Every Notable Actor from ‘NCIS’ Franchise Who Died

For decades, the ‘NCIS’ shows have featured countless guest stars and regular actors. Sadly, some of those performers have passed away, but their work continues to be enjoyed in reruns and on streaming services.

This is a tribute to the memorable actors from ‘NCIS’ and its related shows who have passed away. We’ll share how they were involved with the franchise, the characters they played, and how the shows honored them. We’ll also highlight some of their other notable work to remind longtime fans of their careers.

David McCallum

David McCallum, best known for playing Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard on ‘NCIS’, appeared on the show from its very beginning until his last episode after twenty years. He passed away in September 2023 at age 90. In February 2024, ‘NCIS’ paid tribute to both McCallum and his character with a special episode, ‘The Stories We Leave Behind’. The episode featured a case drawn from Ducky’s old files and included both past footage and heartfelt goodbyes from his colleagues on the show.

David McCallum began his career with roles in shows like ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ and a lot of work in theater and voice acting. He continued to appear on ‘NCIS’ well into his nineties, even in a consulting emeritus role as Ducky. The character’s importance to the ‘NCIS’ story is further highlighted by ‘NCIS: Origins,’ which explores Ducky’s early years.

Miguel Ferrer

Miguel Ferrer was a familiar face on ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ for seven seasons, playing Assistant Director Owen Granger. He sadly passed away in January 2017 at the age of 61. The show addressed his character’s departure in the following season, and the storyline included changes to the leadership at the Office of Special Projects as new characters took on more prominent roles.

During Ferrer’s time as director, Agent Granger often worked with Hetty and the field team on dangerous missions. When he left, the show had to adjust, both in front of and behind the camera, bringing in a new assistant director to help the team cope with the loss of such an important leader.

Ralph Waite

Ralph Waite, who played Jackson Gibbs – the father of Leroy Jethro Gibbs – on ‘NCIS’, passed away in February 2014 at the age of 85. The season 11 finale, titled ‘Honor Thy Father’, featured his death as part of the story and acted as a touching tribute to the character, bringing Gibbs back to Stillwater and concluding Jackson’s story arc.

Actor Waite first played the character Jackson in 2008 and quickly became important to understanding the history of the character Gibbs. His last appearance before a recent return aired in November 2013, and the show cleverly said goodbye to his character by weaving in letters, mementos, and memories of his small-town past, connecting these personal details to the investigations featured in each episode.

Ravil Isyanov

Ravil Isyanov, who played the memorable character Anatoli Kirkin on ‘NCIS: Los Angeles,’ passed away in September 2021 at the age of 59. Kirkin, a man connected to the Russian criminal world, appeared in multiple seasons, developing complex relationships – both friendly and hostile – with the NCIS team. His storylines often combined lighthearted moments with the serious dangers of organized crime.

After his death, the show acknowledged his character’s absence, and viewers often rewatched his best episodes from previous seasons. He’s best remembered for his scenes with Deeks and Kensi, and for storylines where his character’s unpredictable allegiances helped solve cases.

Annie Wersching

Annie Wersching appeared in an episode of ‘NCIS’ (season 8, “False Witness”) playing Deputy District Attorney Gail Walsh. She sadly passed away in January 2023 at the age of 45. In the episode, her character was involved in a case where a crucial witness disappeared, and her actions presented the NCIS team with difficult choices as they tried to build a strong case.

Wersching was well-known for her roles on television shows like ‘24’, ‘Bosch’, and ‘Star Trek: Picard’. Her appearance in one episode of ‘NCIS’ perfectly illustrates how the show frequently incorporates other organizations and legal experts into its cases to uncover secrets and expose the challenges of the investigation process.

Gregory Itzin

Gregory Itzin was a familiar face in the ‘NCIS’ universe, first appearing in ‘JAG’ in the late 1990s. He then played Director Charlie in the initial episodes of ‘NCIS’ in 2003 and returned years later in season 17 as Spencer Downing. Itzin passed away in July 2022 at the age of 74. His early role helped set the stage for the show’s political storylines, and his final appearance connected a current case to past events and personal records.

Itzin was frequently cast in television roles as figures of authority, like officials and powerful people, making him well-suited for the show’s military and government themes. His appearances throughout the series followed a clear path, starting with early episodes and culminating in a later, thoughtful case where old records and recollections helped revisit a previously unsolved mystery.

