As one of the longest-running pieces of NCIS‘ puzzle, Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) quickly became a fan favorite during his time on the show, in part because of his sarcastic sense of humor and consistently quotable moments. One of the original cast members of the series, Tony’s time on NCIS spanned from the show’s first season until its thirteenth, and with Weatherly returning to the series in the upcoming NCIS season 24, the character is set to come back to the MCRT next season. Tony’s shifted and grown through the years, but his personality has remained at its core.
Starting out as a young agent who was looking to make his mark on the team, Tony’s growth throughout his time on NCIS was substantial. Eventually becoming the most senior agent on the team aside from Gibbs, Tony’s relationships with his fellow agents, especially Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) became a huge focus of NCIS through the years. Having most recently appeared on the short-lived Paramount+ series NCIS: Tony & Ziva, Tony’s character has gone through tragedy and kept his wits about him no matter the circumstances. His always hilarious one-liners and quips are some of the show’s best moments.
10
“My name is Anthony. Friends call me Tony, which backwards is ‘y not’.”
Season 3, Episode 19
Often the most cavalier member of the MCRT, Tony’s constantly cracking jokes and making quips. While much of time, Tony’s incessant talking is irritating to those around him, it also serves a larger purpose. Tony’s usually quick to be witty in order to disarm the people he’s talking to, especially in moments where he’s dealing with a suspect or witness who isn’t interested in talking to him. Charming the people he needs information from, even if it makes him look slightly less intelligent, works well. Introducing himself to someone during NCIS season 3, Tony exemplified his light sense of humor.
9
“I’m the wild card. I’m the guy who looks at the reality in front of him and refuses to accept it. Like right now I should be terrified, right? But I’m not.”
Season 7, Episode1
One of the most interesting parts of Tony’s personality comes from the fact that he’s rarely scared, especially in earlier seasons of NCIS. While there’s a bit more deep emotion to Tony as he grows up, and especially once he becomes a father, the early days of NCIS make it clear that Tony doesn’t care if he has to walk into the line of fire. In a season 7 episode of NCIS, Tony explains that as the wild card of the team, he doesn’t feel fearful in the way people expect. His bravery, in fact, makes him far more dangerous.
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“When the going gets tough, the tough go clubbing.”
Season 3, Episode 10
During his early days on NCIS, Tony’s life outside of the MCRT was always somewhat mystifying, especially to the rest of the team. A true ladies man, Tony was always talking about dates and different women, and the fact that he seemed to have time to go out was surprising to the rest of the team. While Tony had already lived a life prior to his time with NCIS, even nearly getting married, he was quick to adapt to a new lifestyle when he began working with the MCRT. Sharing his early views on clubbing, Tony’s eventual maturation was slow-rolling.
7
“I just finished the Twilight saga – I’ve been suggesting it to her. It’s very romantic. I just finished book four if you want to borrow it – team Edward.”
Season 7, Episode 13
One of the funniest parts of Tony’s personality was the way he caught on to pop culture, especially on such a serious show. NCIS may deal with heavy crime and dangerous cases, but Tony was always able to bring levity into the situation. In an episode of NCIS season 7, he used Twilight as a way to break into a conversation, but made it clear that he wasn’t bluffing surrounding his knowledge of the story. While Tony may not have actually been aware of Twilight, he weas able to use pop culture as a way to break into a conversation.
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“I’m just saying, if Vance is waiting for Robin Williams in drag to come floating in on some magic umbrella singing “Do Re Mi” he’s gonna be waiting a long time.”
Season 10, Episode 18
Although Tony was always good for a pop culture reference, he was a massive movie buff at his core. As a true cinephile, Tony made it clear that he watched a lot of movies and retained them throughout his time on the show, making it the rest of the MCRT’s problem. Bringing movie references into nearly every conversation, NCIS season 10 saw Tony with an all-timer when he mixed a few different movies to create an analogy. Just one of likely hundreds of times on screen that Tony finds himself referencing films, the NCIS agent’s movie knowledge was always incredible.
5
“Just remember, I’ve got mouths to feed. Two goldfish. I’m their only source of income and they’re awfully cute.”
