Michael Weatherly, who famously played Tony DiNozzo on NCIS, was once in danger of losing his gig owing to his acting. This revelation comes ahead of the spin-off NCIS: Tony and Ziva, as well as the introduction of Weatherly and co-star Cote de Pablo’s podcast, Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch.
On the podcast, Weatherly shared his early experiences on the show, recounting a candid intervention by creator Donald P. Bellisario. Weatherly recalled:
“I was working with Peter Bogdanovich in Australia, and after a magical dinner with Donald P. Bellisario, he offered me the job. I flew back and started shooting immediately, but I had no idea what I was doing.”
Bellisario didn’t mince words, telling Weatherly:
“I don’t know what you’re doing, but stop it because it’s not good. I want the guy I had dinner with. Forget the script, I wrote it, don’t do it or we’ll replace you. I want to see that guy.”
This harsh critique jolted Weatherly, revealing that he had become overly self-conscious and stiff. Bellisario’s drive for realism resulted in the vibrant, charming DiNozzo that fans adore.
Weatherly’s candor about this key moment emphasizes the value of authentic acting over perfection, a lesson that ultimately contributed to the success of his character and the show.
