Summary
With nearly 500 episodes comprising the original series, it’s easy to forget about famous actors who have appeared onNCIS.However, some pretty well-known names have contributed to what has become a television institution. While many famous actors who appeared inNCISwere at the beginning of their careers, the show has also featured some guest appearances by actors in their prime. Many exciting guest appearances exist in the complexsharedNCISuniverse, but some certainly stand out against the rest.
Aside from its guest stars, the series has a compellingcast of characters onNCIS. Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs was at the center of the franchise for the 19 years that he portrayed the character on the small screen. As such, every character on the list appeared alongside Mark Harmon in some form. Many were interviewed or briefly interacted with the Agent in Charge, but one of the characters was his lover, and another saved his life.
10 Best NCIS Episodes, Ranked
NCIS has a wealth of impactful episodes from its 21 seasons on television, but some have unique elements that set them above the rest.
10Zac Efron
The High School Musical Star Portrayed An Average Kid
Zac Efron made an iconic appearance inNCISseason 3. Efron portrayed Daniel Austin, a typical high school kid who Tony and Ziva question after they find him and his friends using a missing cell phone linked to their case. They find Efron’s character and his friend drinking beer and talking to girls on the phone, which they bought from their classmate, portrayed by Jesse Plemons. Efron’s character doesn’t experience the usual drama that guest stars face, which can include ending up on theNCISautopsy table. He’s just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Zac Efron’sNCISAppearances
Season 3, Episode 13, “Deception”
“Deception” aired on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, and justthree days after hisNCISappearance, Efron would debut as Troy Bolten inHigh School Musicalon the Disney Channel. Efron’s career has continued steadily since, with the actor receiving attention for his role as Chris Cole inA Family Affair.In the 2024 flick, Efron portrays a movie star alongside Nicole Kidman. Efron also appeared in the 2023 filmIron Claw,about the Von Erich wrestling dynasty.
9Jesse Plemons
Jesse Plemons Portrayed A Bully Alongside Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee
Jesse Plemons also appears inNCISseason 3, episode 13, “Deception.” While he doesn’t appear alongside Zac Efron in the episode, they know each other. Plemons' character is a classmate who bullies Daniel Austin and sells them a cell phone. Plemon’s character thinks he is cunning for mistreating his classmates until McGee digs into his interrogation. McGee pretended to identify with the kid, at first, as a bully but then quickly switched the narrative, saying he experienced bullying in high school. Plemons perfectly portrays the range of emotions his character experiences during the interview.
Jesse Plemon’sNCISAppearances
Jesse Plemons has had an enormous career since appearing inNCIS.His projects from 2024 include a small stint as a soldier inCivil Warand his roles inKinds of Kindnesswith Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe.Plemons plays three characters inKinds of Kindness:Robert, Daniel, and Andrew.
8Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis Rejoined Her Freaky Friday Co-Star As Dr. Samantha Ryan
Jamie Lee Curtis’NCISappearanceshappened in season 9, long after the actor achieved stardom. Curtis portrayed Dr. Samantha Ryan, the head of the Department of Defense’s PsyOps Division. She initially debuted in episode 16, “Psych Out,” concerning a case the team is working on. Curtis plays a bubbly character but a vicious investigator. She even bugs Gibbs' basement to get information and protect her team. As Curtis made recurring appearances, she and Gibbs became lovers briefly until her ex-husband left prison, and she was motivated to go into hiding.
Season 9, Episode 23, “Up in Smoke”
Season 9, Episode 24, “Till Death Do Us Part”
HerNCISstint isn’t the only time Jamie Lee Curtis appeared alongside Mark Harmon. The actors also played lovers in the 2003 filmFreaky Friday. Her career has not slowed sinceCurtis made it big after her 1978 role as Laurie inHalloween.She reprised the role many times in theHalloweenfranchise, includingHalloween Endsin 2022. Curtis has had massive roles lately, appearing as Deirdre Beaubeirdre inEverything Everywhere All at Onceand in seasons 2 and 3 ofThe Bearas Donna Berzatto. What’s more, Curtis will feature alongside Harmon in theFreaky Friday 2reboot.