Season 11, Episode 9
Even in the most dangerous situations, Tony stuck to who he was at his core, making jokes and sharing more about his personality no matter who he was talking to. During an episode of NCIS season 11, Tony made a joke about why he needed to stay alive, poking fun at the fact that he was a perpetual bachelor with no real responsibilities outside of his work and his home life…except, that is, for his goldfish. Quick to be self-deprecating throughout his time on NCIS, Tony was always clear that he knew where he stood in comparison to others.
4
“You don’t know how to say ‘porcupine’, but you remember the diner from Pulp Fiction?”
Season 3, Episode 17
One of Tony’s most important dynamics during his time on NCIS and in its aftermath became is relationship with Ziva. While Tony and Ziva were skeptical of each other at first, their chemistry was palpable and their ability to work together became a huge asset as Ziva moved into a permanent role on the team. While Tony and Ziva’s relationship always blurred the line between friendly and romantic, their love language was wrapped in barbs and insults, including Tony’s consistent teasing about Ziva’s lack of pop culture knowledge. When she did upstage him in movies or culture, Tony was shocked.
3
“Ziva’s not replaceable…if I could drag her back, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
Season 7, Episode 1
The more heartfelt side of Tony and Ziva’s relationship, outside of the barbs and jokes at each other’s expense, showed something far deeper for the NCIS pair. As their relationship grew and deepened, Tony’s affection for Ziva was something he didn’t fully comprehend at first. When it came to a point where their lives were at stake, however, Tony made it clear that he wasn’t interested in working without Ziva, or living without her. Tony’s depth of emotion for Ziva unlocked a whole new side of his personality, one that made him a more caring, gentle, and overall heartfelt person.
2
“You know, one of these days, I’d like to actually meet someone who appreciates movies the way I do. Or at least appreciates the way I appreciate them.”
Season 7, Episode 11
Tony’s love of movies was always something that he made public about himself, but when he began to soften as a person and felt like he wanted more of a loving, permanent relationship in his life, it was his love of films that helped him relay that change of heart to others. Making it clear that he genuinely wanted a relationship where he felt a sense of companionship and shared interest, Tony opening up about wanting someone to appreciate his interests, or the way he appreciates his interests, marked a change of heart for the longtime bachelor of the MCRT.
1
“He’s standing right behind me, isn’t he?”
Recurring
Although Tony and Gibbs (Mark Harmon) could butt heads at time because of his consistent babbling, they shared a loving relationship that made for some hilarious moments, as well as some heartfelt ones. Throughout Tony’s time on NCIS, there was a running bit where Tony would be talking to someone at his desk, only for Gibbs to show up behind him at a completely inopportune moment. Tony’s refrain of, “he’s standing right behind me, isn’t he?” became a running joke on NCIS. While Tony was never actually fearful of Gibbs, the bit between the two NCIS characters was always great.
- Release Date
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September 23, 2003
- Showrunner
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Donald P. Bellisario
- Directors
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Dennis Smith, Terrence O’Hara, Tony Wharmby, James Whitmore Jr., Thomas J. Wright, Michael Zinberg, Arvin Brown, Rocky Carroll, Diana Valentine, Leslie Libman, Tawnia McKiernan, Colin Bucksey, William Webb, Bethany Rooney, Alrick Riley, Jeff Woolnough, Alan J. Levi, Lionel Coleman, Martha Mitchell, Peter Ellis, Michael Weatherly, Edward Ornelas, Stephen Cragg, Tom Wright
- Writers
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George Schenck, Frank Cardea, Jesse Stern, John C. Kelley, Jennifer Corbett, Christopher Silber, Reed Steiner, Nicole Mirante-Matthews, Jack Bernstein, Scott J. Jarrett, Matthew R. Jarrett, Kimberly-Rose Wolter, Don McGill, Gil Grant, Frank Military, Nell Scovell, Steven Kriozere, Brian Dietzen, Kate Torgovnick May, Jeff Vlaming, Sydney Mitchel, Katie White, Richard C. Arthur, Laurence Walsh
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Sean Murray
Timothy McGee
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David McCallum
Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard