Television and film actress Pauley Perrette is best known for her beloved role as forensic scientist Abby Sciuto on the long-running CBS drama NCIS. After 15 seasons with the successful series, Perrette stepped away from acting in 2018. Since retiring, she has prioritized embracing an authentic lifestyle outside of the spotlight.
Perrette spent nearly two decades in the role of Abby, which ended amid controversy about her relationship with a co-star. She previously hinted at feeling unsafe on set. While the full details remain private, Perrette is focused on her next chapter.
In a recent interview, Perrette opened up about her past challenges with acting and what led to her decision to retire. “At times earlier in my career, acting provided an escape from problems in my real life,” she said. Now at age 55, Perrette wants to confront both good and bad experiences as her genuine self instead of through a character.
Although she briefly returned to television in 2020’s Broke, Perrette announced shortly after that she was officially retiring from acting. She has emphasized this retirement began in 2018 following NCIS. Perrette reflected that going back to acting now would take away from her current path prioritizing authenticity.
Since retiring, Perrette has shifted her work to documentary films focusing on truth and real stories. She produced Studio One Forever, chronicling a historic gay club in Los Angeles. Perrette stated she prefers documentaries because “I want the truth.”
Perrette’s journey to authenticity has not come without difficulties, including suffering a major stroke in 2021. However, she describes herself as “still a survivor,” committed to facing life’s challenges while living fully as herself outside of acting.
