Did You Know: TV Trivia

I’ve let a few months go by without another article for my “Did You Know” series of articles so I thought it was time I focused on that again.

Much of what is to follow is trivia related to three major cast members on the long-running CBS franchise series NCIS so I’ll start with those first.

Did You Know…

Michael Weatherly (2003) Photo Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS

Michael Weatherley starred in NCIS since its very beginning back in 2003 when it was a two-episode back-door pilot within the long-running military series JAG. He appeared as Special Agent Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo in over 300 episodes of that long-running drama. During the freshman season of NCIS, Weatherley also starred in a TV mini-series called The Mystery of Natalie Wood, playing legendary actor Robert Wagner, the husband of the late Natalie Wood. Ironically enough, seven seasons later Robert Wagner himself appeared as Anthony DiNozzo, Sr., Tony’s dad, and he has appeared in at least 13 episodes since that time.

Did You Know…

Sasha, Edoardo and Sophia Loren Photo Credit: Getty

Sasha Alexander played NCIS Agent Caitlyn Todd for the first three seasons of the series before she left the show. Two years later Alexander married Edoardo Ponti, an Italian director. Ponti is the youngest son of legendary actress and sex symbol Sophia Loren. Alexander and Ponti have two children.

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Did You Know…

Sean Murray Photo Credit: Getty

Sean Murray has played Special Agent Timothy “Tim” McGee in NCIS since the 7th episode of the pilot season of the CBS drama. In 2005, Troian Bellisario was introduced as Tim’s sister Sarah McGee; she appeared in two episodes of NCIS during that particular season. Troian and Sean share a dad: Donald Bellisario, the creator of NCIS as well as the original Quantum Leap, Magnum P.I. and JAG. Troian is the biological daughter of Bellisario and actress Deborah Pratt, who got her start as a 5-year-old appearing in Quantum Leap. Sean is Bellisario’s stepson from his first marriage. Ironically, Michael Bellisario, also an actor, is the stepbrother of Sean and half-brother to Troian. Michael appeared as Charles “Chip” Sterling in 4 episodes of NCIS in 2005. It should also be noted that Troian, who went on to star in the long-running Freeform series Pretty Little Liars is married to actor Patrick J. Adams, who viewers will remember from Suits and who will be seen in the new Taylor Sheridan upcoming drama The Madison.

Did You Know…

Mahershala Ali Photo Credit: USA

Actor Mahershala Ali, best known for his roles in the 2017 Oscar winning film Moonlight as well as Green Book with Viggo Mortensen and Leave the World Behind with Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke, starred in the original USA Network series The 4400 from 2004 to 2007 as well as the NBC drama Crossing Jordan back in 2001-2002 [his first TV appearance, in fact] using his birth first name of Mahershalalhashbaz and his nickname Ali as his last name. Mahershala is still attached to the long-delayed Blade reboot.

Make sure to join us next time for more “Did You Know…” trivia.