- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Newport Today
By the People, for the People
NCIS Kills Off Major Character After 18 Years
Rocky Carroll reflects on leaving the show as Director Leon Vance in the 500th episode
Mar. 25, 2026 at 2:56am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
NCIS said goodbye to longtime character Director Leon Vance, played by actor Rocky Carroll, in the show's 500th episode. Vance was killed in a shooting with a corrupt agent, and Carroll has had time to process his departure from the show after 18 years. The actor discusses his initial reaction to the character being killed off rather than written off, as well as the producers' decision to give Vance a big sendoff for the milestone episode.
Why it matters
Vance has been a central figure on NCIS since his introduction in season 5, so his death marks a significant change for the long-running crime procedural. The decision to kill off the character, rather than have him leave the show in another way, reflects the producers' desire to create a memorable and impactful moment for the 500th episode milestone.
The details
During the 500th episode, Vance was killed in a shooting with a corrupt agent and welcomed to heaven by late Chief Medical Examiner Donald "Ducky" Mallard. Actor Rocky Carroll, who has played Vance since 2008, initially questioned why the character had to be killed off instead of written off another way. However, the producers explained they wanted a big moment for the 500th episode to remind viewers why NCIS is one of the most watched shows in the world. Carroll ultimately came to appreciate the creative decision, calling it a "terrific storyline" that provided a great sendoff for the character.
- The final scene where Vance realizes he's talking to the "angel of death" was shot on Dec. 11.
- Carroll has known about Vance's death since November, when he was first told what was going to happen.
The players
Rocky Carroll
The actor who has played Director Leon Vance on NCIS since 2008.
Steven D. Binder
The executive producer of NCIS who wrote the episode that featured Vance's death.
Donald "Ducky" Mallard
The late Chief Medical Examiner on NCIS, who welcomed Vance to heaven in the 500th episode.
What they’re saying
“I've been able to wrap my mind around it and come to terms with it because I've known about this since November, when I was first told about what was going to happen.”
— Rocky Carroll
“It's a terrific storyline. And you know, actors love dying on camera anyway.”
— Rocky Carroll
The takeaway
The death of Director Leon Vance, a central character on NCIS for 18 years, marks a significant change for the long-running crime procedural. The decision to kill off the character, rather than have him leave the show in another way, reflects the producers' desire to create a memorable and impactful moment for the 500th episode milestone.
