The Lincoln Presidential Foundation will honor legendary actor Sam Waterston with the prestigious 2025 Lincoln Leadership Prize.
The Lincoln Leadership Prize, to be presented during an in-person dinner at Four Seasons Chicago on April 21, 2025, is an annual award that recognizes notable individuals for a lifetime of exceptional service in the spirit of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. The award honors individuals who accept the responsibilities imposed by history and demanded by conscience, who show great strength of character, and who exhibit an unwavering commitment to the defining principles of democracy.
Sam Waterston is renowned for his remarkable career in film, television, and theater. An Emmy Award winner with a career spanning decades, Waterston has garnered numerous accolades, including Golden Globe, SAG, Oscar, and Tony Award nominations. He is widely recognized for his portrayal of President Abraham Lincoln in the critically acclaimed play Abe Lincoln in Illinois, which earned him a Tony nomination, as well as in other productions that have brought Lincoln’s legacy to life.
Waterston’s contributions to the arts are matched by his dedication to humanitarian causes. He has served as Board Chair of Oceana, the world’s largest ocean-focused NGO, and has been a member of the Board of Refugees International, advocating for the rights of displaced individuals around the world.
“Sam Waterston’s work, both on-screen and in service to others, embodies the values we honor through the Lincoln Leadership Prize,” said Charles Bobrinskoy, Board Chair of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation. “Through his portrayals of Lincoln, he has reminded us why the president is remembered as a master orator, arts enthusiast, and a staunch defender of the law. His dedication to causes concerning the environment and humanity makes him an ideal recipient.”
“Put simply, for the millions who have experienced his portrayals on stage, screen, and the airwaves, Sam Waterston is the voice of Abraham Lincoln,” said Erin Carlson Mast, CEO of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation. “We are proud to honor his contributions to the arts, his advocacy, and his embodiment of our 16th President.”
“I’m honored to receive the Lincoln Leadership Prize,” said Sam Waterston. “It’s uncanny how much Lincoln—his speeches, political ideas, values, and the conflicts of his time—are so relevant to the challenges we face today. This honor could not have come at a more meaningful moment.”
The Lincoln Leadership Prize has been awarded annually since 2006. Past recipients include: Jon Meacham, Jim Reynolds, Mellody Hobson, David Rubenstein, George W. Bush, Tony Blair, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Doris Kearns Goodwin, The Little Rock Nine, Steven Spielberg, Bill Clinton, Lech Walesa, Tim Russert, James Lovell Jr., Desmond Tutu, and Sandra Day O’Connor.
The Lincoln Leadership Prize event is the primary fundraiser for the Lincoln Presidential Foundation. For more information about the Lincoln Leadership Prize, please visit www.lincolnpresidential.org. For tickets and/or table sponsorship information please contact Phyllis Evans at pevans@lincolnpresidential.org.
About Sam Waterston
Recently Sam starred in the Emmy-winning limited series THE DROPOUT, where he portrayed the polarizing figure ‘George Shultz,’ opposite Amanda Seyfried. Additionally, he was a lead opposite Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Martin Sheen on the Emmy-nominated Netflix Original series GRACE AND FRANKIE, which ran for seven seasons making it the longest-running Netflix Original series. Sam also co-starred alongside Jeff Daniels and Emily Mortimer in the Aaron Sorkin HBO series THE NEWSROOM. Sam is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Jack McCoy on the iconic LAW AND ORDER franchise. Waterston’s film career includes starring roles in The Great Gatsby, The Killing Fields (for which he earned an Academy Award nomination), and Woody Allen’s Interiors, Hannah and Her Sisters, and September. His theater work includes acclaimed performances in productions like Hamlet, King Lear, The Tempest, A Doll’s House, and Abe Lincoln in Illinois.
For more information, contact Phyllis Evans at (217) 557-5610 or pevans@lincolnpresidential.org.