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As NCIS approaches its 500th episode, we take a moment to remember the actors who contributed to the show’s legacy but are sadly no longer with us. This list honors eleven former NCIS cast members who have passed away. Their contributions, whether in a single episode or spanning multiple seasons, remain cherished by dedicated fans.
René Auberjonois: Auberjonois, known for his role as Dr. Felix Blackwell in the Season 10 episode “Phoenix,” passed away from lung cancer in 2019 at age 79.
Vachik Mangassarian: Mangassarian, who played a fake Iranian president in both NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles, died in 2022 at age 78.
David McCallum: The beloved Scottish actor who portrayed Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard from the show’s premiere until his passing during Season 21, died in 2023. McCallum’s portrayal of the medical examiner, and later NCIS historian, was a cornerstone of the series for many years.
Annie Wersching: Wersching, who guest-starred as Deputy DA Gail Walsh in the Season 8 episode “False Witness,” tragically lost her battle with cancer in 2023 at the age of 45.
Gregory Itzin: Itzin, who appeared in NCIS as Spencer Downing and Director Charlie, beginning in 2003, died in 2022 due to complications from emergency surgery.
Heath Freeman: Freeman, known for his role as Benjamin Frank on NCIS, died in 2021 at age 41 from an overdose.
Miguel Ferrer: Ferrer, who portrayed Assistant Director Owen Granger on NCIS: Los Angeles for seven seasons, continued acting despite his battle with throat cancer until his death in 2017 at age 61.
Ravil Isyanov: Isyanov played mobster Anatoli Kirkin on NCIS: Los Angeles from 2013 until his death from cancer in 2021 at age 59.
Ralph Waite: Waite portrayed Jackson Gibbs, Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ father, in eight episodes of NCIS. His character was written out of the show in Season 11, just three months after Waite’s death in 2014 at age 85.
Sam Sarpong: Sarpong, who appeared in Season 1 of NCIS, died by suicide in 2015 at the age of 40.
Cheney Kley: Kley, who played Corporal Paul Brinkman in the show’s second episode, died in 2017 at age 34 from complications related to sleep apnea.
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