Austin Stowell, known for his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS: Origins, has experienced both highs and personal struggles off-screen. Born and raised in Kensington, Connecticut, Austin’s path to acting started at the University of Connecticut’s Department of Dramatic Arts. He made his TV debut in 2009 on The Secret Life of the American Teenager before landing a main role on NCIS: Origins in 2024.
Beyond his career, Austin has had a colorful personal life. He joked about being “in a relationship with a TV show” and humorously claimed to have “dated 300 people,” referring to his onscreen relationships. Austin also had a notable seven-month relationship with Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev, but they broke up in 2016. Nina has since moved on and is now engaged to Olympic snowboarder Shaun White.
Austin’s life took a tragic turn in 2020 when he lost his father, Robert, to suicide after a long battle with mental illness. Austin shared the heart-wrenching loss on Instagram, reflecting on the importance of mental health and encouraging others to open up. He highlighted how men of his father’s generation often struggled to express emotions, which he believes contributes to the stigma surrounding mental health. Austin emphasized that “emotions should be felt freely” and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Through his personal tragedy, Austin has become an advocate for mental health awareness, urging those struggling to know they are not alone and that their feelings are valid.
