Donald P. Bellisario is entering his 90s in style by staging the ultimate off-screen crossover event.
As creator of the original Quantum Leap (in 1989), JAG (in 1995) and the JAG offshoot NCIS (in 2003), and co-creator of the original Magnum, P.I. (in 1980), there was no shortage of stars to help Bellisario celebrate his 90th birthday on Sunday. And there are photos to prove it!
For one, we got the NCIS introduction we long have waited for, between badasses “Ziva David” and “Jessica Knight,” as Katrina Law shared photo booth snaps of her with franchise vet/upcoming NCIS: Tony & Ziva co-stars Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly. Plus, we got shots of NCIS co-stars Sean Murray, Brian Dietzen and portions of Gary Cole and Diona Reasonover
Catherine Bell, who played JAG’s Sarah “Mac” MacKenzie, shared photos with Patrick Labyorteaux (Budrick “Bud” Roberts, Jr.) and Karri Turner (Lieutenant Harriet Sims), as well as Steven Culp (CIA Officer Clayton Webb).
Bell also explained that just as she was unable to join JAG co-lead David James Elliott at Bellisario’s 80th birthday party, Elliott was unable to make it to this decade’s soiree; ergo, no new “Mac and Harm” photos.
Quantum Leap vet and NCIS: New Orleans front man Scott Bakula was also on hand, and can be heard giving a speech about the man of the hour in one of Bell’s videos.
“We’re here tonight, because Donald Paul Bellisario is a fighter… and a lover,” Bakula’s speech began, before launching into an anecdote about Bellisario’s humble beginnings in rural Pennsylvania.
