Rocky Carroll
One of Hollywood’s best-kept secrets, Rocky Carroll is a critically acclaimed actor who has consistently proven his ability to master diverse roles in film, television, and theatre.
Since 2008, Carroll has starred as ‘Leon Vance’ on the #1 primetime hit series, “NCIS.” As the Director of NCIS, Carroll’s character oversaw not just the mothership team, but the “NCIS: LA” and “NCIS: New Orleans,” teams as well. As a result, Carroll has appeared on all three shows, making him the first actor to reprise his role across three hit primetime series. His character, though not shown on-screen, is also mentioned in “NCIS: Hawaii” and “NCIS: Sydney.” 2015 saw Carroll make his television directorial debut on the show where he continues to direct three to four episodes a season.
On April 15th, NCIS will celebrate the airing of its 1000th episode in the NCIS Universe. This massive achievement is accompanied by Entertainment Tonight’s hour-long special titled NCISVerse: The First 1,000, which features never-before-seen interviews, clips with the stars, and a special preview of the newest additions to the NCIS Universe. Currently in its 21st season, “NCIS” airs Monday nights on CBS at 9pm/8c.
Along with starring in and directing “NCIS,” Carroll hosted and narrated CBS’ “NCIS: The Cases They Can’t Forget”. The series gave viewers unprecedented access to the dramatic and shocking cases handled by the real-life U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service. NCIS agents investigate murders and track killers using the latest technology to solve cases that once seemed unsolvable.
Outside of NCIS, Rocky last appeared in the critically acclaimed HBO film THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS starring opposite Oprah Winfrey as her brother Sonny Lacks. The biopic adapted from the book of the same name about an African American woman that became an unwitting pioneer for medical breakthroughs when her cells were used to create the first immortal human cell line in the early 1950’s.
The Tony-nominated Carroll also found time to return to his first love: the stage. On April 15th, 2023, he starred in August Wilson’s one-man show, in a one-time performance of “How I Learned What I Learned” at the Latino Theater Company in Downtown Los Angeles. He also starred in the riveting political drama “Fraternity” for the Ebony Rep Theatre Company, at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Culver City. The production co-starred such actors as Robert Gossett (“Major Crimes”), Tony-winner Robert Robinson, and Drama Desk-winner Harvey Blanks. In the summer of 2005, Carroll starred in a national tour of the late August Wilson’s last original play, “Radio Golf.” He was nominated for a Tony Award for his 1990 Broadway performance in August Wilson’s 15th, “The Piano Lesson.” For this East Coast-trained theater actor, the idea of Los Angeles and the world of film and television was a new and rather daunting prospect early in his career; in fact, he very likely might have remained in New York was he not offered the part of ‘Joey,’ the gambling, womanizing, ne’er-do-well musician on what became the highly successful FOX-TV series “Roc,” in Los Angeles in 1991.
On television, Carroll has called CBS his home for many years—masterfully transitioning from drama to comedy. His series credits include “The Agency,” “Welcome to New York,” “Chicago Hope” opposite Christine Baranski, of which TV GUIDE proclaimed: “Carroll is a stitch as the station’s cocky prima donna!” The show allowed him to showcase the comedic talents he displayed on the hit FOX series “Roc,’” one of his best-known roles. He also had a recurring role on “The Game.”
Following his run on “Roc,” Michael Crichton personally pursued Carroll for a new medical drama called “ER,” but he turned down the offer to concentrate on feature films. During that time, he drew raves as ‘Lieutenant Westerguard’ in the blockbuster CRIMSON TIDE and appeared in THE GREAT WHITE HYPE with Samuel L Jackson. Additionally, Carroll has had roles in BEST LAID PLANS, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, PRELUDE TO A KISS, TALK RADIO, and THE CHASE. Carroll has also appeared in such films as Jim Carrey’s YES MAN, the horror/thriller PRISONER opposite Julian McMahon, and opposite Tim Meadows in THE LADIES MAN, based on the “SNL” character of the same name.
For Carroll, acting was never just a hobby or a career; he describes it as “a calling; a passion. A lot of people make the mistake of slipping into it to see if something happens. But overnight success takes years of hard work, luck, and God-given talent,” he asserts. It is exactly that combination that allows Rocky Carroll to bring life to characters that fans can love, hate, and most importantly, cherish.
When not doing his patriotic duty on the set of “NCIS,” Carroll is a sports nut and loves attending NFL and NCAA basketball games when he can. He is also an avid golfer and poker player.