NCIS producer Susan Bluestein revealed that the casting of Michael Weatherly as Anthony DiNozzo almost didn't happen. Weatherly was filming in Australia when a twist of fate brought him and producer Don Bellisario together for dinner. Despite Weatherly initially being unavailable due to his role in another show, the encounter led to his eventual casting in NCIS. Ironically, Robert Wagner, whom Weatherly portrayed in the other show, later played his father on NCIS. Weatherly recently paid tribute to fellow NCIS actor David McCallum, who passed away at the age of 90.