What Happened to Michael Weatherly?
Michael Weatherly is an American actor, producer, and director best known for his long-running roles as Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo in 'NCIS' and Dr. Jason Bull in 'Bull'. After leaving 'NCIS' in 2016 and 'Bull' in 2022, he recently starred in the 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' spinoff in 2025 and is set to return to the flagship 'NCIS' series for a season-long arc in Fall 2026.
Quick Answer
Michael Weatherly, known for his iconic roles in 'NCIS' and 'Bull', is currently making a significant return to the 'NCIS' universe. After starring in the Paramount+ spinoff 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' in 2025, which concluded after one season, he is slated to reprise his role as Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo for a season-long storyline in the upcoming 24th season of 'NCIS', set to air in Fall 2026. He continues to be active in acting and producing, while also pursuing his passion for music and philanthropy.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Born in New York City
Michael Weatherly Jr. was born in New York City and raised in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Television Debut
Weatherly made his television debut with a minor role on 'The Cosby Show'.
Role in 'Loving' and 'The City'
He played the role of Cooper Alden in the soap operas 'Loving' and its sequel, 'The City'.
First Marriage and Son's Birth
Married his 'Loving' co-star Amelia Heinle; their son August was born in 1996. They divorced in 1997.
Starring in 'Dark Angel'
Weatherly gained wider recognition for his role as Logan Cale in the sci-fi series 'Dark Angel', where he starred opposite Jessica Alba.
Joins 'NCIS' as Anthony DiNozzo
He began his iconic role as Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, first appearing in 'JAG' and then as a main cast member in the 'NCIS' spin-off.
Marries Bojana Janković
Weatherly married Serbian-Canadian internist Bojana Janković.
Daughter Olivia Born
He and Bojana Janković welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Olivia.
Son Liam Born
Their second child, a son named Liam, was born.
Departs 'NCIS'
Weatherly made his final regular appearance as Anthony DiNozzo, citing a desire for new challenges and burnout.
Premiere of 'Bull'
He took on the lead role of Dr. Jason Bull in the CBS legal drama 'Bull', which was inspired by Dr. Phil McGraw's early career.
Directs 'Jamaica Man'
Weatherly directed the documentary film 'Jamaica Man', which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival.
'Bull' Series Finale
The series 'Bull' concluded after six seasons, following Weatherly's decision to leave the show.
Guest Appearance on 'NCIS' Tribute
He returned to 'NCIS' for a guest appearance in a season 21 episode, honoring the late David McCallum.
Stars in 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva' Spinoff
Weatherly reprised his role as Tony DiNozzo alongside Cote de Pablo in the Paramount+ spinoff 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva', which ran for one season.
Announced Return to 'NCIS' for Season 24
CBS announced that Michael Weatherly will return to 'NCIS' for a season-long arc as Tony DiNozzo in the upcoming 24th season, airing Fall 2026.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Michael Weatherly Jr. was born on July 8, 1968, in New York City, and embarked on his acting career in the early 1990s with roles in television shows like 'The Cosby Show' and the soap operas 'Loving' and 'The City'. His career gained significant traction when he starred as Logan Cale in James Cameron's science fiction series 'Dark Angel' from 2000 to 2002.
The pivotal moment in Weatherly's career arrived in 2003 when he was cast as 'Very' Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo in the CBS procedural drama 'NCIS'. He became a beloved fixture on the show, appearing in over 300 episodes across 13 seasons. His departure from 'NCIS' in 2016 was driven by a desire for new creative challenges and a feeling of burnout from the demanding production schedule. The character of DiNozzo left to raise his newly discovered daughter, Tali, with Ziva David, after Ziva's presumed death.
Immediately following his exit from 'NCIS', Weatherly transitioned to the lead role in another CBS series, 'Bull', which premiered in September 2016. In 'Bull', he portrayed Dr. Jason Bull, a trial science expert loosely based on the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw. The show ran for six seasons, concluding in May 2022. Weatherly announced his decision to leave 'Bull' to pursue further creative endeavors, leading to the show's cancellation as CBS opted not to continue without its star. During his time on 'Bull', there were also reports of harassment allegations made by actress Eliza Dushku, which resulted in a settlement from CBS.
In the years following 'Bull', Weatherly maintained a presence in the 'NCIS' universe, making a guest appearance in a 2024 tribute episode for David McCallum. He then reunited with co-star Cote de Pablo for the Paramount+ spinoff series 'NCIS: Tony & Ziva', which premiered in 2025 but was canceled after one season. As of July 15, 2026, the latest development in Weatherly's career is the exciting announcement that he will return to the original 'NCIS' series for a season-long arc as Tony DiNozzo in its 24th season, scheduled for Fall 2026. This return marks a significant moment for fans, bringing his beloved character back into the fold of the main series. Weatherly is married to internist Bojana Janković, with whom he has two children, Olivia and Liam, and also has a son, August, from his previous marriage to Amelia Heinle. He is also a musician, producer, director, and actively involved in various philanthropic efforts.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Michael Weatherly made different choices?