Michael Weatherly and Robert Wagner are two actors who have shared a remarkable connection on the hit CBS show NCIS. Weatherly played Special Agent Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo, a charismatic and witty investigator, while Wagner portrayed his father, Anthony DiNozzo Sr., a charming and wealthy con artist. The two actors had a striking resemblance and chemistry that made their father-son relationship believable and entertaining. But are they related in real life? Here is the surprising truth behind their on-screen and off-screen bond.
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How Michael Weatherly Became Robert Wagner’s On-Screen Son
Michael Weatherly joined the cast of NCIS in 2003 as one of the main characters. He quickly became a fan favorite with his humorous and flirtatious personality. He also had a great rapport with his fellow NCIS colleagues, especially his boss Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and his love interest Ziva David (Cote de Pablo).
However, it was not until Season 7 that viewers got to meet DiNozzo’s father, who was introduced as a mysterious and elusive figure in his son’s life. According to Parade, Weatherly was the one who suggested Robert Wagner for the role of DiNozzo Sr. He had previously portrayed Wagner in a TV film about the life and death of Natalie Wood, Wagner’s first wife. Weatherly was a big fan of Wagner and was thrilled when he agreed to join the show.
Wagner made his first appearance on NCIS in January 2010, in an episode titled “Flesh and Blood”. He instantly impressed the fans and the producers with his charismatic and humorous performance. He also had a remarkable resemblance and chemistry with Weatherly, making their father-son dynamic realistic and compelling. Wagner fit NCIS like a glove, and he was invited back for several more episodes over the years.
How Michael Weatherly and Robert Wagner Became Friends Off-Screen
Michael Weatherly and Robert Wagner did not only share a screen time on NCIS, but they also developed a friendship off-screen. Weatherly often turned to Wagner for wisdom and advice, both professionally and personally. He also expressed his admiration and respect for Wagner, who had a long and successful career in Hollywood.
In an interview with Elle Magazine, Weatherly said that Wagner was “a legend” and “a mentor” to him. He also said that he learned a lot from him about acting, television, and life. He added that Wagner was “one of the most generous people” he had ever met.
Wagner also praised Weatherly for his talent and personality. He said that he enjoyed working with him and that they had a lot of fun together. He also said that he felt like he was his real son. In an interview with The Talk, Wagner said that he loved Weatherly “like my own”.
Why Michael Weatherly and Robert Wagner Left NCIS
After 13 seasons on NCIS, Michael Weatherly decided to leave the show in 2016. He said that he wanted to pursue other opportunities and challenges as an actor. He also said that he felt like his character had reached a natural conclusion after finding out that he had a daughter with Ziva, who was presumed dead.
Weatherly’s departure was emotional for both him and his fans. He said goodbye to his character in an episode titled “Family First”, where he decided to leave NCIS to take care of his daughter. He also had a heartfelt farewell with Gibbs, who gave him his blessing.
Weatherly’s exit also affected Robert Wagner’s role on NCIS. Without his on-screen son, Wagner had less reason to appear on the show. However, he still made some guest appearances after Weatherly’s departure, mainly to help out Gibbs and the team with some cases. He also served as a surrogate for the fans who missed Weatherly.
Wagner’s last appearance on NCIS was in 2019, in an episode titled “The Arizona”. He helped Gibbs reconnect with an old friend who was a survivor of Pearl Harbor. Since then, Wagner has not returned to the show, mainly due to health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
Are Michael Weatherly and Robert Wagner Still Friends?
Even though they are no longer on NCIS together, Michael Weatherly and Robert Wagner have maintained their friendship over the years. They still keep in touch and support each other’s projects.
In 2016, Weatherly starred in a new CBS show called Bull, where he played Dr. Jason Bull, a brilliant trial consultant. Wagner congratulated him on his new role and said that he was proud of him. He also said that he would love to guest star on Bull someday.
In 2021, Weatherly paid tribute to Wagner on Twitter by sharing a photo of them together on NCIS. He captioned it with “Happy Birthday RJ! Love you like my own.” The tweet received thousands of likes and comments from fans who expressed their love and appreciation for both actors.
Michael Weatherly and Robert Wagner are not related by blood, but they have a bond that goes beyond their on-screen and off-screen roles. They are friends, colleagues, and mentors to each other. They have shared a remarkable connection on NCIS and beyond, and they have inspired many fans with their on-screen and off-screen bond.
