For 13 seasons, Michael Weatherly brought Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo to life on NCIS, turning the wisecracking investigator into one of television’s most beloved characters. From his first appearance in 2003 to his emotional exit in 2016—and a surprise cameo in 2024—Weatherly has spent decades intertwined with the DNA of the world’s most-watched procedural drama.
But while fans often focus on DiNozzo’s bromance with Gibbs (Mark Harmon) or his “will-they-won’t-they” romance with Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), Weatherly himself lights up when talking about something else: the legendary roster of guest stars who stepped into the NCIS universe over the years.
Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE at a New York City screening for his new Paramount+ spinoff, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, the actor reflected on some of his favorite Hollywood icons to share the screen with.
A Front-Row Seat to Hollywood Legends
“Wow. I mean, there are so many funny stories,” Weatherly said, pausing as if trying to mentally shuffle through two decades of star power. “Charles Durning was a really amazing guest star. Bob Newhart was hilarious… and I got to watch him do something that—well, it’s too long a story for here, but I’ve probably told it somewhere. It taught me something too.”
Durning, best known for Dog Day Afternoon and Tootsie, left an indelible mark during his Emmy-nominated season 2 appearance as a Marine veteran. For Weatherly, it was a chance to watch a master class in character acting unfold on the NCIS set.
And then came Bob Newhart. The comedy legend—who passed away in 2024 at age 94—played former NCIS Chief Medical Examiner Walter Magnus in season 8. His dry wit and effortless timing had a lasting impact on Weatherly. “He was hilarious,” Weatherly recalled warmly, adding that Newhart’s time on set showed him “a whole new way to play with comedy in drama.”
The Father-Son Connection
Of all the guest stars, none became more central to DiNozzo’s story than Robert Wagner. The Hollywood veteran appeared in 13 episodes as Tony DiNozzo Sr., blending charm, troublemaking, and fatherly affection in equal measure.
For Weatherly, Wagner’s casting carried a special kind of serendipity: years earlier, he had portrayed a young Wagner in the 2004 TV movie The Mystery of Natalie Wood.
“Robert Wagner became the guest star that recurred as my father,” Weatherly said. “We got to meet so many Hollywood royalty. Lily Tomlin. Just so many people. It’s hard to pick a favorite.”
The two remained close off-screen as well. In 2018, Weatherly even shared a photo of them catching up, captioning it: “Hanging #oldschool with the incomparable Robert Wagner last night. Beautiful, baby.”
A Guest Star Hall of Fame
Over the years, NCIS welcomed an impressive roster that could rival any red-carpet lineup. Jamie Lee Curtis popped up as Dr. Samantha Ryan, Zac Efron made an early-career guest appearance, Millie Bobby Brown stole scenes long before Stranger Things, and Taye Diggs brought gravitas to a military case.
Each brought something different, but for Weatherly, the collective impact was clear: these actors elevated NCIS from a procedural into a showcase of Hollywood history.
From NCIS to Tony & Ziva
Now, Weatherly is once again inhabiting DiNozzo in NCIS: Tony & Ziva, the highly anticipated spinoff on Paramount+. Reuniting with Cote de Pablo, the series follows Tony and Ziva as they race across Europe after learning someone is targeting them and their daughter.
The synopsis teases that the couple must “learn to trust each other again so they can finally have their unconventional happily ever after.” For longtime fans, it’s a chance to see two of the franchise’s most iconic characters back in action—and for Weatherly, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the wild ride that started with Gibbs’ team two decades ago.
“Honestly, when I think back, I just feel lucky,” Weatherly admitted. “Lucky to have played Tony for so long, lucky to work with Cote again, and lucky that I got to meet so much Hollywood royalty along the way.”
The Legacy of a TV Icon
As NCIS gears up for its 23rd season this fall and its universe continues to expand with spinoffs like Origins and Tony & Ziva, Weatherly’s reflections remind us of what made the original series special: a blend of sharp storytelling, unforgettable characters, and a guest list that blurred the line between procedural drama and Hollywood history lesson.
For Weatherly, those guest stars weren’t just colleagues—they were teachers, mentors, and, in some cases, family. And for fans, they’re part of the enduring magic that keeps NCIS alive after more than two decades.
