'NCIS' Season 13 News: Agent Tony DiNozzo To Exit Series
After 13 seasons on the show, Michael Weatherly, who plays the charming Senior Special Agent Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo Jr., is leaving the American police drama "NCIS."
CBS issued a statement on Tuesday, praising Weatherly's contribution to the series and thanking the actor for helping make "NCIS" a success. "After 13 years on 'NCIS', Michael Weatherly is leaving the show at the end of this season," the network announced. The statement called Weatherly "a valued part" of the network and commended his "immense charm and talent." According to CBS, Weatherly will continue to develop projects with the network as part of a development deal between CBS and the actor/producer.
"NCIS" is currently the highest-rated drama series on broadcast television. In its tenth season, the police procedural action-drama show was the most-watched TV series in the U.S. The program has given rise to two spin-offs: "NCIS: Los Angeles" and "NCIS: New Orleans." The show, itself a spin-off of the CBS series "JAG," first aired in September 2003.
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Weatherly confirmed his departure from "NCIS" in a series of posts on Twitter. "DiNozzo is a wonderful, quixotic character & I couldn't have had more fun playing him over the past 13 seasons," the actor wrote.
A photo of him and "NCIS" co-star Pauley Perrette was captioned, "Les Moonves & CBS gave me the opportunity of a lifetime." Another post read "I will miss the amazing crew & cast, who are like family to me, & to the fans all over the world — THANK YOU, it's been a fantastic ride!"
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the announcement of Weatherly's exit from the series comes four days after the actor was sentenced to three months in an alcohol program (and a MADD program) and three years under probation for his DUI arrest back in November.
Weatherly is the second "NCIS" main character to leave the show in recent years. Cote de Pablo, who played Agent Ziva David for eight seasons, left the series in 2013.
"NCIS" Season 13 airs Tuesday nights on CBS.
