[3] Thompson originated the role of Shanty Mulligan in the 1969 Pulitzer Prize winning play No Place to Be Somebody[3][7][8][9][10] by Charles Gordone.

[11][12] In his review for The New York Times, Mel Gussow wrote that Thompson was "splendid" in his role.

[13] Thompson won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for his 1973 theatre lead performance in the play Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?

"[15] Thompson did a dramatic portrayal of Henry David Thoreau on the 1976 NBC television series The Rebels.

[18][19][20] Thompson died at his apartment in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, on April 13, 2024, at the age of 83.