On September 23, 2003, NCIS made its formal debut, introducing us to Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, who would go on to win our hearts for 19 seasons. It’s understandable that we’re feeling sentimental about our favorite characters that we’ve come to know and love after having so many agents grace our screens for the past 20 years. Looking back, we can see how old the NCIS cast members were when they first appeared on the show.
We’ve seen a lot of different agents join Gibbs’ squad over the course of the last 20 years. Michael Weatherly’s character, Agent Tony DiNozzo, has been around from the beginning, and Agent Kate Todd was first introduced to us in the pilot episode. Agent Timothy McGee, the last surviving agent from the initial group, eventually joined and has been a part of the squad since season 1. Although he is not the only cast member from season 1 still alive, he is by far the longest-running member of Gibbs’ core team of agents.
Even though we no longer get to see all of our favorites from the beginning, we still look back fondly at the memories made from watching them grow on screen. So how old was the cast versus now? Here’s what we know!
NCIS cast ages
How old was Mark Harmon when he joined NCIS?
We first met Agent Leroy Gibbs in an episode of JAG, as it was the show that NCIS was spun off from. It aired in 2003, the same year that NCIS would eventually premiere. Born on Sept. 2, 1951, Harmon was 52 when the actual pilot episode of the series began. Even though Harmon left the show in 2019, he still is involved behind the scenes as an executive producer. He just celebrated turning 72 in September 2023.
How old was Michael Weatherly when he joined NCIS?
Michael Weatherly, who was a member of Gibbs’ team when he also made an appearance in the JAG episode that inspired the spinoff, also played Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo from the very beginning. Weatherly, who was born on July 8th, 1968, was 35 years old when the episode first aired. Weatherly last appeared on NCIS in 2016. He left at the end of season 13 so that DiNozzo could care for Tali, whose mother Ziva was thought to have died. Weatherly is 55 years old today.
How old was Sasha Alexander when she joined NCIS?
Sasha Alexander played Agent Kate Todd, who unfortunately lost her life at the end of season 2. Having joined the team in the pilot episode, Kate continues to be a beloved figure among fans and everyone in the series. Born on May 17, 1973, Alexander was 30 years old when the series premiered. Today, she is 50 years old.
How old was Sean Murray when he joined NCIS?
Sean Murray may not have been seen in the pilot episode, but he did join NCIS in the season 1, episode 7 episode “Sub Rosa.” The episode introduced us to Agent Timothy McGee and he would appear in multiple episodes of season 1 before officially becoming part of the team.
Born on Nov. 15, 1977, Murray was 26 when his episode first premiered. Murray is currently the longest running cast member to continue appearing on screen. He is 45 years old at the time of this writing.
How old was Pauley Perrette when she joined NCIS?
Also appearing in the JAG episode that introduced us to the team, Pauley Perrette played forensic scientist Abigail Sciuto from the pilot episode until she left the series in season 15. Born on March 27, 1969, Perrette was 34 years old in the pilot episode and today, she is 54 years old.
How old was Brian Dietzen when he joined NCIS?
Brian Dietzen has played the beloved Dr. Jimmy Palmer since he joined the cast at the end of season 1 in 2004. Born on Nov. 14, 1977, he was 26 at the time his first episode aired in May, 2004. Just like Sean Murray, he also continues to be one of the longest running cast members since season 1, even though neither men appeared from the pilot episode.
Today, Dietzen is currently 45 years old.
How old was Cote de Pablo when she joined NCIS?
Cote de Pablo debuted on the program in season 3 as Mossad Agent Ziva David, whose brother Ari Haswari had murdered NCIS Agent Kate Todd. Ziva eventually joined Gibbs’ crew and remained with the show until season 11, when she briefly returned after her character was assumed to be dead. De Pablo, who was 25 when season 3, episode 1 debuted and first introduced us to Ziva, was born on November 12, 1979. She is 43 years old right now.
How old was Emily Wickersham when she joined NCIS?
Emily Wickersham played Eleanor Bishop, who was an NSA agent who would eventually join Gibbs’ team after Ziva’s departure. Born on April 26, 1984, she joined the show in 2013 during its 11th season, making her 29 years old. Bishop was a part of the show until 2021, when she left the show just before season 18 ended. Today, she is 39 years old.
How old was Rocky Carroll when he joined NCIS?
Rocky Carroll has played NCIS Director Leon Vance since season 5, appearing in the 2008 episode “Internal Affairs.” Born on July 8, 1963, he was 45 years old when he joined the series. He has continued to play our beloved Vance since and is currently 60 years old.
How old was David McCallum when he joined NCIS?
David McCallum has also been on the series since the pilot aired, introducing us to Medical Examiner Doctor Donald “Ducky” Mallard. Even though McCallum has since taken on a smaller role, we still get to see Ducky from time to time in a consulting position when the team needs his guidance. Born on Sept. 19, 1933, he was 70 years old. He just celebrated his 90th birthday in 2023 and he passed away on September 25, 2023, at 90 years old. His legacy is vast, as he had a long and amazing career, even beyond TV and film.
How old was Wilmer Valderrama when he joined NCIS?
Playing Special Agent Nick Torres, Valderrama joined the show in 2016 when he appeared in the season 14 premiere episode, “Rogue.” Born on Jan. 30, 1980, he was 36 when he joined the series. Today, he is 43 years old.
How old was Katrina Law when she joined NCIS?
After Emily Wickersham left the team in season 18, Katrina Law joined as REACT Agent Jessica Knight. She was 35 years old at the time of her debut and was born on September 30, 1985. A year from now, at the end of September 2023, she will turn 38.
How old was Gary Cole when he joined NCIS?
After Mark Harmon left the show, Alden Parker, who would take over for Gibbs, was cast as a replacement by Gary Cole. He was 65 years old when he entered in season 19, having been born on September 20, 1956. He is 67 years old right now.