7Glen Powell
The Top Gun Star Portrayed A Marine Sergeant
InTop Gun: Maverick,Glen Powell is tied to the Navy,but it isn’t the actor’s first rendezvous portraying a service member. In 2012, Powell appeared in two episodes ofNCISseason 10 as Marine Sergeant Evan Westcott. Powell appeared in episodes 6 and 7, the two-part “Shell Shock” feature, as NCIS investigates Westcott’s brother. While the episode centers on Powell’s family, his role is worthy of a watch when revisiting Powell’s work. The role was certainly a precursor to his more central roles as military personnel, such as the role of Lieutenant Jake “Hangman” Seresin.
Season 10, Episode 6, “Shell Shock Part I”
Season 10, Episode 7, “Shell Shock Part II”
The actor has maintained a robust presence in the limelight since his role inNCIS,andPowell rose to a new level of fame following his appearance inTop Gun.Powell played the lead role in the 2023 filmHitman,appearing as Gary Johnson, a professional killer. He also appeared as Ben alongside Sydney Sweeny’s Beatrice inAnyone But You.
6Josh Holloway
The Lost Star Port A Sheriff In NCIS Season 1
Holloway appeared onNCISin season 1, episode 12, “My Other Left Foot.” When a junk dealer finds a leg that seems to belong to a Marine, the team goes to Clarksburg, West Virginia, to investigate. It’s clear that it belongs to a Marine because of the"Semper Fi"tattooed on the mutilated leg’s calf. When the team arrives, Holloway is the sheriff waiting to brief Gibbs. Holloway’s character is humored that the leg landed animatedly when the junk dealer tossed it aside, but Gibbs barks at the sailor for thinking it’s funny.
Josh Holloway’sNCISAppearances
Season 1, Episode 12, “My Other Left Foot”
While Josh Holloway’sNCISstint lasted just one scene, the actor went on to star in several culturally significant television shows. After appearing onNCISin 2004, Holloway debuted as James “Sawyer” Ford inLostuntil 2010.Holloway also had an essential role in portraying Roarke MorrisinYellowstoneseason 3.
5Abigail Breslin
The Little Miss Sunshine Actor Portrayed The Blind Daughter Of A Navy Captain
Abigail Breslin appeared inNCISseason 2, episode 1 as Sandy Watson, a girl who is blind and an incredibly gifted pianist. She is the daughter of a Navy Captain who works at the Pentagon. The episode follows the case of Sandy and her mother, abducted from their home and held hostage for two million dollars from a special fund Commander Watson can access. Even though Sandy is returned and uses her hearing to help the team, the episode has a sad ending. Watson had his family abducted so that he could keep the money.
Abigail Breslin’sNCISAppearances
Season 2, Episode 1, “See No Evil”
The actor had a long career ahead of her afterNCIS.She starred as the peculiar girl inLittle Miss Sunshinein 2006, and roles in movies such asNim’s IslandandZombielandfollowed. Abigail Breslin is also recognized for her role in films likeSigns, Definitely, Maybe,andAugust: Osage County,where she portrayed a demented Meryl Streep’s granddaughter.
4Lily Tomlin
The 80 for Brady Star Portrayed Timothy McGee’s Grandmother On NCIS
Lily Tomlin appears as Penelope Langston inNCISseason 9. When Penelope’s name concerns the case they’re investigating, Timothy McGee immediately panics and has to leave NCIS. Tony goes with McGee to visit Penelope, and McGee reveals Tomlin’s character is his grandmother. She gives them vital information about one of her students. Watching McGee interact with Lily Tomlin as his grandmother is enthralling every moment she is on-screen. They have great chemistry, and it would be great to see Tomlin back on the series.
