Pauley Perrette has decided to step away from her acting career for good. The former “NCIS” star, who claimed to have been physically assaulted during her time on the show before leaving in 2018, announced in a recent interview with Hello magazine that she will “never again” return to acting.
Perrette expressed gratitude for the opportunities she received through her acting career but emphasized she has evolved and now seeks to experience life’s highs and lows authentically. “I want to be me all the time,” she shared, acknowledging the courage it takes to make such a statement about herself.
Having transitioned to working behind the scenes on documentaries, Perrette feels it’s in her best interest to avoid the spotlight. She described acting as a means of escape during difficult times, likening it to a drug that allowed her to step outside her problems by embodying different characters.
“I only watch documentaries, I want the truth,” she stated, further declaring that returning to acting would detract from her commitment to living authentically.
Perrette’s entertainment career began in the 1990s with appearances in various shows, including “Murder One,” “Frasier,” and “Dawson’s Creek.” She gained fame playing forensic specialist Abby Sciuto on “NCIS,” a role she held from 2003 until her departure in 2018, after alleging multiple attacks endured on set.
CBS expressed support for Perrette during the allegations, emphasizing a commitment to maintaining a safe work environment. Following her departure, Perrette later made a startling claim on social media, accusing her former co-star Mark Harmon of attacking her, while also rejecting any idea of returning to “NCIS,” stating, “I am terrified of Harmon and him attacking me. I have nightmares about it.”
Mark Harmon has not publicly commented on Perrette’s accusations. He concluded his role on “NCIS” in 2021 after an 18-year tenure.