Tony DiNozzo, played by Michael Weatherly, was a longtime fan favorite on “NCIS” owing to his humorous commentary and entertaining attitude, and his departure was a major blow to the program.
Weatherly played DiNozzo from season one to season thirteen.
He collaborated with the original cast, which included Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Pauley Perrette as Abby Sciuto, Sean Murray as Timothy McGee, and Sasha Alexander as Caitlin Todd.
A Farewell to Michael Weatherly from Mark Harmon
Many characters have come and gone throughout the course of the last 18 seasons. Others simply left permanently, while others eventually returned in regular or guest roles. Some even d1ed irreversibly on the show, ensuring no future reunion.
Mark Harmon is the star and executive producer of “NCIS.” When Weatherly left, he reflected on his final moments with his 13-year-old co-star. Harmon kept it as quick and impersonal as possible, in true Gibbs form.
“Mark is always gracious and gentlemanly, but, like his character, he is a functional mute.” He was quite succinct.
He responded, ‘Thank you and good luck,’ which I admired for its simplicity and greatly appreciated that he was offering his handshake and support… “Mark is a very old-fashioned, old-school gentleman, and I’ve learned a great deal at his side, and I look forward to the future, taking a lot of that Mark Harmon wisdom with me,” Weatherly told Parade in 2016.
Weatherly appears to have formed a strong bond with Harmon, much like his long-running role on “NCIS.”
Mark Harmon also commented on Michael Weatherly’s departure from the show. “You don’t spend 13 years with someone and not miss them,” he told Mashable. That’s insane to think.”
Leaving NCIS and Pursuing a Career
So, why did Weatherly depart the show after around 13 years?
Weatherly told The Hollywood Reporter in 2016 that “NCIS” has merely run its course in his life.
“It happened at the right time.” NCIS had worn me down, and I was ready for a fresh challenge. Sometimes a change is just as wonderful as a rest… “It felt like a circle had gone all the way around, and I was really happy with the resolution of the character and my time on the show,” Weatherly said.
He was also given the opportunity to take on a new role immediately after departing “NCIS” in 2016. He is the star of CBS’s “Bull” television series.
According to IMDb, his new character in the show is “Brilliant, brash, and charming, Dr. Bull is the ultimate puppet master as he combines psychology, human intuition, and high-tech data to learn what makes jurors, attorneys, witnesses, and the accused tick.”
In addition, he directed two episodes of the show. Likewise, he directed two episodes of “NCIS.”
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