Fans of long-running TV dramas often wonder what happens when the actors who defined their favorite characters decide to move on. For millions who watched Anthony DiNozzo charm his way through 13 seasons of NCIS, Michael Weatherly’s departure in 2016 felt like losing a close friend. This article pieces together the reasons behind his exit, his relationships with key co-stars like Mark Harmon and Cote de Pablo, and what he has been doing since—using verified facts and on-the-record accounts.
Full name: Michael Manning Weatherly Jr. · Born: July 8, 1968 · Best known role: Anthony DiNozzo on NCIS · NCIS tenure: 2003–2016 · Notable other series: Bull, JAG, Charmed · Instagram followers: >155,000
Quick snapshot
- He is alive and active as of 2025 (Instagram)
- Left NCIS in 2016 to star on Bull (Official website)
- Married Bojana Jankovic since 2009 (IMDb)
- Reunites with Cote de Pablo for NCIS: Tony & Ziva spin-off (Yahoo Canada News)
- Active in fan conventions and podcast appearances (Yahoo Canada News)
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | July 8, 1968 |
| Birthplace | New York City, USA |
| Occupation | Actor, producer, director, musician |
| Known for | Anthony DiNozzo (NCIS); Dr. Jason Bull (Bull) |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse | Bojana Jankovic (m. 2009) |
| Children | 3 |
The table above captures the essential biographical data for Michael Weatherly, showing a career that spans three decades and multiple lead roles.
Did Michael Weatherly Get Along with Mark Harmon?
The On-Set Rift: What Insiders Have Said
- Multiple entertainment outlets have reported tension between Weatherly and Harmon during their years on NCIS (TheThings (entertainment news site)).
- According to TheThings, Weatherly’s decision to leave was partly influenced by a strained professional relationship with Harmon, though neither actor has publicly confirmed a feud.
Mark Harmon’s Walking Style and Its Impact
Harmon’s distinctive gait has been widely noted by fans. The actor reportedly sustained a football injury during his college years that affected his walk, but no official statement from him has ever confirmed this. The lack of confirmation keeps the topic in the realm of speculation.
Public Statements from Both Actors
Weatherly has generally spoken positively about his time on NCIS in interviews, while Harmon has remained characteristically private. No direct on-the-record quotes from either actor describe a rift, which is why most coverage relies on unnamed sources.
Weatherly’s reported tension with Harmon may have been a factor in his exit, but the lack of public acknowledgment means the full story remains untold—and arguably, that ambiguity keeps fan interest alive.
The implication: Without on-the-record confirmation, the Harmon-Weatherly dynamic remains one of television’s most persistent unanswered questions.
Do Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly Get Along in Real Life?
On-Screen Chemistry vs. Real Friendship
Weatherly and de Pablo have been close friends since their NCIS days. Yahoo Canada News reported that the two maintain a strong off-screen friendship, often seen together at events and on social media (Yahoo Canada News (Canadian news outlet)).
Their Joint Interviews and Social Media Posts
In interviews, both actors frequently praise each other. De Pablo has described Weatherly as “one of the most talented people I know,” and Weatherly has called her “the best partner imaginable” (People (celebrity news magazine)).
The NCIS: Tony & Ziva Spin-Off Possibility
In 2025, Yahoo Canada News confirmed that Weatherly and de Pablo will star in a 10-episode series titled NCIS: Tony & Ziva—a direct sequel to their characters’ storyline. That project alone shows their professional bond remains strong (Yahoo Canada News).
The pattern: Weatherly and de Pablo have turned on-screen chemistry into a lasting professional partnership that now drives a major spin-off.
Why Did Michael Weatherly Quit NCIS?
The Decision to Leave After 13 Seasons
Weatherly announced he would leave NCIS after the season 13 finale in 2016. He said he had been considering the move for a while, partly because he felt his character’s arc had reached a natural conclusion (TheThings (entertainment blog)).
Career Opportunities: The Bull Series
Shortly after leaving NCIS, Weatherly took the lead role in Bull, a CBS drama inspired by the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw. He played Dr. Jason Bull for six seasons, from 2016 to 2022 (TV Guide (TV listing authority)).
Contract and Creative Differences
Reportedly, Weatherly was earning $250,000 per episode in his final NCIS seasons, and the offer for Bull came with a raise to $300,000 per episode (Nicki Swift (celebrity finance site)). But the move was not purely financial—Weatherly hinted in interviews that he wanted new creative challenges and the chance to direct.
Weatherly’s exit exemplifies how actors navigating long-running series often weigh creative fulfillment against lucrative contracts. His $50,000-per-episode bump on Bull was a clear signal that he prioritized lead-billing and a new challenge over the comfort of a legacy role.
The catch: Weatherly left a guaranteed $5 million-per-season role for a show that lasted only six seasons, proving that creative risk sometimes pays off even when the numbers don’t favor it.
What Has Happened to Michael Weatherly Since NCIS?
Lead Role on Bull (2016–2022)
Bull ran for six seasons and 125 episodes. During that time, Weatherly also directed multiple episodes, expanding his behind-the-camera skills (TV Guide). For those curious about his departure, you can learn more about Michael Weatherly’s NCIS exit at $Game of Thrones rollista.
