Actress Pauley Perrette, best known for her role as Abby Sciuto on the CBS drama NCIS, left the show six years ago and has since announced her permanent retirement from acting. In a recent interview, she emphasized that she has changed as a person and wants to be present for all aspects of her life, both good and bad. Perrette also discussed her desire to live authentically and find truth in everything, which has led her to step away from acting and focus on producing documentaries like Studio One Forever.
Following her departure from NCIS, Perrette briefly starred in the CBS sitcom Broke before officially retiring from acting. The cancellation of Broke marked the end of her on-screen career, and she has since been dedicated to pursuing projects that allow her to live authentically and speak her truth. Perrette expressed that she found acting to be an escape from her own problems, but she now values the honesty and authenticity found in documentaries and is committed to living true to herself at all times.
Throughout her time on NCIS, Perrette’s portrayal of Abby Sciuto earned her widespread popularity and recognition as one of the most beloved characters on primetime television. Her decision to leave the show shocked many fans, and following her final episode, she posted cryptic tweets alluding to workplace issues. While some fans speculated about the reasons for her departure, Perrette later clarified that CBS had always supported her and that there were no plans for her to return to the show in the future.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, NCIS executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson explained that the source of Perrette’s discontent stemmed from an incident involving a dog belonging to her costar, Mark Harmon. Perrette, a strong advocate for animal rights, reportedly felt unsafe on set due to the presence of the dog, which led to her decision to leave the show. Harmon, who departed NCIS in 2021, has not publicly addressed the conflict, and the ongoing success of the series has been marked by the announcement of the prequel series NCIS: Origins.
As Perrette continues to navigate life after acting, she remains focused on finding authenticity and truth in all aspects of her work. Her decision to retire from acting was a personal choice driven by a desire to live more authentically and be present for both the positive and challenging moments in her life. Through her work in producing documentaries and other projects, Perrette is able to explore new avenues of self-expression while staying true to her values and beliefs.
