Pauley Perrette has been a household name to millions of TV viewers for two decades — and remains one even seven years after she left NCIS, CBS’ hugely popular crime procedural franchise. But when she said in a rare interview earlier this month that she will “never again” return to acting, it was unsurprising to those who know Perrette, 55: America’s goth sweetheart never intended to be an actor in the first place.
Indeed, Perrette initially studied psychology, sociology and criminal science, first at Georgia’s Valdosta State University and then John Jay College of Criminal Science in New York City, with hopes to join the FBI. But things worked out much differently.
In early 90s NYC — where she was pursuing a Masters degree at John Jay — Pauley cut a striking figure in the downtown club scene as a white-mohawked bartender. After catching the eye of a casting agent, she appeared in a 1994 ABC Afterschool Special. At the agent’s suggestion, she then moved to Los Angeles to see if she could get more acting work. Arriving in L.A. in the late 90s, Perrette quickly dominated the city’s queer and punk rock club circuit, gaining notoriety as a dancer at the underground Club Cherry as well as performing in local bands at venues like the Viper Room.
One by one, she landed acting roles on Frasier, The Drew Carey Show and Veronica’s Closet. Then she got her first big break, a full-season role on Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Party Of Five spinoff series, Time Of Your Life.
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Then she landed the role that would change her life.
In 2003, Perrette was cast as Abby Sciuto in NCIS, and quickly became the show’s breakout star alongside Hollywood veterans like Mark Harmon. Over the next 15 years, Perrette became one of the most recognizable and beloved female TV stars in the world.
“She never expected to become a famous actress,” a source tells Us Weekly exclusively. “She felt uncomfortable being around the entitlement of Hollywood, but the money gave her a lot of freedom, so she kept going back.”
But NCIS offered Perrette a unique opportunity, says Clint Catalyst, Perrette’s close friend of 25 years. “She’s always expressed her gratitude for the platform it provides her, particularly in the sense of being a strong role model for young girls. There weren’t exactly a lot of positive portrayals of smart, independent females — or goth or alternative types — in mainstream TV at the time.”
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Perrette also used her celebrity to champion social injustices. She worked tirelessly as an advocate and philanthropist for LGBTQIA+ rights, animal rescue organizations, and civil rights groups. “There have been over 20 [charities and nonprofits] she’s contributed significant amounts of her time, energy and finances to,” Catalyst tells Us, noting that she’s donated to scholarship funds, shelters for unhoused women and children and more. “That’s just the type of person she is.”
In 2017, at the height of her TV fame, Perrette famously walked away from NCIS. At first, she refused to elaborate on her decision, but in mid-2018 she broke her silence via Twitter (now X), claiming that she was “terrified” of Harmon “attacking me” following alleged “multiple physical assaults.”
CBS addressed Perrette’s claims, saying in a statement at the time: “Pauley Perrette had a terrific run on NCIS and we are all going to miss her. Over a year ago, Pauley came to us with a workplace concern. We took the matter seriously and worked with her to find a resolution. We are committed to a safe work environment on all our shows.”
“NCIS became a very dark place for her,” says the source. “Pauley felt she didn’t have any alternative other than quitting.”
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“Let’s face it,” Catalyst says. “Hollywood isn’t exactly known for being a hotbed of mental health. There just came a day when she decided she’d rather spend her time at home with her rescue dogs.”
After a starring role in Broke, a CBS sitcom that was canceled after one season, Pauley walked away from acting for good. “Honestly, she’d rather socialize with trees than people in the entertainment industry,” Catalyst shares.
Following Broke, Perrette threw herself into a new career as a documentary filmmaker. “As long as I’ve known Pauley, she’s been a big fan of documentaries,” says Catalyst. “Directing and producing works that tell the stories of people and causes she champions seems like a logical progression.”
In 2023, she directed Red Ribbons Of Love, a documentary about her church, The Hollywood United Methodist Church, and she has completed a second film, Studio One Forever, which chronicles the legendary gay disco in Los Angeles.
“Pauley is finally exactly where she should be,” adds the source. “Making documentaries allows her to use her celebrity to tell the stories that she has been trying to tell for her entire life. The only surprising thing about her decision to never act again is that it took her so damn long.”
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Still, Perrette’s legacy on the small screen is secure. “Television is a powerful medium,” Catalyst tells Us. “I think the same way Will and Grace made it easier for some families to accept their gay children, Pauley’s character Abby helped some parents come to terms with their kids who wore a lot of black clothing and had tattoos or piercings.”
And fans can continue to observe Perrette’s influence via her documentaries and behind-the-scenes good work. “She has a huge heart and is deeply affected by injustice: to people, to animals, to the environment. She’ll be a philanthropist and activist for as long as she’s still breathing. I’m sure of it,” Catalyst says. “She’s a very introspective and empathetic person who’d rather spend time in thought and prayer than on a screen or a red carpet.”