Lily Tomlin’sNCISAppearances
Season 9, Episode 3, “The Penelope Papers”
There have been many memorable Lily Tomlin movies and television shows throughout the actor’s legendary career. She is an institution in female comedy and is known for appearing alongside Jane Fonda. Tomlin most recently returned to the big screen as Lou in80 for Bradyalongside Fonda, Sally Field, and Rita Moreno.
3Colin Hanks
The Untraceable Star Investigated Gibbs' MCRT In NCIS Season 10
Colin Hanks appeared inNCISseasons 10 and 11 as Richard Parsons, a Department of Defense officer. Hanks portrays an investigator tasked with scrutinizing the NCIS team regarding how they handled the death of the Deputy Director of Mossad, killed at the hands of Ziva David, seeking revenge for the murder of her father. Hanks' character initially has it out for Gibbs, under the impression that the Agent in Charge utilizes poor judgment. However, after he sees Gibbs spring into action, Parsons closes the inquiry. Hanks' character was vital in transitioning fromNCISseason 10 to 11.
Season 10, Episode 24, “Damned If You Do”
Season 11, Episode 1, “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot”
Hanks appeared inNCISin 2013 amid his robust career. Colin Hanks has appeared in many movies and TV shows, includingLife in Pieces, Fargo, Dexter, The House Bunny, Untraceable,Orange County,andKing Kong.He most recently appeared as the voice of Orion’s adult self in Netflix’sOrion and the Dark.
2Millie Bobby Brown
The Stranger Things Actor Killed Her Mom In NCIS
Millie Bobby Brown appeared inNCISseason 12 as Rachel Barnes, a disturbed 10-year-old child with sociopathic tendencies. In Brown’s 2014NCISepisode, “Parental Guidance Suggested,“Millie Bobby Brown’sNCIScharacterkilled her mother. The episode is entirely convincing that Rachel’s father killed his wife. Still, the final moments reveal that Rachel killed her mother because she hated her mother and wanted to spend more time with her father, who was often away on deployment. Rachel even beats herself to gain more of her father’s attention, and Brown plays the character chillingly.
Millie Bobby Brown’sNCISAppearances
Season 12, Episode 6, “Parental Guidance Suggested”
In “Parental Guidance,” the Rachel Barnes character is in many ways a precursor to Brown’s breakout role inStranger Things.Brown portrays Eleven in the horror sci-fi series on Netflix. Eleven holds immense power inStranger Things,and her character has a chilling intensity that is akin to Brown’s Barnes character. Millie Bobby Brown debuted inStranger Thingsin 2016, just two years after herNCISappearance. Since then, she has appeared as the titular character inEnola HolmesandEnola Holmes 2.
1Jon Cryer
The Two And A Half Men Star Portrayed A Medical Doctor
Jon Cryer portrayed Dr. Cyril Taft in three episodes ofNCISseason 13. Cryer’s episodes aired in the 2015-2016NCISseason, the same year hisTwo and a Half Menstint ended. Cryer spoke withETahead of season 15, and they recalled an interview from 2009 where Cryer said it was his dream to appear onNCIS.After his network series ended, it was finally time. Cryer portrayed the heart surgeon who saves Gibbs' life after he got shot in the leg and chest in theNCISseason 12 finale.
Season 13, Episode 1, “Stop the Bleeding”
Season 13, Episode 8, “Saviors”
Season 13, Episode 16, “Loose Cannons”
Jon Cryer was a well-established actor when he debuted onNCISin 2015. Cryer’s breakout role was as Duckie in the 1986 filmPretty in Pink.In 2003, Cryer began a 12-season run opposite Charlie Sheen onTwo and a Half Men.Jon Cryer has recently appeared as Lux Luther in several DC universe productions, includingBatwoman, The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl,andDC’s Legends of Tomorrow.Cryer most recently appeared in the 2024Bratsdocumentary on Hulu, which explored the effects of the Brat Pack label on a group of young actors in the 1980s, to which Cryer was related.
NCIS
Cast
NCIS is a television series that follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Premiering in 2003, the show explores various cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines.
