If you are a fan of NCIS, you probably know Pauley Perrette as the quirky and brilliant forensic scientist Abby Sciuto. But did you know that she has a brother on the show who is played by her ex-boyfriend in real life? Here is the surprising story behind Abby’s brother and how Perrette got him the role.
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Who is Daniel Louis Rivas?
Daniel Louis Rivas is an actor, producer, director and writer who has appeared in various films and TV shows. He was born and raised in New York City to a Mexican father and a Russian-Jewish mother from Venezuela. He started his acting career as a child, with his first speaking role opposite Gary Oldman in the classic film Sid and Nancy (1986).
Rivas has appeared in films such as Cherry (2010), Adrenaline (2003), Shackles (2005), Never Been Kissed (1999) and Altamont Now (2008). He also produced and starred in his first feature film, Junkie (2012), which was distributed by Gunpowder & Sky and Federgreen Entertainment/IndieCan Entertainment.
His TV credits include recurring roles on New York Undercover (Fox), Hand of God (Amazon), Rizzoli & Isles (TNT), American Crime (ABC) and The It Factor: Los Angeles (Bravo). He is also a writer and artist, whose paintings have been exhibited in New York, Los Angeles and Amsterdam.
How did he become Abby’s brother on NCIS?
Abby Sciuto is one of the most beloved characters on NCIS, who has been with the show since its inception in 2003. She is known for her gothic style, her passion for science and her loyalty to her team. She is also an adoptee, who grew up with loving parents but always wondered about her biological family.
In Season 9, Episode 4, titled “Enemy on the Hill”, Abby decides to donate a kidney to a stranger who needs a transplant. However, she discovers that the recipient is not a stranger at all, but her biological brother who she never knew existed.
In a shocking revelation, Abby finds out that this person is her biological brother Kyle Davis (Daniel Louis Rivas). He didn’t feature heavily in the CBS drama though, only appearing in two episodes: “Enemy on the Hill” and “Life Before His Eyes”.
But how did Rivas land the role of Abby’s brother? Well, it turns out that he is an old friend of Pauley Perrette and they used to date years ago. Perrette said that they look so much alike that everyone thought they were brother and sister when they were together.
Perrette also said that she had been campaigning for Rivas to play her brother ever since the show mentioned that Abby had one. She started a Twitter campaign to get him the role, stating that he has her same crazy eyes and that he is a great actor.
Her campaign worked, and Rivas was cast as Kyle Davis, much to Perrette’s delight. She said that it was a very emotional experience to work with him and to explore Abby’s backstory.
What happened to Abby and Kyle after NCIS?
Abby Sciuto left NCIS in Season 15, after being shot by a hitman hired by a former colleague. She survived the attack, but decided to leave the team and start a new life in London. She also donated all of her money to charity and asked her friends to honor her by doing random acts of kindness .
As for Kyle Davis, his fate is unknown. He was last seen in Season 9, when he visited Abby at NCIS headquarters and thanked her for saving his life. He also gave her a locket with a picture of their biological mother inside .
It is unclear if Abby and Kyle kept in touch after that, or if they ever met their biological father or other relatives. However, it is likely that they share a bond as siblings who found each other later in life.
Conclusion
Daniel Louis Rivas is not related to Pauley Perrette by blood, but he is related by friendship and by acting. He played her brother on NCIS thanks to Perrette’s efforts to get him the role. They have a lot in common, both as actors and as people. They are both talented, creative and passionate about their work.
