Michael Weatherly Jr. (born July 8, 1968)[1] is an American actor, producer, director, and musician, known for playing the roles of special agent Anthony DiNozzo in the television series NCIS (2003–2016, 2024) and Logan Cale in Dark Angel (2000–2002). From 2016 to 2022, he starred as Dr. Jason Bull in Bull, a courtroom drama. He also starred in Meet Wally Sparks.

Michael Weatherly
Weatherly at Hollywood Walk of Fame in October 2012
Born (1968-07-08) July 8, 1968 (age 55)
New York City, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • producer
  • director
  • musician
Years active1990–present
Spouses
(m. 1995; div. 1997)
Bojana Janković
(m. 2009)
PartnerJessica Alba (2000–2003)
Children3
RelativesAlexandra Breckenridge (niece)
Websitewww.michaelweatherly.com

Early life edit

Weatherly was born in New York City and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut.[2] His parents are Patricia (née Hetherington) and Michael Weatherly Sr.[1][3] He is of Irish descent.[4]

Weatherly attended Fairfield Country Day School and graduated from Brooks School in North Andover, Massachusetts in 1986.[5][6] He attended Boston University, Menlo College, American University, and The American University of Paris but left college to pursue acting.[2]

Career edit

Weatherly began his acting career with a minor television role on The Cosby Show as Theo Huxtable's roommate. He played the role of Cooper Alden in Loving and later, The City, appearing in the role from 1992 until 1996.

Weatherly moved to Los Angeles, soon landing a role as a series regular on the FOX television series Significant Others with Jennifer Garner, though the show only lasted six episodes. He then met director Whit Stillman who cast him in the 1998 film The Last Days of Disco as Hap, opposite Chloë Sevigny. Weatherly also appeared as a conflicted warlock in the series Charmed during its first season in 1998.

His movie credits include Meet Wally Sparks (1997) with Rodney Dangerfield, Gun Shy (2000) with Liam Neeson, Cabin by the Lake (2000) with Judd Nelson, and the independent film Trigger Happy opposite Rosario Dawson.

Weatherly starred in Dark Angel for the two seasons it was on the air. This role earned him three award nominations, two Saturn Awards for best supporting actor on television in 2001 and 2002, and one Teen Choice award for choice actor in 2001.

In 2003, he appeared as Senior NCIS Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo in two episodes of the CBS series JAG, a role he continued to portray in the spin-off series NCIS. He made subsequent guest appearances on both NCIS: New Orleans (2014) and NCIS: Los Angeles (2015). Together with Pauley Perrette, who played Abby Sciuto, he is one of only two actors who have appeared in all four shows (JAG, NCIS, NCIS: LA, NCIS: NO). In 2004, he starred in the television film The Mystery of Natalie Wood, portraying Robert Wagner. Since 2010, Robert Wagner had made twelve guest appearances on NCIS as Anthony DiNozzo Sr., the father of Weatherly's character.[7]

He was a guest presenter at the Australian Logie Awards of 2007 on May 6, 2007, and was a guest on Rove Live.[8]

Weatherly made his directing debut with the season-eight episode of NCIS titled "One Last Score", which aired March 1, 2011, and also directed the NCIS season-10 episode "Seek" which aired March 19, 2013.

He portrayed Jesus Christ in a YouTube video that also featured comedian Sarah Silverman and was sponsored by a pro-choice organization.[9] In 2015, Weatherly participated in the #Tapped challenge by posting a video of himself dancing to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.[10]

CBS announced in January 2016 that Weatherly would be leaving NCIS after 13 seasons of starring as main character Anthony DiNozzo.[11] At the same time, the network announced he would star in a new series called Bull in fall 2016, loosely based on the real-life trial consultancy of Dr. Phil McGraw.[12] In 2024, after a cameo appearance on NCIS the week before, it was announced that Weatherly would reprise his role as DiNozzo with on-screen love interest Cote DePablo reprising as Ziva David in a new NCIS spin-off series on Paramount+.[13]

Weatherly was a presenter at the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2016, and the 40th People's Choice Awards in 2014.[14] He has appeared on numerous talk shows including The Rachel Ray Show,[15] CBS This Morning,[16] Live with Kelly and Ryan,[17] the Today Show, the Late Show,[18] and The Late Late Show with James Corden.[19]

Directing edit

 
Weatherly on the set of NCIS in 2008

Weatherly has directed numerous short films, and television episodes from the series NCIS and Bull. He directed the 2017 documentary Jamaica Man, about the life of British expatriate Nigel Pemberton, which premiered at the 2017 Telluride Film Festival.[20][21] Jamaica Man won "Best Documentary Portrait" at the 2017 Doc LA - Los Angeles Documentary Film Festival, and "Best Documentary" at the 2018 NYC Independent Film Festival.[22][23] The film was also screened at the 2018 Tiburon International Film Festival and TMFF festival.[24][25]

