Pauley Perrette, despite her rocky exit from NCIS, reflects fondly on her role as Abby Sciuto and the lasting impact her character had, especially on young girls pursuing careers in STEM and forensics. In a May 2018 interview on The Talk, Pauley shared how the “Abby effect” inspired girls worldwide to see math and science as exciting and accessible fields. “It’s been overwhelming, inspiring young girls to pursue science and math,” she said, noting how many of them have since earned their degrees.
Pauley played the beloved, gothic forensic scientist for 15 years before her surprising departure in 2018, amid rumors of a fallout with co-star Mark Harmon. While she addressed the situation in social media posts, claiming to be bullied and unsafe on set, executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson later confirmed that Pauley’s exit was linked to an on-set incident involving Mark Harmon’s dog. She reportedly felt unsafe due to the dog’s presence on set, and ultimately decided it was time to move on.
Since retiring from acting in 2022, Pauley has distanced herself from the industry but continues to work behind the scenes as an executive producer. Her most recent project is the 2023 documentary Studio One Forever, focusing on a prominent gay disco in Los Angeles.
