Pauley Perrette has been a familiar face on TV screens since 2003, captivating viewers with her portrayal of goth-attired forensic scientist Abby Sciuto on “NCIS.” Interestingly, Perrette herself once had ambitions of fighting crime in real life. According to Biography, she earned a master’s degree in criminology before pursuing acting—a surprising twist of fate.
Before her breakthrough role on “NCIS,” Perrette explored various acting opportunities. She appeared in TV commercials for major brands like Volkswagen and Sprint. In 1996, she landed a recurring role on the legal drama “Murder One” under the name Pauley P.
This role opened doors to more television work, including a series regular role on the sitcom “That’s Life.” Perrette’s acting portfolio also includes film appearances in movies such as “Almost Famous” and “My First Mister.” She even starred in a series alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jennifer Garner in the “Party of Five” spinoff “Time of Your Life.” Little did she know, her iconic role on “NCIS” was just around the corner.
Pauley Perrette’s career is full of fascinating facets. For many years, she was one of TV’s most-liked female stars. Q Scores, a company that measures the popularity of celebrities, revealed that Perrette earned an impressive score of 43 points in their January/February 2010 Performer Q study, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Her popularity continued to soar, reaching a Q score of 44 by 2018, as reported by The Wrap. To put this into perspective, the average score for a female television star was just 21, with the next highest score being
36 points, held by Taraji P. Henson of “Empire.” Perrette’s high Q score was largely due to the success of “NCIS,” which was the world’s most-watched TV series for eight consecutive years. Ironically, her 2018 Q score was released after she announced her departure from the show, just days before her final episode aired.
In addition to her acting talents, Pauley Perrette has appeared in several music videos. One notable example is her role in the video for the song “Fear” by Oingo Boingo, where her captivating presence brings the lyrics to life.
Pauley Perrette’s journey from criminology student to beloved TV star is truly remarkable. Her incredible talent, combined with her down-to-earth personality, has endeared her to fans of all ages. As we bid farewell to Abby Sciuto, we celebrate the untold truth of Pauley Perrette and her significant impact on the entertainment industry.
