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NCIS marked its historic 500th episode with one of the most shocking twists in the series’ long run — the death of Director Leon Vance. After nearly two decades on the show, Rocky Carroll confirmed the decision wasn’t his own.
According to Carroll, executive producer Steven D. Binder personally shared the storyline with him, explaining that Vance would sacrifice his life to save the agency from collapse. While the moment surprised the actor, he quickly realized the story would leave a powerful impact on fans.
Episode 500 sees NCIS temporarily shut down and absorbed into Army CID, forcing major career changes across the team. But in uncovering the truth behind the sabotage, Vance ensures the agency survives — even though he doesn’t.
Carroll described the milestone episode as a “love letter” to his character, saying he felt proud to close out such a meaningful 18-season journey on one of television’s biggest shows.