Music edit

Weatherly sings and plays several instruments, including piano and guitar. He has written several songs, including two songs from the NCIS soundtracks, "Bitter and Blue" and "Under the Sun".[26] He played in a band and performed music on his own while pursuing his early career in New York City.[27] Another early project was a video shoot for a karaoke CD: A Taste of Honey's version of "Sukiyaki".[28]

Personal life edit

Weatherly married his Loving/The City co-star Amelia Heinle in February 1995.[2] Their son was born in 1996.[2][29] They divorced in 1997.[2]

During filming of Dark Angel in January 2000, Weatherly began a relationship with co-star Jessica Alba, leading to their engagement in 2001. The relationship ended in August 2003.[30][31]

Weatherly married Serbian-Canadian internist Dr. Bojana Janković on September 30, 2009.[30] The couple lives in Manhattan with their two children: a daughter and a son.[4][32]

Weatherly is the uncle of actress Alexandra Breckenridge.[8]

Sexual harassment edit

In January 2018, CBS settled for $9.5 million with actress Eliza Dushku after she was fired from a recurring role on Bull after informing producers of Weatherly's inappropriate behavior on the set.[33] According to documents from the official mediation, Weatherly was recorded on video making comments about spanking Dushku over his knee, soliciting a threesome, alluding to sexual assault in his "rape van", and other inappropriate remarks. After Dushku spoke with producers, Weatherly texted CBS Television Studios' president David Stapf saying he wanted to talk about Dushku's sense of humor, though Stapf pushed back saying "Ms. Dushku made the show better."[34] Days later, showrunner Glenn Caron terminated Dushku's expected role on the show despite opposition from studio executives.[33]

In November 2021, Dushku testified in front of the House Judiciary Committee about her sexual harassment accusations during her time on Bull. She said in her testimony: "In 2017, I was aggressively pursued by CBS to become a co-lead in a show called Bull. I was told that the role would be a six-year commitment to play a smart, strong leading lady — a competent, high-powered lawyer meant to counter balance the existing male lead, and that the role had been written specifically with me in mind. However, in my first week on my new job I found myself the brunt of crude, sexualized and lewd verbal assaults. I suffered near constant sexual harassment from my co-star." Dushku added that Weatherly called her "legs" and talked about his sperm.[35]

In December 2018, when the settlement was reported, Weatherly publicly apologized for the comments, saying "When Eliza told me that she wasn't comfortable with my language and attempt at humor, I was mortified to have offended her and immediately apologized."[33] Dushku responded that Weatherly broke the terms of their settlement by speaking to the press and characterized his apology as "more deflection, denial, and spin."[34] Pauley Perrette and Sasha Alexander, Weatherly's co-stars from NCIS, tweeted in support of him following the accusations.[36] In August 2019, it was reported that both Weatherly and Caron were undergoing leadership training following the settlement.[37]

Philanthropy edit

Weatherly and his wife are involved with nonprofit organizations such as the Tryall Fund, which focuses on improving education and public health in Hanover Parish, Jamaica.[38] They are also involved with Environmental Working Group, an organization focused on environmental consciousness, and Healthy Child Healthy World, a children's health initiative.[39]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Film Role Credited as Notes
1990 A Taste of Honey: Sukiyaki (Karaoke) The Boy Actor, producer, director Short
1997 Meet Wally Sparks Dean Sparks Actor
1998 The Last Days of Disco 'Hap'
1999 Winding Roads Mick Simons
2000 Gun Shy DEA Agent Dave Juniper
The Specials Verdict, Crusader Industries
2001 Venus and Mars Cody Battle Vandermeer
Trigger Happy Bill
2005 Her Minor Thing Tom Lindeman
2007 Michael Weatherly at Bondi Director Short
Extra NCIS: Michael Weatherly LiveCam
Michael Weatherly Climbs the Sydney Harbour Bridge
2010 Charlie Valentine Danny Valentine Actor
2011 LIGHTS! CAMERA! WEATHERLY! Director Short
2012 A Movie About an Explosive Chicken from the Set of NCIS
2013 Under the Sun Director, writer, executive producer
2017 Jamaica Man Director, producer Documentary

