Former NCIS Guest Star Discusses Ongoing Recognition After Appearing in Just 3 Episodes

A seasoned actor has revealed that he continues to be recognized for his brief appearance in NCIS, despite only featuring in three episodes. The enduring CBS procedural is known for showcasing familiar faces portraying unforgettable characters. In a recent season 22 premiere, actress Jackie Tohn, known from GLOW and Nobody Wants This, took on the role of a lawyer with secrets to hide.

Throughout its history, NCIS has welcomed numerous established celebrities, including singer Mya, actress Jamie Lee Curtis from Halloween, and legendary funnyman Bob Newhart. Notably, Zac Efron made a cameo in 2006, just days before his breakout role as Troy Bolton in Disney Channel’s High School Musical. In light of this, another actor reflects on the continued recognition he receives for a much more significant role in the series.

Scott Wolf: A Lasting Impression from NCIS

Wolf Portrays Casey Stratton/Jonathan Cole

Scott Wolf as Casey in NCIS, holding an FBI badge

Scott Wolf, known for his role as Bailey Salinger in the classic family drama Party of Five and for recent appearances in The CW’s Nancy Drew, recalls getting recognized from his portrayal of the duplicitous character, Jonathan Cole, in season 9 of NCIS. Although his character initially aids the team, he ultimately reveals a more sinister side and meets his end by the season finale.

During an interview with TV Insider, Scott reflected on his time with NCIS while discussing his role in the Fox medical drama Doc. He credited former lead Mark Harmon for creating a welcoming atmosphere and emphasized that Cole’s character development contributed to its memorability. Here’s Wolf’s insight:

“I did three episodes, I don’t even know how long ago, and I might get stopped for that in airports as much as anything else. It’s a very popular show, obviously. But there was something about the fact that they made a little arc out of that character, and he wasn’t a one-off, shoot people and go away [character].”

“NCIS was great. Mark Harmon, salt of the Earth, generous, really made me feel welcome there. They told a very cool story with my character. Oftentimes when you come in and play a character like I did — he was a villain, he was like this rogue ex-Navy Seal who wanted to shoot people and harm people. But they wound up sort of redeeming him in the end.”

Jonathan Cole serves with a Special Ops Team called the Phantom Force and ultimately sacrifices himself to protect Gibbs (played by Harmon) and his colleagues. His character’s complex motivations lead him to believe in the righteousness of his actions, even if they involve violence. His final act, portrayed as heroic, enhances the depth of his character, making a lasting impact on viewers.

Our Perspective on Wolf’s Continued Recognition

The Influence of Streaming on Recognition

The immense popularity of NCIS, especially on streaming platforms, contributes to the ongoing recognition of Wolf’s role as a significant yet minor antagonist within the extensive franchise. Viewers can easily revisit past episodes, keeping characters like Cole fresh in their minds—especially since he was involved in attempts to take down fan-favorite Tony DiNozzo (portrayed by Michael Weatherly).

For more on this topic, check out the full interview at TV Insider.

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