René Auberjonois

René Auberjonois appeared on ‘NCIS’ as Dr. Felix Blackwell in season 10, in an episode called ‘Phoenix.’ He passed away in December 2019 at the age of 79. In that episode, his character was a scientist whose work connected to a medical case the team was investigating, making him crucial to the lab work and raising important ethical issues.

Auberjonois was a seasoned television and voice actor, and his role on ‘NCIS’ was particularly memorable. His character provided crucial insights that moved the plot forward, both in terms of the case itself and the personal stories about taking responsibility and getting another chance.

Chaney Kley

Chaney Kley played the role of Marine Corporal Paul Brinkman in the first season of ‘NCIS’, specifically in the episode ‘Hung Out to Dry’. He sadly passed away in July 2007 at the age of 34. The episode centered around a parachute jump that went wrong, and the investigation used Brinkman’s connections within his unit to gather information and ultimately determine what caused the fatal accident.

As a Marine on ‘NCIS’, Kley provided valuable insight into the culture and relationships within the Marine Corps, especially during intense investigations. His position within the team helped Gibbs and his agents understand the pressures and sequence of events, which was crucial for determining whether incidents were accidental or deliberate.

Sam Sarpong

Sam Sarpong appeared in a season one episode of ‘NCIS’ titled ‘Seadog,’ playing the character Bobby Jackson. He sadly passed away in October 2015 at the age of 40. The episode featured a case that started with a body found on a beach in Virginia, and quickly grew to involve boat owners, college students, and possible smuggling operations – all of which the NCIS team had to investigate.

Sarpong was a central figure in the early stages of the investigation, appearing as both a witness and a potential suspect. His scenes skillfully transitioned between everyday interactions and official questioning, driving the story forward from initial doubts to a better understanding of who was involved and how.

Heath Freeman

Actor Heath Freeman, known for his role as Benjamin Frank in a season one episode of ‘NCIS’ titled ‘Minimum Security,’ passed away in November 2021 at the age of 41. The episode centered around a death linked to illegal goods, and the NCIS team investigated by interviewing people and gathering evidence to uncover a connection between a sailor’s past and a larger smuggling operation.

Freeman’s performance in this episode foreshadowed the acclaim he’d later receive for a regular role in another crime drama. On ‘NCIS,’ his character was part of the show’s style of solving cases: slowly piecing together clues from witnesses and forensic evidence as the team exposed contradictions and inconsistencies.

Michael Gilden

Michael Gilden played forensic botanist Marty Pearson in two episodes of ‘NCIS’ in 2006. He sadly passed away in December of that year at the age of 44. As Marty, he helped Abby and the ‘NCIS’ team by using his knowledge of plants to connect victims and suspects to specific places and times.

The Gilden storylines demonstrate how the show effectively uses specialized experts to re-examine evidence when typical lab analysis isn’t enough. This character’s insights helped focus investigations and link seemingly unimportant clues to specific locations, allowing cases to move forward when they’d hit dead ends.

Vachik Mangassarian

Vachik Mangassarian, who appeared on shows like ‘NCIS’ and ‘JAG’, passed away in January 2022 at the age of 78. His ‘NCIS’ role involved a storyline with complex diplomatic issues and hidden identities, which made it difficult to determine who was responsible for investigating a sensitive case.

He was a recognizable actor thanks to roles in legal and crime shows, often playing characters involved in both politics and investigations. His work on ‘NCIS’ particularly highlighted the challenges agents face when determining who to trust, as official positions and fake IDs can create confusion about proper procedure and legitimate authority.

Peter Navy Tuiasosopo

Actor Peter Navy Tuiasosopo played Charles ‘Chucky’ Bang Kang in a 2013 episode of ‘NCIS’ titled ‘Hereafter’. He passed away in February 2025 at the age of 61. The episode involved an investigation into an illegal fight club and the death of a Marine, and Tuiasosopo’s character was connected to the people running and participating in the ring, whom the NCIS team needed to identify.

Tuiasosopo worked in film and TV for many years, often playing roles that highlighted his athletic abilities. In one episode of ‘NCIS’, he was involved in a case that required physical investigation, monitoring suspects, and intense questioning – all of which helped reveal the details and reasons behind the operation.

Please share any other names or episodes you think belong here in the comments.

2025-10-14 23:46