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1991 The Cosby Show Theo's Roommate Episode: "Theo's Final Final"
1992–1995 Loving Cooper Alden Unknown episodes
1995–1996 The City Unknown episodes
1996 Pier 66 Decker Monroe Television movie
1997 Asteroid Dr. Matthew Rogers Television movie (NBC)
Spy Game James Cash Episode: "What Family Doesn't Have its Ups and Downs?"
1998 The Advanced Guard Kevin, The Captive Television movie (Sci Fi); also known as The Colony
Significant Others Ben Chasen Recurring role; 6 episodes
Jesse Roy Recurring role; 6 episodes
1999 Charmed Brendan Rowe Episode: "When Bad Warlocks Turn Good"
The Crow: Stairway to Heaven James Horton Episode: "A Gathering Storm"
2000 Cabin by the Lake Boone Television movie (USA)
Grapevine Jack Vallone Episode: "Jack"
Ally McBeal Wayne Keeble Episode: "Sex, Lies and Second Thoughts"
2000–2002 Dark Angel Logan Cale Main role
2001 27th Annual People's Choice Awards Himself TV special
2001 ALMA Awards
2001 Teen Choice Awards
2002 28th Annual People's Choice Awards
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
2003 JAG NCIS Special Agent Tony DiNozzo Jr. Episodes: "Ice Queen", "Meltdown" (NCIS backdoor pilot)
29th Annual People's Choice Awards Himself TV special
2003–2012 CBS Cares 7 episodes
2003–2016, 2024 NCIS NCIS Special Agent Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo Jr. Main role; (seasons 1–13), guest (season 21), director; (2 episodes)
2004 The Mystery of Natalie Wood Robert Wagner Television movie (ABC)
Good Day Live Himself 1 episode
The Wayne Brady Show 1 episode
The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn 1 episode
The Sharon Osbourne Show 1 episode
2007–2010 Journal de 20 heures 2 episodes
Le Grand Journal 2 episodes
2007–2012 E! True Hollywood Story 3 episodes
2007–2017 Extra with Billy Bush 25 episodes
2009–2010 The Early Show 3 episodes
2010 Stand Up to Cancer TV special
Chelsea Lately 1 episode
The Bonnie Hunt Show 1 episode
2010–2018 Rachael Ray 3 episodes
Live with Kelly and Ryan 9 episodes
2011 BAFTA Britannia Awards TV special
Today Show 1 episode
Rove LA 1 episode
You Ask They Tell Miniseries
2012 Major Crimes Thorn Woodson Episode: "The Ecstasy and the Agony"
Dr. Phil Special Agent Tony DiNozzo Episode: "Overwhelmed and Frazzled"
Late Show with David Letterman Himself 1 episode
2012–2013 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 2 episodes
2012–2016 The Insider 8 episodes
2012–2018 CBS This Morning 4 episodes
2013 Do Something Awards Presenter TV special
KTLA Morning News Himself 1 episode
The Arsenio Hall Show 1 episode
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson 1 episode
2014 Whose Line is it Anyway? Contestant; 1 episode
40th People's Choice Awards Presenter TV special
Hollywood Game Night Himself Contestant; 2 episodes
NCIS: New Orleans NCIS Special Agent Tony DiNozzo Episode: "Carrier"
The Queen Latifah Show Himself 1 episode
2015 NCIS: Los Angeles NCIS Special Agent Tony DiNozzo Episode: "Blame It on Rio"
2016 68th Primetime Emmy Awards Presenter TV special
2016–2022 Bull Dr. Jason Bull Actor: lead role[40] Director: 2 episodes[41]
2016–2017 The Late Late Show with James Corden Himself 2 episodes
2016–2018 The Late Show with Stephen Colbert 4 episodes
2017 Celebrity Page 1 episodes
2020 Lead with Love TV special

Discography edit

Year Title Album Type
2013 "Under the Sun" NCIS: Benchmark (Official TV Soundtrack)
2009 "Bitter and Blue" NCIS: The Official TV Soundtrack - Vol. 2 Soundtrack
"All Fall Apart"
"Motionless Man"
"Pretty Baby"
"Suffer for Me"
"Another Fear Confirmed"
"Genie in My Dreams"
"Every Time I Turn Around"
"California"
"That's What I Said"

Awards and nominations edit

Saturn Awards

  • 2001: Nominated, "Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series" – Dark Angel
  • 2002: Nominated, "Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series" – Dark Angel

Soap Opera Digest Awards

  • 1994: Nominated, "Hottest Male Star" – Loving
  • 1995: Nominated, "Outstanding Younger Lead Actor" – Loving

