SHORT TAKES : Attorney-Actor’s Careers Collide

Attorney Fred Thompson was in court and had to miss the opening of “Days of Thunder” to see his performance as an auto racing magnate.

Thompson also may be too busy this week to see the premiere of “Die Hard 2: Die Harder,” in which he plays an embattled air traffic controller.

Thompson, who makes a hobby of playing no-nonsense characters, was trying to settle a civil matter in Dallas and New Orleans when “Days of Thunder,” starring Tom Cruise, opened.

The attorney’s specialty is defending people accused of white-collar crimes. He has offices in Nashville and Washington.