‘Law and Order’ Fans Call Sam Waterston A "Legend" After Seeing His Final Episode

It's official, Law and Order fans: Jack McCoy has left the courtroom.

After almost three decades, 19 seasons and more than 400 episodes, viewers said goodbye to Sam Waterston on the February 22 episode. Appropriately titled "The Last Dance," the adrenaline-filled installment saw the district attorney return to the courtroom for the last time, as he assisted in a case involving a high-profile tech billionaire accused of murdering a woman in Central Park. When McCoy and assistant district attorney Nolan Price (Hugh Dancy) try to subpoena the son of Mayor Payne (Bruce Altman) as a witness for the trial, Payne threatens not to support McCoy's re-election as DA and smear Price's name in the process.

With the warning looming over McCoy's head, he decides to do the one thing that feels right to him. He saves Price by taking over the case, convinces the jury that the billionaire did commit the murder, and decides to resign so Payne can't go after Price in the future.

"I’ve been thinking about this for a while. It’s time. It just is," he said. "If I step aside now, the governor will be able to appoint someone with integrity. It’s been a hell of a ride."

As McCoy's final episode wrapped, fans took to social media to commend Sam for all the years he spent portraying the iconic TV character.

"I can’t believe it’s Sam Waterston’s last episode. I feel like he has been a part of my life. Thank you Jack McCoy for always fighting for what is right," one person wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). "Jack McCoy ladies and gentlemen. Gonna miss seeing you on my screen after all of these years! Thanks for entertaining us @samwaterston," another penned. "He's the legend, the genius of the law. Sam Waterston we will miss you," a different follower added.

As viewers know, Sam announced his exit from Law and Order on February 2, with Variety revealing Scandal alum Tony Goldwyn will take Sam's place as the new district attorney. When speaking on The Today Show about his time playing McCoy, Sam expressed that he was proud of the way the show sent him off.

"I knew I was gonna leave when I came back," he shared during a February 21 taping. "It was just a matter of when, and this was a beautiful way to go."

Congrats, Sam on the incredible run, and we'll miss you.

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