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Michael Weatherly became widely known for his role as Tony DiNozzo onNCIS. His success on the show lasted for 13 seasons, making him one of television’s most beloved stars. After leaving the crime drama, he quickly moved on to his next big project,Bull, where he played Dr. Jason Bull. The show was another hit for Weatherly, and it seemed like his career was on a smooth trajectory.
However, his time onBullwould eventually take an unexpected turn. When actress Eliza Dushku was brought on to play a lawyer alongside him. Shortly after the actress joined the show, things began to unravel. Behind the scenes, she faced uncomfortable situations involving Weatherly’s behavior, which would later lead to serious allegations of harassment.
What happened after Eliza Dushku confronted Michael Weatherly?
Michael Weatherly’s career took off with his portrayal of Anthony DiNozzo onNCIS, a role that cemented him as a household name. But before his big break, his journey to fame was far from glamorous as he juggledvarious odd jobsto make ends meet.
After 13 seasons onNCIS, Weatherly said goodbye to the character that had defined his career and moved on to headline the legal drama,Bull. As the charismatic Dr. Jason Bull, he seemed to have found another role that showcased his ability to combine intellect and humor. However, it was during the production ofBullthat troubling allegations emerged from his co-star, Eliza Dushku.
In a past interview, Dushku opened up about her experience working alongside Weatherly on the set ofBull.According to Dushku, Weatherly’s on-set behavior included inappropriate comments and actions that left her feeling humiliated and unsafe. She added viaThe Boston Globe:
Weatherly harassed me from early on. The tapes show his offer to take me to his “r*pe van, filled with all sorts of lubricants and long phallic things.” There was also his constant name-calling; playing provocative songs (like “Barracuda”) on his iPhone.
She continued:
He made the threesome remark to me about himself and me in a room full of people. Minutes later, a crew member sidled up next to me and, with a smirk, said in a low voice, “I’m with Bull. I wanna have a threesome with you too.”
Dushku was initially introduced to the cast ofBullduring its first season, playing a lawyer alongside Weatherly. According to reports, there were substantial plans to make her a permanent cast member. However, those plans came to an unexpected halt shortly after she confronted Weatherly about behavior,she found inappropriateand unprofessional.
After leaving the show, Eliza Dushku went into mediation with CBS to address her complaints. As part of their defense, CBS shared outtakes fromBull, hoping it would help their case.
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CBS later conducted an investigation, which found that how Dushku was treated and the way the situation was handled pointed to bigger cultural problems within the company. To resolve the issue,CBS agreed to pay Dushku $9.5 million– the amount she would have earned if she had stayed on the show as a regular cast member.
How Michael Weatherly found inspiration for Tony DiNozzo
Michael Weatherly’s charm and sense of humor were key ingredients in making Tony DiNozzo such a memorable character. He brought a balance of wit and vulnerability to the role, capturing the essence of a character who could be both a playful joker and a loyal team member. In reflecting on his early life, Weatherly shared on his official website viaHello Magazine:
I was the middle child, so I was a natural peacemaker and clown. I was a bad student, a dreamer, and a procrastinator.
These personal traits translated perfectly into the mischievous yet lovable agent DiNozzo, who was known for his pranks and sharp one-liners. However, Weatherly didn’t just rely on his own personality to bring Tony DiNozzo to life. He drew inspiration from his previous experience working on the TV showDark Angel,where he starred alongside actor Jensen Ackles.
Ackles’ relaxed, free-spirited style left a lasting impression on Weatherly, who admitted:
He was so loose and free and I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll imitate him a little bit’ and I’m such a bad mimic it doesn’t matter because no one will ever recognise that I’m doing Jensen Ackles.
The freedom Ackles brought to his role inspired Weatherly to bring a similar energy to DiNozzo, which helped make his character feel spontaneous and unpredictable.
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In addition to his co-stars, Weatherly found inspiration from the greats of classic Hollywood. He spent time watching films from the golden era of cinema, particularly looking to icons like Cary Grant for guidance. This allowed Weatherly to take Tony DiNozzo in a direction that was fresh and blended with modern humor,
You can watch all the seasons ofBullon Prime Video and Paramount+.
Sakshi Singh
Articles Published :1434
Sakshi Singh has written over 1,300 entertainment articles, mostly about Netflix shows and reality TV. She’s spent the last two years covering everything from surprise engagements to shocking eliminations and previously wrote for Essentially Sports in their Netflix Junkie division. A self-proclaimed reality TV addict, Sakshi has watched all 48 seasons of Survivor and never misses a new dating or competition series. She loves watching how strangers meet, fall in love, team up, or betray each other - it’s the mix of strategy and drama that keeps her hooked. When she’s not glued to a reality show, she’s usually watching a crime thriller or tracking the next big streaming hit.
