Sean Murray has worked with some serious talent on NCIS, but when it comes to his top three favorite guest stars, he totally swerved past the obvious picks. No Jamie Lee Curtis. No Zac Efron. Instead, he gave a shout out to actors who didn’t just crush their roles but left a lasting mark on him personally. And with NCIS running for two freaking decades, that’s saying something.
So, who made the cut? Let’s just say, his choices are as underrated as they are brilliant. Buck up, because you’re in for a surprise.
Sean Murray names his 3 favorite NCIS guest stars and they’re not who you’d expect
Sean Murray’s seen countless guest stars come and go on NCIS. But when asked about his favorites, Jamie Lee Curtis and Zac Efron didn’t make the cut. Instead, Murray had three standout names in mind — Hollywood legends who left a lasting impression.
First up? Robert Wagner. The veteran actor played Tony DiNozzo’s charming, con-artist father in 13 episodes. Wagner, known for Austin Powers and The Towering Inferno, brought both humor and heart to the role.
Murray shared during an interview with WHOSAY,
We’ve had so many really great … one of my favorite recurrences is Robert Wagner as Anthony DiNozzo Sr…Having Lily Tomlin play grandmother was really amazing … Lily Tomlin is just such incredible talent, it’s beyond words…You get really surprised to see some of the cool people that show up.
Then there’s Lily Tomlin, who guest-starred as McGee’s grandmother in Season 9. In The Penelope Papers, her character gets tangled in an NCIS investigation, but her sharp wit and undeniable presence stole the show. Murray called her talent beyond words, and honestly, that track — she’s Lily Tomlin.
Finally, comedy icon Bob Newhart made Murray’s list. In Season 8, he played Doctor Walter Magnus, a former NCIS medical examiner offering wisdom to the team. Known for Elf and The Bob Newhart Show, his guest spot was a perfect blend of humor and heart.
With 19 seasons and a never-ending list of guest stars, it’s saying something that these three stood out. Safe to say, NCIS has had no shortage of iconic faces.
Sean Murray worries NCIS could kill off McGee next for shock value
Sean Murray has been with NCIS since day one, but after 22 seasons, he’s not sure how much longer Special Agent Timothy McGee will last. With the show’s history of dramatic exits, he reportedly worries producers might kill off his character for shock value.
“You never know what’s going to happen,” Murray admitted, reflecting on the many cast shake-ups over the years. He’s watched major stars leave — Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, even Mark Harmon — some by choice, others under tense circumstances.
Though slated to return for Season 23, insiders say Murray remains uneasy. NCIS thrives on unexpected twists, and a high-stakes farewell could be next. Even with his hefty $300K-per-episode paycheck, he fears an abrupt end.
For now, McGee is still standing. But with NCIS, nothing is ever certain.
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