“Still a survivor after this traumatic life I’ve been given,” says actress Pauley Perrette, best known for her role as Abby Sciuto, the quirky forensic scientist on NCIS. Perrette contributed significantly to one of the most beloved crime shows ever created.
Her departure from the series followed a series of unfortunate incidents, one involving her co-star Mark Harmon. Reports suggest that their relationship turned ‘icy’ after Harmon’s dog, frequently brought to the set, attacked a crew member. Perrette was displeased with Harmon’s reaction and his decision to continue bringing the dog despite the incident. While Harmon maintained that his Pit Bull was always leashed, other sources disputed this claim.
When Perrette decided to leave the show, she shared a heartfelt message with her fans on social media, expressing her love and gratitude for the character Abby and the support she received over 16 years. “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,” Perrette wrote. “All the love, all the laughter, all the inspiration… I love her as much as you do.”
At 53, Perrette opened up about her health, revealing she had ‘cheated death’ a year ago after suffering a massive stroke. On social media, she shared this update with her fans: “It’s 9/2. One year ago I had a massive stroke. Before that, I lost so many beloved family and friends. Yet still a survivor after this traumatic life I’ve been given so far.”
In a video, she expressed her heartbreak over losing her father and cousin before her stroke. “I’ve been through a lot in the last two years — things that are harder than having a stroke,” she said. “But I’m still here and I’m so grateful. And thank you, those of you who are my friends. Thank you. God bless you all. I’m still here.”
In an interview with Entertainment Now, Perrette detailed her experience with the stroke. “I woke up and had no feeling on the entire right side of my body,” she recounted. “At first, I thought I had just slept funny. When I realized the extent of the numbness, couldn’t feel my finger touching my face, couldn’t feel my face being touched by my finger, couldn’t feel my laptop sitting on my lap, no feeling at all on the right-hand side — I could have burned myself or cut my finger off and wouldn’t have known — I called my doctor and he said, ‘GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM IMMEDIATELY.’”
At the ER, the seriousness of her condition became clear. “Walked into the ER and said, ‘Hey, I can’t feel the right-hand side of my body and…’ BAM! OMG! I was on a gurney with a million things stuck in my arms and a bunch of medical people rushing me somewhere,” Perrette recalled. “They know how serious a stroke is and how immediate care is imperative.”
A year after her stroke, Perrette reported she had made a full recovery. “I am doing great and am super healthy now,” she told People, urging everyone to educate themselves on the signs of a stroke and the importance of immediate medical help. “Also that you can have a stroke AT ANY AGE, which I did not know. Teenagers can have a stroke,” she added.
Regarding her personal life, Perrette, who was once married, is currently single and content. She sought a restraining order after her divorce from ex Coyote Shivers and has since decided not to pursue romantic relationships. “Tried it. Not for me. Not at all,” she stated. “Probably the best decision I ever made in my life was realizing I don’t have to have a boyfriend, husband, or girlfriend. I do whatever I want. And I think that is rad!”
We are thrilled that Pauley Perrette has overcome her health challenges and look forward to her future projects.
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