Among the company's motivations to settle before a trial would be to avoid the higher end of that range, which U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier could impose if he ruled the company acted with gross negligence before the well blowout on April 10, 2010, that triggered an explosion, killing 11 workers and spawning the nation's worst offshore oil spill.

NPR: BP Civil Settlement Remains Elusive As Trial Nears

He acted with his creased brow, his jagged bone structure, and his narrowed eyes, as well as with the muscles in his chest, shoulders, and neck.

NEWYORKER: Mr. Majestyk

Thompson has acted in more than 30 films, including The Hunt for Red October, and he is well-known for playing the character Arthur Branch on the highly rated Law and Order television program.

NPR: Thompson on Heels of Frontrunners, Adviser Says