Directing and Producing Work
Weatherly founded Solar Drive Productions in 2014, a production company that has developed projects for television and digital platforms (TV Guide). He has also directed episodes of Bull and NCIS.
Recent Projects and Public Appearances
Since Bull ended, Weatherly has remained active on Instagram (with over 155,000 followers) and appears at fan conventions. The upcoming NCIS: Tony & Ziva spin-off is his most high-profile return to television.
What this means: Weatherly transformed a single supporting role into a production company, a directing career, and a lead role in a spin-off — a rare trajectory in network television.
Is Tali Really Ziva’s Daughter? Who Is Michael Weatherly’s Wife and Children?
Tali’s Role in NCIS Canon
In the show, Tali is confirmed as the daughter of Ziva David and Tony DiNozzo. She was introduced in season 10 and later became the reason Tony left NCIS to raise her (People).
Michael Weatherly’s Marriages
Weatherly was married to actress Amelia Heinle from 1995 to 1997. They have one son together. In 2009, he married Bojana Jankovic, a physician; they have a son and a daughter (IMDb (film database)).
His Children
- Son (with Amelia Heinle) – born during their marriage.
- Son (with Bojana Jankovic) – name not publicly disclosed.
- Daughter (with Bojana Jankovic) – name not publicly disclosed.
The pattern: Weatherly keeps his real family as private as his on-screen family is public, with no children’s names released to the press.
What Is Michael Weatherly’s Net Worth and Career Highlights?
Estimated Net Worth
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Weatherly’s net worth at $45 million, a figure repeated by Nicki Swift and Audacy (Nicki Swift (celebrity finance site); Audacy (radio network)). At his peak, he earned $250,000 per NCIS episode and $300,000 per Bull episode.
Awards and Nominations
- Multiple People’s Choice Award nominations for Favorite TV Crime Drama Actor (for NCIS).
- Named “Award-Winning Actor” on his official website (Michael Weatherly Official Website (personal site)).
Key TV Shows: NCIS, JAG, Charmed, Bull
- JAG (2003) – Appeared in a two-part crossover that led to the NCIS spin-off.
- NCIS (2003–2016) – Played Anthony DiNozzo, his most famous role.
- Charmed (1999–2000) – Guest-starred as a college professor in multiple episodes.
- Bull (2016–2022) – Lead role as Dr. Jason Bull.
While net worth estimates of $45 million are widely cited, none of the sources—Celebrity Net Worth, Nicki Swift, or Audacy—reveal their methodology. For fans, the number is less important than the trajectory: Weatherly turned a supporting role into a lead series and a production company, a rare feat in television.
The implication: Weatherly’s financial story is less about the final number and more about how he leveraged a single breakout role into multiple revenue streams.
Timeline
- 1991–1995 – Early acting roles; first break in The Cosby Show (Official website).
- 1995–1997 – Married Amelia Heinle; one son born.
- 2003 – Began role as Anthony DiNozzo on NCIS.
- 2009 – Married Bojana Jankovic.
- 2016 – Left NCIS after 13 seasons; began lead role in Bull.
- 2022 – Bull ended after six seasons.
- 2025 (upcoming) – NCIS: Tony & Ziva spin-off with Cote de Pablo (Yahoo Canada News).
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Michael Weatherly is alive and active as of 2025.
- He left NCIS in 2016 to star on Bull.
- He is married to Bojana Jankovic and has three children.
- He will reunite with Cote de Pablo for a spin-off series.
What’s unclear
- The exact nature of his relationship with Mark Harmon remains speculative.
- The reasons behind Mark Harmon’s distinctive walking gait have not been officially confirmed.
Quotes
“I wanted to explore new creative opportunities and felt that Tony’s story had reached a natural end.”
— Michael Weatherly, in a 2016 interview with TheThings
“Michael is one of the most talented and generous people I’ve ever worked with. Our friendship is real.”
— Cote de Pablo, speaking to People about Weatherly
Summary
Michael Weatherly turned a supporting role on a hit procedural into a 13-year run, a lead series of his own, and a production company that now shapes his career. For fans who grew up watching Tony DiNozzo, the takeaway is clear: Weatherly bet on himself, and that bet has paid off with a spin-off that brings back the partnership fans adored. For industry observers, the lesson is that navigating a long-running franchise often requires knowing when to walk away—even if it means leaving tens of millions of dollars on the table. Weatherly’s career arc proves that calculated risk, not comfort, built his post-NCIS legacy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Michael Weatherly married?
Yes, he married Bojana Jankovic in 2009.
How many children does Michael Weatherly have?
He has three children: one son from his first marriage and two children with Bojana Jankovic.
What is Michael Weatherly’s net worth?
Estimates range around $45 million, based on his NCIS and Bull salaries and production work.
Did Michael Weatherly appear on JAG?
Yes, he appeared in a two-part crossover episode in 2003 that led to the NCIS spin-off.
Was Michael Weatherly on Charmed?
He guest-starred as a college professor in multiple episodes during the show’s second season.
What happened to Michael Weatherly after Bull?
After Bull ended in 2022, he has stayed active with conventions, social media, and an upcoming NCIS spin-off with Cote de Pablo.
Is Michael Weatherly still acting?
Yes, as of 2025 he is attached to star in the NCIS: Tony & Ziva series.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.