Pauley Perrette, born on March 27, 1969, in New Orleans, Louisiana, rose to fame for her role as Abby Sciuto on *NCIS*, a position she held from 2003 until her departure in 2019. Raised in the Southern U.S., she studied criminal justice at Valdosta State University and later at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. Despite her academic background, Perrette’s career spanned acting, music, voice work, and civil rights activism.
She married Canadian actor and singer Coyote Shivers in 2000, though they divorced in 2006 amid allegations of domestic abuse. Perrette’s work includes television, film, commercials, and music videos. Her portrayal of the quirky forensic scientist Abby earned her widespread recognition, and she also made appearances on *NCIS: Los Angeles* and *NCIS: New Orleans*.
In addition to acting, Perrette is a poet, photographer, and spoken word artist. She has also been involved in activism, particularly in support of civil rights. She released the song “Fear” for the *NCIS* soundtrack and continues to be active in various creative fields.
Perrette faced personal challenges, including a violent assault in 2015 and issues on the *NCIS* set, which led to her decision to leave the show in 2019. She starred in the CBS sitcom *Broke* in 2020. Later that year, Perrette announced her retirement from acting, citing her gratitude for life’s experiences and the support of loved ones.