Teen Choice Awards

  • 2001: Nominated, "Choice TV Actor" – Dark Angel

Doc LA - Los Angeles Documentary Film Festival

  • 2017: Won, "Best Documentary Portrait" – Jamaica Man

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Michael Weatherly". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2016. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e Bryant, Adam (November 9, 2010). "In Focus: NCIS' Michael Weatherly is happy being the second banana". TV Guide. Archived from the original on September 3, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  3. ^ "Ruth Hetherington Obituary". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on November 20, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Kowalski, Kristine Hope (October 30, 2013). "Michael Weatherly Baby Born: NCIS Actor Welcomes a Son Named Liam". HollywoodLife.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  5. ^ Catlin, Roger (April 7, 2005). "After 'Dark,' There's 'ncis'". Hartford Courant. Hartford, CT. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020.
  6. ^ "Alumni Shield Award". Brooks School. Archived from the original on December 14, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  7. ^ Abrams, Natalie (November 2, 2009). "NCIS: Robert Wagner to Play Tony's Dad". TVGuide.com. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  8. ^ a b "NCIS star continues Aussie love affair". ninemsn.com.au. May 10, 2007. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  9. ^ Wayne McClammy (Director) (January 21, 2014). Sarah Silverman is visited by Jesus Christ. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  10. ^ "'NCIS' star Michael Weatherly shows off dancing skills for charity". Variety. September 2, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  11. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (January 5, 2016). "Michael Weatherly Leaving NCIS". TVLine. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  12. ^ Ausiello, Michael (March 16, 2016). "NCIS' Michael Weatherly to Play Dr. Phil in CBS Drama Pilot Bull". tvline.com.
  13. ^ B.Kile, Meredith (February 28, 2024). "The duo will reprise their roles as Ziva David and Tony DiNozzo in a new Paramount+ series". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  14. ^ "Michael Weatherly". Television Academy. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  15. ^ ""Bull" Star Michael Weatherly Says His Kids Like His Waffles Better Than His Wife's — And This Is Why". Rachael Ray Show. October 1, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  16. ^ Watch CBS This Morning, retrieved February 7, 2021
  17. ^ "Breaking News – Derek Hough, Michael Strahan & Jerry O'Connell to Co-Host "Live! With Kelly" the Week of February 6–10, 2012 | TheFutonCritic.com". www.thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  18. ^ Michael Weatherly Shares His Awkward Teenage Photo On The Late Show, retrieved February 7, 2021
  19. ^ Michael Weatherly Retaliated After Corden Graffitied His Billboard, retrieved February 7, 2021
  20. ^ Tapley, Kristopher (August 31, 2017). "Telluride Film Festival Lineup Includes 'Darkest Hour,' 'Downsizing,' 'Shape of Water'". Variety. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  21. ^ Brody, Meredith (September 9, 2017). "The Greatest Show on Earth: Recap of the 2017 Telluride Film Festival". www.rogerebert.com/. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  22. ^ "2017 DOC LA — Los Angeles Documentary Film Festival". docla. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  23. ^ "NYC Independent Film Festival Award Winners". greenroomnewyork.com. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  24. ^ "Tiburon International Film Festival". www.tiburonfilmfestival.com. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  25. ^ "Jamaica Man* | The Monthly Film Festival". Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  26. ^ Book, Ryan (October 16, 2013). "NCIS Stars Michael Weatherly and Pauley Perrette Discuss Original Songs for Television Show's Soundtrack". Music Times. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  27. ^ "'NCIS' star Michael Weatherly takes the EW Pop Culture Personality Test". EW.com. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  28. ^ "Michael Weatherly – A Taste of Honey: Sukiyaki – karaoke video". February 2, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  29. ^ "Michael Weatherly: My Wife, Kids and Becoming a Better Man". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  30. ^ a b Wang, Cynthia (May 24, 2010). "Weatherly Report". People. Vol. 73, no. 20. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  31. ^ "Jessica Alba". People. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  32. ^ Leon, Anya (April 11, 2012). "NCIS: Michael Weatherly Welcomes Daughter Olivia". People. Archived from the original on January 13, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  33. ^ a b c "Behind CBS's Secret $9.5 Million Settlement With the Actress Eliza Dushku". The New York Times. December 13, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  34. ^ a b "Eliza Dushku: I worked at CBS. I didn't want to be sexually harassed. I was fired – The Boston Globe". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  35. ^ Garvey, Marianne (November 16, 2021). "Eliza Dushku Details 'Bull' Sexual Harassment Accusations to Congressional Panel Free of NDA Constraints (Video)". CNN.
  36. ^ "Pauley Perrette, Sasha Alexander Defend Michael Weatherly". The Hollywood Reporter. December 15, 2018. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  37. ^ Patten, Dominic (August 1, 2019). "'Bull' Star Micheal Weatherly & Showrunner in "Leadership Training" Following Harassment Payout – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  38. ^ "A Taste of Tryall". jamaica-gleaner.com. December 4, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  39. ^ Nancy & James Chuda (January 12, 2016). "Healthy Child Healthy World: Empowering Parents To Make Safer Choices". LuxEcoLiving. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  40. ^ "NCIS' Michael Weatherly to Play Dr. Phil in CBS Drama Pilot Bull". TVLine. March 16, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  41. ^ Abhishek, Aharon (November 23, 2020). "'Bull' Season 5 Episode 2 Review: It's a 'Chunk vs Benny' El Clasico in Michael Weatherly-directed jaw-dropper". meaww.com. Retrieved November 25, 2020.

External links edit