The Saddest 'NCIS' Exits

Now in its 18th season, NCIS is still the most popular show on primetime television. But having been on the air for that long, the series has said goodbye to a number of stars over the years. Deaths, departures, and more have led to shocking and heartbreaking exits over the show's history. From the early seasons to the newest episodes airing today, these exits were the saddest moments on NCIS...

For eight years, Cote de Pablo played Special Agent "Ziva David" in NCIS. After season 11, she left the cast and the audience learned in season 13 that she was killed in Israel. But "Ziva" had a secret...

As it turns out, "Ziva" had a child with another popular former Special Agent: "Tony DiNozzo," played by the amazing Michael Weatherly, who never knew about this. After he found out about his daughter "Tali," he left the Naval Criminal Investigative Service to take care of her - and Weatherly's tenure on NCIS ended after 13 seasons!

Special Agent "Caitlin 'Kate' Todd," played by Sasha Alexander, was killed in season 2 by a terrorist, who shot her in the head. She did not only leave behind a shocked NCIS team, but also her devastated fans!

This exit from the show was truly heartbreaking for many fans of NCIS. Pauley Perrette portrayed the forensic scientist "Abigail 'Abby' Sciuto" for 14 seasons, but season 15 was her last on the popular show. A hard blow for all those who loved "Abby"!

Lauren Holly played the character of "Jenny Shepard" on NCIS and fans really loved her. However, she reportedly got bored of her character and was ready to move on to something new - the producers heard her and "Jenny" was killed off in season 5 of the show.

In 2016, Special Agent "Alex Quinn" joined the team and filled a main role in NCIS season 14. However, actress Jennifer Esposito stayed on for just one season, and her character resigned citing the need to care for her mother with Alzheimer's. "Alex" remains the only NCIS main cast member to appear in only one season.

Not long after fans said goodbye to "Alex Quinn," NCIS had another emotional farewell—this time by way of a death. In season 15, MI6 Agent "Clayton Reeves" died in a mugging that also left "Abby" wounded. The incident also sparked "Abby's" departure. Actor Duane Henry had played "Reeves" for three seasons on the show.

"Jacqueline 'Jack' Sloane" wasn't on NCIS for all that long, but fans really enjoyed the possibility of her romance with "Gibbs." Ultimately, however, "Sloane" left the team in season 18. She bid an emotional farewell to "Gibbs" and stayed in Afghanistan after a gruelling case there.

NCIS fans finally had to do the unimaginable in season 19: say goodbye to "Gibbs." The longtime NCIS boss departed after solving one final case. He chose to stay in Alaska and bid an emotional farewell to "McGee." Actor Mark Harmon had been with the series since season 1.

QUIZ: How Well Do You Know "Gibbs" From NCIS?