The casting of Michael Weatherly as Anthony DiNozzo on NCIS almost didn't happen due to his prior commitment to a show in Australia. However, fate intervened when producer Don Bellisario also had plans to travel to Australia and met with Weatherly for dinner. The producer later realized the irony when actor Robert Wagner, who Weatherly played in Australia, ended up portraying his father on NCIS. Weatherly recently paid tribute to co-star David McCallum, who passed away, calling him a "funny fantastic authentic man."