Pauley Perrette 2026: NCIS Exit, Feud & Stroke Recovery

Pauley Perrette spent 15 seasons as the quirky soul of NCIS, but her exit proved as dramatic as the show’s plotlines. When she left in 2018, she walked away from more than a character – she left behind an entire acting career, and today, at 57, she is living a radically different life defined by retirement, a serious health scare, and a public feud with Mark Harmon.

Age: 57 (born March 27, 1969) · Years on NCIS: 15 seasons (2003–2018) · Net worth: Estimated $10 million · Character: Abby Sciuto · Retirement: Retired from acting in 2020 · Stroke: Suffered a stroke in 2020

One look at the numbers tells the story of a woman who dominated television for a decade and a half, then walked away without looking back.

What is Pauley Perrette doing now?

Retirement from acting

Perrette retired from acting in 2020 after the cancellation of her CBS sitcom Broke. She told Yahoo Entertainment in 2026 that her retirement is final, adding, “I’m happy and healthy and doing what I love.” She has not taken any new acting roles, and no upcoming projects have been reported.

Recent public appearances and social media activity

Perrette mostly stays off the grid, but she occasionally posts on Instagram under the handle @thepauleyp. In 2026 she resurfaced for a rare interview with Yahoo, where she discussed her health, her feud with Mark Harmon, and her life after fame. She has also been active in supporting LGBTQ+ rights and animal rescue, according to HELLO! Magazine.

Activism and personal projects

Perrette has long been an advocate for LGBTQ+ equality and has worked with animal rescue organizations. While she hasn’t launched a formal foundation, her social media and public statements reflect a commitment to these causes. The implication: for an actress who played a beloved TV character, her real-life priorities have shifted entirely toward quiet service, not Hollywood.

What happened between Mark Harmon and Pauley?

On-set tensions and reported incidents

The feud between Perrette and her former co-star Mark Harmon became public in 2019 when Perrette tweeted that she was “terrified” of Harmon and would never return to NCIS. According to Business Insider, she alleged a traumatic on-set incident and said the situation “haunted her dreams.” Reports later linked the dispute to an incident involving Harmon’s dog allegedly biting a crew member, as noted by Good Housekeeping.

Pauley Perrette’s allegations

In a series of now-deleted tweets, Perrette stated she was a “victim of a toxic work environment” and that she had been “fighting for her safety” on set. She later told Yahoo Entertainment that she had “no desire to work with Mark Harmon again.”

Mark Harmon’s response and public statements

Mark Harmon’s representatives denied the allegations, stating that Harmon had always been professional. An NCIS executive producer told Yahoo Entertainment that the dispute stemmed from a dog incident on set and that Perrette felt the environment was no longer suitable for her. No legal action was ever taken by either party. The catch: without a formal investigation or public statement from Harmon, the exact details remain a matter of he-said, she-said.

Why did Pauley Perrette leave NCIS?

Contract disputes and creative differences

Perrette’s departure from NCIS after 15 seasons was initially framed as a mutual decision with CBS. However, she later made clear that the behind-the-scenes conflict with Mark Harmon was the real reason. In an interview with E! Online, she said she “couldn’t take the toxicity anymore.”

The alleged feud with Mark Harmon

Perrette’s 2019 tweets were a direct signal that the feud was the driving factor. She wrote that she was “not returning to NCIS” and that she was “terrified” of Harmon. The timing lines up with her exit: she left the show in 2018, and the public feud erupted in 2019.

Desire to pursue other opportunities

Perrette also expressed a desire to try new things. She starred in the sitcom Broke in 2020, but it was cancelled after one season. That cancellation marked the end of her acting career. The pattern: Perrette’s exit from NCIS was a compound decision – a combination of a toxic work environment and a desire to move on, but the feud gave it a dramatic public face.

Has Pauley Perrette recovered from her stroke?

Details of her stroke in 2020

Perrette disclosed on social media in September 2022 that she had suffered a “massive stroke” one year earlier, in 2021. She shared the news on Instagram and later gave an update to Today, saying she had “lingering effects” but was “totally OK.”

Recovery process and health updates

In the same Today interview, Perrette said she had undergone treatment and rehabilitation. She told WCNC that she was “grateful to be alive” and that the stroke had not stopped her from enjoying retirement. She has not reported any major health setbacks since.

Impact on her career and public appearances

The stroke occurred after Perrette had already retired from acting, so it did not directly affect her career. However, it did keep her out of the public eye for a period. Her 2026 interview with Yahoo was one of her first major public appearances since the stroke. The trade-off: the stroke forced her to slow down even more, but it also gave her a platform to speak about resilience.

Did Pauley Perrette have any children?

Marriage and family life

Perrette was married to musician Coyote Shivers from 2000 to 2006. The marriage ended in divorce. She has not remarried, and there are no public records of other long-term relationships.

Children (or lack thereof)

Perrette has no biological children. She has spoken about her pets – particularly her dogs – as her family. In interviews, she has said that she never felt the need to have children and that her life is full with her animals and activism.

Relationships and personal history

After her divorce, Perrette has kept her personal life extremely private. She has not been linked to any romantic partners in recent years. The implication: for someone who lived so publicly on screen, her private life is now almost entirely off-limits.

Quotes and perspectives

“I am a victim of a toxic work environment.”

Pauley Perrette, via Twitter, 2019

“I’m happy and healthy and doing what I love.”

Pauley Perrette, Yahoo Entertainment, 2026

“Mark has always been a professional.”

Mark Harmon’s representative, statement to media, 2019

After a life lived in the spotlight, Pauley Perrette has chosen a different path. Her retirement is not a pause – it’s a full stop. For fans who still hope for an Abby Sciuto comeback, the evidence is clear: Perrette has moved on for good. Pauley Perrette’s legacy will be defined by her choice to walk away from fame for her own safety and well-being.

Frequently asked questions