Anthony DiNozzo

Anthony D. "Tony" DiNozzo, Jr.[4] /dɪˈnoʊzoʊ/ is a fictional character from the CBS TV series NCIS portrayed by American actor Michael Weatherly.[5] An original cast character created by producer Donald P. Bellisario, he is credited in 306 episodes, but actually appearing in 305 of the series. He has also made guest appearances on the spin-offs NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans.

Tony DiNozzo, born in 1972 (as guessed correctly by Caitlin Todd in the season 1 episode Split Decision), is the senior field agent of the fictional Major Case Response Team (MCRT) led by Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a former Marine Gunnery sergeant. The team investigates major crimes involving military personnel, often dealing with local law enforcement officers (LEOs). A former police detective, he is characterized as an outgoing, joking, charismatic former jock and frequent lothario. His charisma helps him do undercover work and to deal with intra-agency conflicts. He often leads the team's crime scene investigations, where medical examiner Dr. Mallard (David McCallum) would put him through physical exertion for evidence retrieval. Over the course of the series, he carries a few storylines, including an undercover assignment that goes through seasons four and five to catch an international arms dealer. DiNozzo provided some comic relief for an otherwise serious drama, regularly spouting movie trivia, especially in the early seasons, and, as a womanizer, his dating provided many roguish experiences. The death of agent Caitlin Todd and DiNozzo's relationship with agent Ziva Davidbecomes fundamental to his subtle shift in attitude and the character's development.

The character drew mixed reactions from the audience. According to Bellisario, Tony was often criticized by the female audience at the beginning of the show's run for his male chauvinism.[6] This softened after Weatherly decided to tone down that aspect of his portrayal, and afterwards the character was better received.[6] Critics continued to be both amused and annoyed by his "charming goofball" persona.[7] By 2011, Weatherly was listed among the top-10 most-popular actors on primetime television, according to Q Score.[8][dead link]

In January 2016, Weatherly and CBS confirmed that season thirteen would be DiNozzo's last as a series regular.[9] In the show, DiNozzo leaves after learning that he has a daughter with his former partner Special Agent Ziva David, who apparently died in a mortar attack on her home in Israel.[10] DiNozzo leaves NCIS to "look for some answers" and to care for their daughter.

Michael Weatherly was cast for the role of Tony DiNozzo Jr. in 2003. Series creator Don Bellisario related the events that led to Weatherly being selected:

I liked him from the first moment I met him. I first met him in Australia, where he was doing The Natalie Wood Story, and he was playing R.J. and the agents called me, or the casting director called me, and said, "I would like you to meet Michael Weatherly." And I was on my last day down there, and I said, "Yeah, I'm going home tomorrow. You know, I'll meet him when he comes back to the States. I'm going out to dinner with my family tonight. I just don't have the time." I received a phone call from Michael, and Michael knows how to flatter you. He started off by saying, "Oh, I love Magnum, P.I...." And then he started telling me all the things he knew about Magnum. And I said, "Look, if you want to go to dinner with me and my wife and two of my boys, you're welcome." Well, that ended up to be a three-hour dinner. It might have gone longer. I liked him so much that I cast him in the show after that meeting.[11]

Letter sent containing Y. pestis that led to Tony's near-death experience in season two
headshot of a man with short hair
Michael Weatherly as Anthony DiNozzo filming in 2008