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NCIS says goodbye to a legendary leader in its 500th episode
Discover the emotional details behind a major character’s final salute after eighteen seasons
The long-running crime procedural NCIS reached a massive milestone with its 500th episode, but the celebration came with a heartbreaking twist. Fans had to say a final, emotional goodbye to Director Leon Vance, played by Rocky Carroll since season five. In a dramatic turn of events, Vance was killed during a tense shootout with a corrupt agent. The episode provided a poignant moment of closure as he was welcomed to the afterlife by the late, beloved Chief Medical Examiner, Donald "Ducky" Mallard.
Actor Rocky Carroll shared that he has known about this departure since last November, giving him time to process the end of an era. He described the finale as a "love letter" to the character, praising the writers for creating a meaningful tribute that summarized Vance’s 18-year journey. While the loss is significant for the team, Carroll believes it was a fitting and powerful way for the iconic director to make his exit.
