From fan-favorite heartthrob to controversy-laden headlines, NCIS alum Michael Weatherly has lived a career full of highs, lows, and headline-making moments. With over three decades in the entertainment industry, the actor has become one of television’s most recognizable faces — first as Special Agent Tony DiNozzo in NCIS, and later as Dr. Jason Bull in CBS’s legal drama Bull. But beyond the charm and charisma lies a complex story of ambition, reinvention, and public reckoning.
From Soap Operas to Stardom
Before becoming a primetime staple, Weatherly cut his teeth on daytime dramas like Loving and Guiding Light. He even played Rodney Dangerfield’s son in the 1997 comedy Meet Wally Sparks. But it was his roles on Dark Angel — where he met then-fiancée Jessica Alba — and later NCIS, that made him a household name. For 13 seasons, he portrayed the wisecracking DiNozzo, winning over millions of viewers around the world.
A Young Romance, A High-Profile Engagement
Weatherly’s relationship with Jessica Alba began on the set of Dark Angel when he was 30 and she was just 18. The pair got engaged, but the relationship ended in 2003. Alba later reflected on their age gap and career overlap in a Cosmopolitan interview, admitting it was “really, really, really difficult to have the same occupation as the person you’re with.”
The Music Man
Few fans know that Weatherly is also a musician. A talented guitarist and pianist, he’s written songs that have appeared on NCIS soundtracks, including “Under the Sun,” a track inspired by co-star Cote de Pablo’s departure. “It has a strange group of meanings,” Weatherly said of the song. “A whole cluster of ideas about existential journeys and self-examination.”
A Diet Wake-Up Call… and Five Split Pants
While juggling long filming hours and tempting on-set snacks, Weatherly admitted to gaining weight during his NCIS tenure — at one point splitting five pairs of pants in a single season. He eventually dropped 35 pounds with the help of a trainer and a strict low-carb diet. “Even the writers made jokes about Tony needing to go on a cleanse,” he joked to People.
Trouble Off-Camera: A DUI and a Wake-Up Call
In 2015, Weatherly faced a real-life brush with the law when he was arrested in Hollywood for DUI. He spent nearly 15 hours in jail and later pled no contest, receiving probation and completing a mandatory alcohol education program. It was a humbling moment for the actor, who largely kept a low profile afterward.
A Scandal That Shook His Career
One of the most significant turning points in Weatherly’s career came in 2018, when The New York Times reported that actress Eliza Dushku had received a $9.5 million settlement from CBS after alleging she was fired from Bull for speaking out about sexual harassment on set — claims she said were specifically tied to Weatherly.
Weatherly publicly apologized, stating: “When Eliza told me that she wasn’t comfortable with my language and attempt at humor, I was mortified… what I said was both not funny and not appropriate.” Dushku, however, called CBS’s narrative “deceptive” and accused the actor and network executives of retaliating against her.
The fallout was swift. Executive producer Steven Spielberg and Amblin Entertainment cut ties with Bull following the report.
Support Amid Controversy
Despite the backlash, some of Weatherly’s former NCIS co-stars publicly defended him. Pauley Perrette tweeted, “This man… I love, respect, trust, and I KNOW. TWO decades of friendship and respect. The best.” Sasha Alexander also expressed support before later deleting her tweet.
Moving On from DiNozzo
Weatherly’s 2016 departure from NCIS stunned fans. “I felt I’d stayed at the party for too long,” he said, explaining that his on-screen dynamic had shifted, particularly following Cote de Pablo’s exit. But Weatherly didn’t stay away from television for long. Just months later, he returned to CBS in Bull — a legal drama inspired by Dr. Phil McGraw’s early career.
Though the series eventually ran for six seasons, the shadow of Dushku’s allegations lingered, complicating the actor’s professional legacy.
Still a “Real Live Boy”
Reflecting on his post-NCIS career, Weatherly once quoted Pinocchio: “I’m a real live boy!” It was a symbolic moment for an actor eager to grow beyond his longtime TV persona. Whether fans see him next behind a camera, in front of it, or composing another song, one thing’s for certain: Michael Weatherly’s story — like the man himself — is anything but ordinary.
