Pauley Perrette has fully embraced her life away from the limelight, dedicating much of her time to charitable endeavors and nurturing her home in California. The 55-year-old actress, who became a household name for her 15-year portrayal of Abby Sciuto on the CBS crime procedural NCIS, has shifted her focus since leaving the show in 2018. After a brief stint on the sitcom Broke, which was canceled after one season, Pauley announced her retirement from acting in 2020. Now, she often shares glimpses of her private life with her fans.
Recently, Pauley took to social media to share an update from her garden, showcasing her green thumb with photos of her first green tomatoes of the season. “My first three tomatoes of the season,” she captioned the images, extending her hand to display the fruits of her labor. Fans were quick to notice not just her gardening skills but also the small tattoos adorning her hand and fingers, including a rainbow, a cross, and an upward arrow.
One fan commented, “I know that hand like the back of my hand,” while another wrote, “I saw your hand and knew it was yours.” A third fan added, “We miss you on NCIS!” The photos highlighted Pauley’s connection with her followers, who continue to support her despite her departure from the show.
Pauley’s exit from NCIS was marked by an on-set incident involving Mark Harmon’s dog, which led to her decision to leave the series. Despite this, CBS executives David Stapf and Amy Reisenbach have expressed openness to the idea of Pauley making a cameo in the upcoming Tony & Ziva spin-off, starring Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo. “Not a bad idea,” David told Deadline. “We love Pauley, and she’s always welcome in any of the NCIS franchise, but it hasn’t come to us from the writers and/or from her.”
While there is no official word on whether Pauley will return to the show, she remains close with several of her former co-stars. The show’s longevity, despite the departure of fan favorites like Pauley and Mark Harmon, as well as the deaths of beloved cast members and showrunners, is a testament to its enduring appeal. “For me, I attribute it to the fact that there’s always been a core feeling that the people who write the show, the people who produce it, the crew and the actors, no matter whether they were there from the beginning or not, they understand the DNA of the show, and they’ve always stayed true to that,” Amy opined.
David added, “It’s sort of wish fulfillment TV. You want to know that there are people like this in the world that have your back from a law enforcement agency angle, but it’s also a fun workplace show, and the bond that they have and the [expletive] that they give each other and the way that they interact, is comforting.”
Pauley’s decision to leave NCIS was not an easy one. “It makes me sad to imagine a world without Abby in it,” she said. “It really makes me sad.” She admitted to going through a grieving process, often crying on her way to and from work. Abby Sciuto, with her goth-girl persona and neck tattoo, became an iconic character who made science cool and attainable for young women. “Abby made science cool and attainable for young women,” Pauley said. “And this television character did more than encourage it. It made it cool. It made it exciting. It made it fun.”
Despite her love for the character, Pauley has found happiness in her post-acting life. She spends much of her time at her Hollywood home with her dogs, finding solace in their company. “My dogs are my happiness,” she said. “They’re my reason for living.” Pauley has also embraced her independence, choosing to focus on herself rather than pursuing romantic relationships. “Probably the best decision I ever made in my life was the time that it took me to go like, ‘Wait a minute. This is silly. I don’t have to have a boyfriend, or a husband, or a girlfriend, or anything, you know?’ I don’t need any of that. Like, I do whatever I want. I do whatever I want. And I think that is rad!”
Pauley’s commitment to charitable work remains strong. She has supported more than two dozen charities, both personally and financially. She created a scholarship for girls who want to pursue science and math, in honor of Abby Sciuto. “In honor of Abby, and in honor of young women that want to pursue science and math and forensics,” she said. Pauley is also a regular at Hollywood United Methodist Church, where she finds peace and community.
While Pauley has received numerous offers to return to acting, she is content with her current life. “I’m being offered a lot. There’s a lot of conversations going on, yeah. And there’s me sittin’ at home on the couch, drinkin’ beer with my dogs. And I’m really good at it!” she said.
Pauley Perrette’s journey from beloved TV star to dedicated philanthropist and homebody is a testament to her resilience and commitment to living life on her own terms. Her fans continue to support her, eagerly awaiting each new update from her private life.
Source: CBS News, Deadline
