With NCIS: Tony & Ziva powering through the 2025 TV schedule, many fans are revisiting the landmark moments that turned NCIS into a global phenomenon. Few people have a better vantage point than Michael Weatherly, who spent 13 seasons as Special Agent Tony DiNozzo. Asked to reflect on the guest stars who made the biggest impact during his tenure, Weatherly spotlighted a handful of unforgettable performances—some moving, some uproariously funny, and all essential to the show’s legacy.
Rewinding to Tony DiNozzo’s Era on NCIS
Weatherly was among the original core cast when NCIS premiered in 2003, carrying Tony over from the JAG backdoor pilots “Ice Queen” and “Meltdown.” Over more than a decade, he helped shape the series’ signature blend of character chemistry, procedural stakes, and unexpected humor. During a screening event for NCIS: Tony & Ziva in New York City, the actor told People that a few guest stars still stand out in his memory—and one, he admitted with a grin, was simply “hilarious.”
A Masterclass in Drama: Charles Durning’s “Call of Silence”
Weatherly singled out Charles Durning, whose appearance remains one of the franchise’s most acclaimed guest turns. In Season 2’s “Call of Silence,” Durning portrayed a former Marine and Medal of Honor recipient who turns himself in to NCIS, convinced he killed his best friend during the Battle of Iwo Jima. The episode unfolds as a deeply humane interrogation that probes memory, guilt, and honor. Durning’s nuanced performance earned him an Emmy nomination, and to this day, it’s often cited by fans as among the series’ most emotionally resonant hours. Weatherly called Durning “amazing,” a simple description that matches the quiet power the veteran actor brought to the screen.
Durning’s work embodies what NCIS does at its best: it anchors a procedural mystery in heartfelt character storytelling. By the end of the episode, viewers aren’t just invested in a whodunit—they’re wrestling with the cost of war and the fragility of memory. For a show that thrives on case-of-the-week pacing, that kind of depth leaves a lasting imprint.
Bob Newhart’s Poignant—and Funny—Turn in “Recruited”
Weatherly also highlighted comedy legend Bob Newhart, whom he fondly remembered as “hilarious” on set. In Season 8’s “Recruited,” Newhart played Dr. Walter Magnus, the mentor who shaped Ducky Mallard’s early career and is now slipping into Alzheimer’s. The casting was inspired: Newhart’s gentle timing and understated charm gave the episode warmth, while the storyline’s serious undercurrent offered a bittersweet contrast. Weatherly has hinted that he watched Newhart deliver a moment on set that was unforgettable—too long a tale to share in full, he teased, but the admiration was unmistakable.
Newhart, who passed away in 2024, brought an uncommon mix of levity and vulnerability to NCIS. His appearance is a reminder that the series often invites unexpected performers to play against type, deepening the emotional stakes while still delivering the wry humor that fans love.
Family Ties on the Front Line: Robert Wagner as Tony’s Father
Another favorite for Weatherly was Robert Wagner, who stepped into the role of Anthony DiNozzo Sr. in Season 7’s “Flesh and Blood.” The casting proved to be a home run: Wagner’s suave presence and old-school charm made Tony’s complicated family history crackle with life. What began as a one-off introduction evolved into a recurring relationship, with Wagner returning for 12 more episodes through Season 16—well past Weatherly’s exit—illustrating how impactful the character became within the NCIS ecosystem.
Wagner’s appearances added layers to Tony beyond the wisecracks and investigative instincts. Their father-son dynamics swung from playful to poignant, often revealing why DiNozzo guarded his heart and cracked jokes at the very moments truth threatened to break through. As of now, there’s no indication that Wagner will reprise the role in NCIS: Tony & Ziva, but the door remains tantalizingly open in fan conversations.
A Comedy Icon in McGee’s Orbit: Lily Tomlin’s “The Penelope Papers”
Weatherly’s list also included Lily Tomlin, another titan of stage and screen. Tomlin guest starred in Season 9’s “The Penelope Papers” as Penelope Langston, Timothy McGee’s grandmother. She brought a spark of mischief and intelligence to the role, folding family history into a case that tested loyalties and kept the banter brisk. Tomlin’s presence underscored a broader NCIS tradition: calling on Hollywood royalty to deliver character-driven stories that expand the team’s world.
Her performance connected McGee’s personal life with the professional pressures of the job, proving how effectively NCIS interlaces family ties with high-stakes investigations. It’s the kind of balancing act that keeps longtime viewers invested.
Decades of Memorable Cameos: An NCIS Calling Card
Weatherly’s picks barely scratch the surface of NCIS guest stars over the years. From dramatic heavyweights to future A-listers—like Sterling K. Brown before his breakthrough on This Is Us—the series has consistently attracted talent capable of elevating its weekly mysteries. These appearances don’t just pad the cast list; they enrich character arcs, create emotional anchors within standalone cases, and give the ensemble new colors to play against.
The result is a show that feels both familiar and fresh: fans tune in for the team dynamic, then leave with indelible performances from artists who might only grace a single episode. It’s a formula that has kept NCIS relevant across decades and spinoffs.
Spotlight Back On: Weatherly Returns with NCIS: Tony & Ziva
While he briefly popped back in for last year’s televised tribute to the late David McCallum, Weatherly is now front and center again with NCIS: Tony & Ziva, reuniting on-screen with Cote de Pablo. The spinoff offers a new chapter for two of the franchise’s most beloved characters, tapping into the chemistry and tension that made their relationship a fan favorite on the mothership series.
If you’re following the 2025 TV calendar, you can catch new episodes of NCIS: Tony & Ziva on Thursdays with a Paramount+ subscription. The show’s momentum has fans buzzing, and its blend of action, wit, and character-first storytelling feels like a natural evolution of what made NCIS a staple in the first place.
Why This Matters
Weatherly’s reminiscences highlight something core to NCIS: guest stars are not window dressing—they’re catalysts. Charles Durning reframed what a procedural hour can feel like. Bob Newhart proved that comedy and pathos can occupy the same frame. Robert Wagner deepened Tony’s backstory, and Lily Tomlin broadened McGee’s world. Together, they helped define the emotional range of the series.
As NCIS: Tony & Ziva carries the franchise forward, that legacy matters. The right guest star can tilt a story into something unforgettable, shaping character choices that echo for seasons. If history is any guide, the spinoff will draw on that same well of talent to surprise longtime viewers and pull new audiences into the fold—one standout performance at a time.