Pauley Perrette, best known for her role as Abby Sciuto on NCIS, has made it clear that she has no intention of returning to acting. In a recent interview with Hello! on October 1, the 55-year-old former actress explained her decision, stating that she seeks to live a life of true authenticity and wishes to fully embrace both the joys and challenges of life.
Perrette expressed gratitude for the opportunities acting provided her but emphasized that her perspective has shifted. “I’m not ungrateful for the benefits that it gave to me,” she said. “But I’m a different person now, and I want to be here for it – the good and the bad and the painful.” She noted that acknowledging this desire took courage, but it reflects her genuine feelings about her life choices.
Her career began in the 1990s with roles in shows like Early Edition, Murder One, and Frasier, but she gained widespread fame through her portrayal of forensic scientist Abby Sciuto on NCIS, a role she held for 15 seasons from 2003 to 2018. Perrette left the show amid allegations of “multiple physical assaults” that she claimed occurred during her tenure. CBS confirmed that she had raised workplace concerns and acknowledged her significant contribution to the series.
In the years since her departure, Perrette has focused on her health and well-being, particularly after suffering a massive stroke in 2021. She has shifted her career path towards production, currently working on projects like the 2023 documentary Studio One Forever, which examines the LGBTQ+ history of the now-closed disco club Studio One.
Reflecting on her past as an actress, Perrette described acting as an escape that allowed her to avoid her own issues. “Being an actor, especially at certain points in my life, was a great escape,” she explained. “It’s like a drug because I didn’t have to be me; I could be somebody else. My character didn’t have all of the problems that I was having.”
Now, she prefers to immerse herself in authentic experiences, stating, “At this point in my life, I have this deep need to find authenticity in everything.” Perrette’s focus on truth is evident in her viewing habits as well; she mentioned that she only watches documentaries because they represent reality.
Ultimately, Perrette believes returning to acting would detract from her pursuit of authenticity. “Going back to being an actor would be taking away from this life of true authenticity that I’m living 100% of the time,” she said. This commitment to living genuinely marks a significant shift in her life, reflecting her growth and newfound priorities.
