NCIS boasts some seriously impressive longevity, it still draws some impressive ratings and
brings in huge guest stars.
Much of the appeal comes from its impressive cast, as actors like Mark Harmon, David McCallum,
and Pauley Perrette have done a great job of creating rounded, dynamic characters.
Even though NCIS is recognized as having a truly great ensemble cast, Mark Harmon is
really the beating heart that ties the show together.
Without his character Gibbs leading the way, much of the charm of NCIS would be gone.
However, there are plenty of other places you can catch Harmon if you want to see him
in a different role.
On the television side of things, Harmon had a major role on the forgotten '80s series
Flamingo Road, and he appeared in about half of the episodes of St. Elsewhere, as well
as a crucial arc in the acclaimed hit Moonlighting.
And in the 1990s, you could catch him on Reasonable Doubts and Chicago Hope.
On the movie side of things, Harmon's had roles in a few major films like Fear and Loathing
in Las Vegas and Natural Born Killers.
He also starred with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in 2003's Freaky Friday.
"Mr. Dude, you rock!"
Besides Mark Harmon, only one actor has appeared in every single episode of NCIS.
That actor is David McCallum, who plays Donald "Ducky" Mallard, the team's medical examiner.
McCallum was born in 1933 and landed his first credited role when he was 20, so he's been
in the game a long time.
McCallum has appeared on several television shows, but his biggest starring television
role was Illya Kuryakin on The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
McCallum earned a Golden Globe nomination for the role, later going on to appear on
the '80s sci-fi series Sapphire & Steel.
McCallum played "Steel" opposite Joanna Lumley as "Sapphire."
And on the movie side of things, although he’s appeared in several films, the one
he’s most known for is The Great Escape.
Sean Murray, who plays McGee on the show, doesn't actually have a ton of credits to
his name, unless you count the fact that he's appeared in 382 episodes of the series.
Only Mark Harmon and David McCallum, who have appeared in every single episode, have been
in more.
Murray mostly worked as a child actor before hitting the big time on NCIS, but there are
probably a few things you've seen him in.
In the early 1990s, Murray had a few major roles to his credit, including roles in Harts
of the West and This Boy's Life.
However, what most people will recognize Murray from is Hocus Pocus, in which he played Thackery
Binx, although the character was actually voiced by James Marsden.
Pauley Perrette's NCIS character, Abby, is one of the most recognizable characters on
the show.
Her jet black hair, complete with bangs and pigtails, and general goth style help her
stand out on the team.
"Am I unbuttoned, or ripped?
Are my ponytails crooked?
Why is everyone staring at me today?"
Outside of NCIS, Perrette’s done quite a bit of voice work as characters like Lois
Lane in Superman vs. The Elite, The Crimson Witch in Scooby-Doo!
And Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery, and Nickleby in Fantasy Hospital.
She’s also had small roles in several bigger shows and films, so if you keep your eyes
open you'll spot her.
She's in Almost Famous, 2002’s The Ring, Dawson's Creek, 24, and The Drew Carey Show.
Michael Weatherly's character on NCIS, Anthony DiNozzo, serves as frequent comedic relief
on a show that regularly focuses on dramatic storylines and serious crimes.
His character left the series in 2013 for family reasons, but in reality, Weatherly
seemingly left because he was given the chance to headline his own show.
After leaving NCIS, it wasn't long before Weatherly showed back up on television as
the title character in Bull.
The actor's quick wit and charisma are on full display as trial consultant and psychology
expert Jason Bull.
Outside of those two shows, though, Weatherly hasn't had many major roles in big television
or film projects.
He starred in the two-season run of Dark Angel, and made small appearances on shows like Jesse,
Charmed, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Ally McBeal.
Brian Dietzen plays Dr. James Palmer on NCIS, and he recently stepped in to take over for
Ducky as the team's chief medical examiner.
His easy going demeanor helps to alleviate some of the tension on the team, especially
considering the grim circumstances he's often working under.
Outside of NCIS, though, Dietzen hasn’t done a ton of major shows or movies.
When you look through Dietzen's credits, not many things jump out at you.
A few of the things Dietzen has appeared in include the films Nowhere to Hide, Congratulations,
Karaoke Man, and a short film called One Minute Time Machine.
However, his debut film may ring a few bells for you.
He had appeared on TV a few times, but Dietzen's big screen debut came in the film From Justin
to Kelly, the movie that starred the winner and runner-up of the first season of American
Idol.
Clearly, Dietzen has had quite a step up in his career since then.
Rocky Carroll has the look and voice that guarantee he'll be landing acting roles for
years.
He plays Leon Vance, the director of the NCIS, and he fits perfectly into the role as the
overseeing leader of the team.
But Carroll also has quite a few other performances you might have seen.
Carroll has done quite a bit of voice work.
You can hear him in a few different films as Silas Stone in various DC Comics adaptations,
and he voiced Talon on Gargoyles.
And while arguably the biggest thing Carroll has appeared in is probably 1995's Crimson
Tide, he's shown up in a few other big movies, too, including Yes Man, The Immortal Life
of Henrietta Lacks, and The Ladies Man.
Wilmer Valderrama is the newest series regular on this list, he joined the cast of NCIS as
Nick Torres in 2016.
Valderrama has been a television mainstay for years, and is one of the few regulars
who is better known for a role outside of NCIS.
Valderrama's debut role as exchange student Fez in That 70s Show actually propelled him
to stardom.
His role on NCIS is quite the swerve from his goofy Fez persona, but Valderrama has
actually made a point of taking roles that differ from Fez, probably to avoid being typecast.
Valderrama has had several high-profile television roles since then, appearing on shows like
The Ranch, Grey’s Anatomy, Raising Hope, and Awake.
He’s also done some animated voicework in Disney projects like Onward and Handy Manny.
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