How Michael Weatherly Handled Fame—And What Surprised Him About NCIS’s Popularity
Michael Weatherly, the star of “NCIS,” navigated fame with surprising ease, particularly because he lived in Los Angeles, where celebrities abound. Despite being a leading actor on one of TV’s most-watched shows, Weatherly often felt overshadowed by bigger stars like Simon Cowell and Paris Hilton. “In LA, you get used to seeing famous people everywhere. It makes you numb to the whole concept of fame,” Weatherly told Cult TV.
However, the actor’s experience with fame took a twist when he traveled outside of LA. In France, for example, Weatherly discovered just how much “NCIS” was adored, experiencing a level of recognition that was absent back home. “It was like a parallel dimension,” he said of his Paris visit. “The French were incredibly enthusiastic about the show, which was surprising given their usual indifference to American military dramas.”
Weatherly’s trip to Paris included VIP treatment that contrasted sharply with his normal travel experiences. “I enjoyed a luxurious hotel stay, dining at Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower, and shopping at Hermès, where staff were huge fans of ‘NCIS,’” he revealed.
As for when CBS realized “NCIS” was a hit, Weatherly reflects on a key moment. The show struggled early on, but it began to gain traction by season 3. According to Weatherly, CBS fully understood the show’s potential around season 7. He recalls a pivotal moment: “I was shooting a scene where I ad-libbed asking for a glass of chardonnay, and they included it in a commercial. That was the first time I felt the network truly grasped what ‘NCIS’ was about.”
Weatherly’s journey through fame and the show’s evolving success offer a fascinating look into how public recognition and network perceptions can shift dramatically.
