32 Actors Who’ve Popped Up On NCIS

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

As a fan of television and its diverse cast members, I am always intrigued to learn about the careers and journeys of actors who have graced our screens with their talents. In this article, we explore the fascinating lives and careers of several actors who have appeared on NCIS over the years, each bringing their unique charm and skills to the show.


After being on the air as long as NCIS has, it’s no surprise that many well-known actors have made appearances or started their careers with the show. A number of today’s biggest stars have graced the screens of this long-running CBS crime drama. Here is a selection of some stars who have been part of NCIS:

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Millie Bobby Brown

Before Millie Bobby Brown gained stardom as Eleven in Stranger Things, she was consistently working from an early age. One of her earliest appearances on American television was in Episode 6 of Season 12 of NCIS, dating back to 2014. Prior to that role, she had limited experience in the industry.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Glen Powell

Glen Powell has risen to become one of the most prominent actors today. His initial major breakthrough was in the film ‘Top Gun Maverick’, which propelled him into A-list status, but it’s important to note that he had been an active actor for decades prior to this, with roles dating back to his childhood years. One of his early adult roles was in Season 10 of NCIS, where he portrayed a Marine character across two episodes.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Lily Tomlin

On NCIS, you’d never guess which familiar face might drop by. In Season 9, viewers were in for a treat with the unexpected arrival of the esteemed Lily Tomlin. She brought her unique charm to the role of McGee’s (Sean Murray) eccentric yet capable grandmother.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Billy Dee Williams

1. In Season 10, fans finally found out why Gibbs (Mark Harmon) was named Jethro. The character of Jethro Moore, played by Billy Dee Williams, appeared as a World War II hero and close friend of Gibbs’ father. There had been a rift between them in the past, but by the end of the episode, the younger Gibbs managed to reconcile their differences.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Jamie Lee Curtis

1. In an unexpected turn, Jamie Lee Curtis had more than a brief appearance on the series. Across five episodes towards the end of Season 9, she portrayed Dr. Samantha Ryan, who seemed to be a potential love interest for Gibbs. Sadly, their relationship didn’t develop as planned, and her character vanished from the show without further mention.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Terry O’Quinn

Initially, as NCIS was gaining popularity, another show was preparing for its television premiere: Lost. Interestingly, several actors who later gained fame from their roles on Lost also appeared in NCIS around the same period. Notably, Terry O’Quinn, known as John Locke in Lost, portrayed a Marine Colonel in an episode during the first season of NCIS.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Danica McKellar

Danica McKellar is most recognized for her role as Winnie Cooper in “The Wonder Years.” She additionally shone in “The West Wing” with a notable stint as Will’s sister. In the second season of “NCIS,” she made an appearance, starring as the crime witness in the episode titled “Witness.” Post that, McKellar has established a niche for herself in made-for-TV Christmas films and continues to be beloved by her audience.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Sean Astin

Sean Astin has built an exceptional career for himself, with his debut role as Mikey in the iconic film The Goonies being one that is fondly remembered by many. He also starred in the famous trilogy called The Lord of the Rings, which he admitted was something he felt apprehensive about beforehand. Lately, he has been a significant cast member on Stranger Things. Throughout his career, there have been few breaks as he consistently worked, even landing a guest role in Season 9 of NCIS. 

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Taye Diggs

In Season 13, Taye Diggs made a return to his origins. Although he portrays a Marine character, Diggs has a voice that’s as angelic as they come. At the end of the show, he collaborated with the actual MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band to sing “Hallelujah.” It’s worth mentioning that Taye Diggs initially gained fame on Broadway in productions like Carousel and Rent.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Samantha Logan

1. Samantha Logan gained recognition for her roles in Netflix’s “12 Reasons Why” and CW’s “All American,” however, prior to these roles, she portrayed the daughter of a character played by Taye Diggs on “NCIS.” In fact, she started her acting career as early as 2009 at the tender age of 13 with a minor role in “Gossip Girl.”

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Bob Newhart

1. We can certainly talk about the late Bob Newhart, whose television career is legendary. He starred in two highly successful shows that carried his name, and for younger audiences, he’ll forever be remembered as Will Ferrell’s character’s adoptive father from “Elf.” In addition, he made appearances on shows like “NCIS,” playing a role perfectly suited to his talents.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Jon Cryer

Jon Cryer kicked off his acting journey in the 1980s with roles in films such as “Pretty In Pink” and “Morgan Stewart’s Coming Home.” Later, during the 2000s, he gained immense popularity for portraying one of the main characters in the hit TV series “Two and a Half Men.” Additionally, he has made appearances on other shows like “Supergirl,” where he played Lex Luthor, and “NCIS,” in which he acted as a battlefield doctor.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Drew Carey

Drew Carey’s journey in entertainment began with stand-up comedy. After gaining significant success with his self-titled television show, he soared to fame as the host of “The Price is Right.” With an impressive resume that includes a guest appearance on “NCIS” as a retired marine – a role that aligns perfectly with his real-life military background.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama may not be an actress by profession, but she made a guest appearance on NCIS while serving as the First Lady of the United States. In that episode titled “Homefront,” she portrayed herself, making it impossible for her to play any other character.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Abigail Breslin

From my gaming perspective, although Abigail Breslin became widely recognized at age 10 as an Oscar nominee for “Little Miss Sunshine,” her acting journey didn’t start there. In reality, she was already a seasoned actor with several roles under her belt. I remember watching her in a supporting part on NCIS during the Season 2 premiere.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Sterling K. Brown

1. Sterling K. Brown, who has earned both Oscar and Emmy awards, had already established himself as a staple on prime-time TV before his series, “This Is Us,” began touching hearts weekly. In fact, during his rise to fame in Hollywood, he graced numerous network shows, even appearing in an episode of “NCIS” in 2013.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Dean Norris

