The former US senator and actor, Fred Thompson, has declared himself a candidate for the Republican nomination for next year's US Presidential election.
Mr Thompson, best known for his role in the TV series 'Law and Order', is already scoring highly in opinion polls.
Fred Thompson first mooted the possibility he might run in March this year and has effectively been running as an undeclared candidate for the Republican nomination ever since.
He made his announcement on a late night TV chat show and on his campaign website last night.
Ads for his campaign ran during a Fox News debate in New Hampshire last night, which Mr Thompson did not attend.
Fred Thompson served for two terms as senator for the state of Tennessee and is considered a conservative.
He has also worked as a lobbyist.
Several opinion polls have already ranked him amongst the top three contenders for the Republican nomination, which will be decided in February.
