For more than a decade, NCIS fans have been captivated by the fiery chemistry between Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo). Their will-they-won’t-they romance defined some of the most iconic moments of the CBS hit, and now, with the long-awaited Paramount+ spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva set to premiere, the beloved duo is finally returning to the spotlight.
But away from the cameras, Weatherly and de Pablo’s friendship has proven to be just as powerful as the relationship they once brought to life on screen. Recently, Weatherly revealed a deeply personal story about how his co-star supported him during one of the most painful chapters of his life: the death of his father.
A Loss Far From Home
In August 2024, Weatherly’s father, Michael Manning Weatherly Sr., passed away. A former Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Manning Sr. later became the leading U.S. distributor of the Swiss Army Knife throughout the 1970s and 1980s. His adventurous spirit and business success left a lasting mark, not only on his family but on a generation of consumers.
Weatherly, who was filming NCIS: Tony & Ziva abroad when he received the devastating phone call, was left reeling. “It’s 8 o’clock in the morning. I’ve slept two hours. I might’ve had a very big bottle of wine the night before,” he recalled in an interview with TV Insider. “Cote came over and gave me a big hug when she found out the night before. I felt very taken care of.”
Cote de Pablo Steps In
De Pablo, who has worked with Weatherly on and off for nearly two decades, understood the gravity of the moment. “He wasn’t with family. He was abroad. And all of a sudden, he just gets a phone call,” she explained. “So, what do you do? You don’t have your wife, your kids, no sister, nothing.”
Her presence filled that void, offering Weatherly comfort in the way only a true friend could. It was a reminder that while fans see Tony and Ziva as an inseparable team on screen, the bond between the actors themselves runs just as deep.
A Shared History That Resonates
Weatherly later honored his father publicly with a heartfelt post on X, sharing a nostalgic photo and writing:
“My father Michael Manning Weatherly passed away last Thursday and he leaves behind many loved ones who will miss him. A great friend to me in my adult years, Dad led a life of adventure and great humor. He brought the Swiss Army Knife to huge success in the 70s and 80s along with my mom. If you ever used one, I know he’d thank you.”
It was a rare moment of vulnerability from the actor, one that reminded fans that behind Tony’s witty charm and bravado is a man who has weathered profound personal loss.
Looking Ahead: Tony & Ziva
Against this backdrop of real-life challenges, the reunion of Tony and Ziva in their spinoff feels even more poignant. NCIS: Tony & Ziva picks up after Ziva’s supposed death and Tony’s departure from the NCIS team to raise their daughter, Tali, in Paris. Now, years later, the family’s fragile peace is shattered when Tony’s security company is attacked, forcing them to go on the run across Europe.
Though the show promises thrilling action, at its heart is a story about trust, love, and family — themes that resonate even more when considering the real-life connection between its two stars.
As Weatherly and de Pablo bring Tony and Ziva back to life, fans are reminded that sometimes the strongest bonds are the ones forged off-screen, in moments of loss, resilience, and quiet support.