Dean Norris is best recognized for his role in “Breaking Bad,” yet he has been securing acting jobs for many years. For instance, in the early days of “NCIS,” Norris appeared as a Marine. In the twelve episode of the first season, Norris portrays a soldier who had past conflicts with Gibbs when Gibbs was still serving as an Military Police officer.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Zac Efron

Zac Efron gained massive fame from hits like “High School Musical” and “Neighbors,” yet his stardom built on earlier beginnings. In the third season of “NCIS,” he portrayed a mischievous boy fittingly, marking one of his early roles.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Jesse Plemons

Taking a brief look at Jessie Plemons’ resume reveals a journey to stardom that was marked by persistence rather than an overnight success. Although he later became a leading man and crucial supporting character in major Hollywood films, his beginnings were more modest. For instance, one of his early roles was playing a trouble-making teenager on NCIS, a part that demonstrates his humble start in the industry.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Colin Hanks

I’ve always thought of Tom Hanks as “America’s Dad,” which makes Colin Hanks our collective sibling, doesn’t it? But upon closer reflection, that might not be entirely accurate. However, Colin Hanks has proven himself to be an exceptional actor in his own right. One need only look at his performances on NCIS in the last two episodes of Season 10 as evidence.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Sherilyn Fenn

Back in the ’90s, Sherilyn Fenn was a prominent figure in the hit series Twin Peaks, which made her familiar with television networks. With more than 100 roles listed on IMDB, she’s appeared on numerous shows throughout various channels over the past three decades. Among these credits, one can be found in Season 1 of NCIS.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Josh Holloway

Josh Holloway’s brilliance truly came to the forefront when he joined the cast of “Lost” as Sawyer beginning in the autumn of 2004. Preceding this role, he made an appearance as a local sheriff in the first season of “NCIS”. Following these engagements, Holloway has consistently featured in prominent roles on shows such as “Yellowstone”, “Colony”, and “Intelligence”.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Frank Whaley

1. It’s hard to believe Frank Whaley started acting in the ’80s, and now he’s over 60! Incredibly, it seems like no time has passed since his role in “Career Opportunities” in 1991. Interestingly, Jennifer Connelly, who starred alongside him in that movie, also appears to have defied aging. While Connelly hasn’t appeared on “NCIS,” Whaley has, portraying an escaped convict in one of its episodes.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Jim Rash

Jim Rash is best recognized for his role as the bumbling dean at a community college in the series “Community,” yet he has appeared in numerous other shows. He’s also had roles in some offbeat shows, such as providing voiceovers for “Mike Tyson’s Mysteries” and being a recurring character on “Reno 911!”. Apart from acting, he is a writer, collaborating on the script for George Clooney’s film “The Descendants.” Interestingly, he even found time to appear in an episode of “NCIS” during its very first season.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Julie Benz

Julie Benz made her initial mark on television with her roles in “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and its spinoff “Angel,” portraying Darla. Subsequently, she became a series regular on “Hawaii Five-O” and “Defiance.” In the second-last episode of Season 1 of “NCIS,” Benz appeared as the mourning spouse of a fallen soldier.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Emilie De Ravin

Discovering an interesting fact, NCIS provided an excellent platform for actors from Lost to shine before they achieved massive fame on ABC. Emilie de Ravin is among these talented individuals who graced the screens of NCIS in Season 1, just like her fellow Lost cast members Josh Holloway and Terry O’Quinn did.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Bellamy Young

Prior to her role as a regular cast member on the successful series “Scandal,” Bellamy Young appeared in numerous TV shows. Notably, she featured in two episodes of “Law & Order,” portraying distinct characters, which is a common experience for many actors. In the first season of “NCIS,” Young depicted an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in one episode.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Daphne Zuniga

If you spent your childhood in the 1980s, Daphne Zuniga is forever etched in our minds as Princess Vesper from Mel Brooks’ iconic “Space Balls” and Alison in “The Sure Thing” next to John Cusack. In more recent times, she continues to impress with her acting skills, such as portraying a Navy commander with dubious intentions in an episode of NCIS (Season 17).

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Zoe Perry

In “The Big Bang Theory,” Laurie Metcalf brought Sheldon’s mother to life. When the new series “Young Sheldon” premiered, Zoe Perry stepped in and nailed the role. By that time, she had ample experience under her belt, including two appearances as a police officer in season 13 of “NCIS.”

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Ray Wise

Ray Wise is recognized as one of the remarkable character actors from his generation. He gained significant fame portraying Leland Palmer, a father transformed into a murderer in the series “Twin Peaks,” yet his acting career dates back to the 1960s. In the 15th episode of Season 9 on NCIS, he takes on the role of a man’s father who thinks he’s a superhero, a character type that understandably doesn’t sit well with him.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Tyler Ritter

Tyler Ritter, the son of the late and cherished John Ritter, appears to be quite busy in the acting world. He has portrayed a detective on Arrow, made an appearance in Homecoming, and played the role of Luca, Abby Sciuto’s (Pauley Perrette) brother, in the NCIS crossover event between NCIS and NCIS: New Orleans when the latter was first introduced.

32 Actors Who've Popped Up On NCIS

Don Lake

If you’re a fan of the Christopher Guest films, you’d recognize Don Lake’s face even if you don’t know his name. He’s appeared in “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best In Show,” “A Mighty Wind,” “For Your Consideration,” and “Mascots.” While he often plays the straight man, his humor still shines through. His performance in a Season 17 episode of “NCIS” may be serious, but it’s hard not to smile as he acts on screen.

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2024-07-30 02:38