Pauley Perrette, well-known for her role in ‘NCIS,’ bid farewell to the crime-solving world after some unpleasant events. Now, she dedicates her time to comedy and helping both people and animals in need.
The 52-year-old actress has enjoyed a long and successful career, but it could have ended abruptly a year ago. Pauley revealed through social media that she had a “massive” stroke and updated fans on her health.
Pauley Perrette played Abby Sciuto on ‘NCIS’ for 15 seasons. Sadly, her departure from the show was less than amicable.
Pauley Perrette as Abby Sciuto on ‘NCIS’
In 2017, Pauley announced her departure from ‘NCIS’ and posted on Twitter just days later, hinting at “multiple physical” offenses as the reason for her exit. Reports suggested tension between her and co-star Mark Harmon over a dog bite incident on set.
She shared an emotional goodbye message on Twitter:
“I hope everyone will love and enjoy EVERYTHING ABBY, not only for the rest of this season but for everything she has given all of us for 16 years,” she wrote. “All the love, all the laughter, all the inspiration…I love her as much as you do.”
Leaving a character she had played for over a decade was tough for Perrette. Speaking with CBS Sunday Morning, she expressed her sorrow over her departure from the beloved show.
“It makes me sad to imagine a world without Abby in it. It really makes me sad,” Perrette said. “I’m still grieving. It feels differently every day, and it’s sad. I usually cry in my car every day when I drive to work. And then I usually cry on my way home at some point. And then I take a deep breath and I go, ‘Alright.’”
In 2019, Pauley firmly stated on Twitter that she would “never returning back to ‘NCIS’” and shared her fear of Mark Harmon.
Is Pauley Perrette returning to ‘NCIS’?
Although Pauley made it clear she doesn’t intend to return to ‘NCIS,’ series boss Steven D Binder suggested a possible way to bring back the beloved character, even if just in spirit.
Binder mentioned that fans will start seeing Abby’s presence more in future seasons. The showrunner emphasized acknowledging her legacy on the show.
Now, Pauley has faced many challenges in the last decade. Despite everything, ‘NCIS’ notably influenced her.
Speaking with USA Today, she declined to further discuss her past tweets.
“That is a part of my past now, and it’s nothing that I have any need to talk about again, other than one thing: I’m certainly grateful for having the opportunity to play that character and I always will be,” she said.
“It makes me sad to imagine a world without Abby”
While leaving ‘NCIS’ was the right decision for Perrette, it wasn’t easy to part from the workplace where she spent 15 years of her life.
As she shared with CBS, closing that chapter was very emotional.
“I, like, usually cry in my car every single day when I drive to work,” she said. “And I usually cry on my way home at some point. And then I take a deep breath and go, ‘Alright,’ you know?”
“It makes me sad to imagine a world without Abby in it,” Pauley continued. “Abby made science cool and attainable for young women. This television character did more than encourage it; she made it cool, exciting, and fun.”
She also made many great friends during her time on the show. Since last year, Pauley returned to CBS with a role on the comedy show ‘Broke.’
“Michael Weatherly [Anthony DiNozzo on ‘NCIS’] is like my brother,” she said. “I love him more than anything on the planet Earth. He’s awesome. And CBS is home to me. The network and studio have always been kind to me.”
Pauley has shown she cares deeply for others, always aiming to give back to those who supported her early on.
Philanthropic Work
The celebrated forensic scientist attended Valdosta State University and John Jay College. In 2018, she announced creating two scholarships for female students majoring in criminal justice, encouraging women to pursue careers in science and math.
“Abby is not just a TV character for people,” she told People. “Young girls have modeled their lives after her. She has inspired generations of young women to go into STEM programs because she made it accessible, cool, attainable, and fun.”
Pauley’s care extends to animals as well. In 2013, she received the Tom Mankiewicz Leadership Award from the LA Zoo. She supports several animal causes, and all three of her dogs are rescues.
“I’m so obsessed with animals,” Pauley told the Wall Street Journal. “So much so that my [NCIS] producers started giving Abby scenes with animals.”
Pauley returned to television with the comedy ‘Broke,’ though it was labeled as a “limited series” with its last episode aired in May 2020. As of now, she has no new credits.
Pauley Perrette suffered ‘massive’ stroke
Pauley has a rich history in comedy, having appeared in ‘Frasier’ and ‘The Drew Carey Show.’ The timing was perfect for her return to comedy.
“It’s such a weird time for everybody,” she told USA Today. “I was excited about people seeing our show because it’s my favorite. It’s funny, sweet, and awesome. Now I’m really excited in a new way, feeling like people need this to be happy.”
On September 2, Pauley shared shocking news via Twitter, revealing that she had a life-threatening stroke last year. “It’s 9/2. One year ago I had a massive stroke,” she wrote. “Before that, I lost many beloved family and friends… Yet still a survivor after this traumatic life I’ve had.”
“How many times do I cheat death?” she asked in a video included in the post, mentioning her father and cousin passed away before her stroke.
“I’ve been through a lot in the last two years — things harder than having a stroke,” she said. “But I’m still here, and I’m so grateful. Thank you to my friends. God bless you all. I’m still here.”
New health update
In an interview with Entertainment Now, Pauley described the terrifying moment of her stroke.
“I woke up with no feeling on the entire right side of my body,” Pauley recounted. “At first, I thought I had just slept funny. Realizing the extent of the numbness, unable to feel my laptop on my lap or my face being touched, I called my doctor who immediately told me to go to the emergency room.”
At first, she was hesitant and wanted to consult her therapist first, but the urgency directed her to the ER.
“I walked into the ER and said, ‘Hey, I can’t feel the right side of my body and…’ BAM! I was on a gurney with a million things stuck in my arms,” Perrette recalled. “They know how serious a stroke is and how immediate care is crucial.”
Today, one year later, Pauley Perrette is thankfully doing very well. Speaking with People, she wants to raise awareness about strokes and emphasize that they can happen to anyone, regardless of age.
“I am doing great and am super healthy now,” Pauley said. “I want to thank everyone for their concern and take this opportunity to really plead for everyone to educate themselves on the signs of a stroke and the importance of seeking immediate medical help.”
“People should know that you can have a stroke AT ANY AGE, which I didn’t know. Teenagers can have strokes,” she added.
Pauley Perrette’s dark love life
While playing Abby Sciuto earned her a devoted fanbase, Pauley Perrette has maintained a private life off-camera.
In 2000, she married musician Coyote Shivers, but they divorced in 2004. Reports indicate their union wasn’t simple, and Pauley even filed restraining orders against Shivers for stalking.
“I have a permanent restraining order, but those can only do so much,” she shared in a 2018 interview with 48 Hours.
“Stalking laws haven’t been updated since the internet, which is an issue since cyberstalking is a major problem.”
After Shivers, Pauley dated Michael Bosman, though they never married despite being engaged.
“I don’t have to have a boyfriend”
Pauley also got engaged to former British Royal Marine Thomas Arklie. The couple planned to marry but decided to wait until California’s Proposition 8, denying same-sex couples the right to marry, was overturned. They eventually split in late 2016 or early 2017.
In 2018, in an interview with CBS, Pauley stated she wasn’t looking for a partner.
“Tried it. Not for me. Not at all,” Pauley declared. “Probably the best decision I ever made was realizing I don’t need a boyfriend, husband, or partner. I do whatever I want, and it’s rad!”
We’re so happy Pauley Perrette made it through her stroke. We wish her all the best and hope to see her on screen soon.
