TV

Jeffrey Dean Morgan Had Not One but Two Roles in NCIS’ Predecessor JAG

Jeffrey Dean Morgan Had Not One but Two Roles in NCIS’ Predecessor JAG
Image credit: Legion-Media, NBC, CBS

Jeffrey Dean Morgan starred in an old-school legal drama before he became a household name.

If you're a big fan of TV shows, no matter what kind you like, you have to be familiar with Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Some of you might remember him as Denny Duquette from Grey's Anatomy, others as John Winchester from Supernatural, and of course, he's Negan in The Walking Dead.

But did you know that one of his first TV roles was in JAG, the original legal drama TV series that later spawned the hit series NCIS?

Before NCIS became the phenomenon it is today, JAG was the show that had our undivided attention. JAG, which stands for Judge Advocate General, graced our screens in the mid-90s and took us into the thrilling world of military law.

And yes, Jeffrey Dean Morgan was part of this beloved series not once but twice. It’s a time in his career that doesn’t get as much spotlight as his later, more prominent roles, but it’s definitely worth reminiscing about.

Morgan first appeared in a 1995 episode titled Shadow during the very first season. He played a Weapons Officer who sadly didn’t have a name. Yep, that's how small this role was. Although it was a one-time appearance, it’s still cool to see a future star in such a tiny part.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan Had Not One but Two Roles in NCIS’ Predecessor JAG - image 1

Next time Morgan appeared in JAG was in season 7 — in two episodes. His character even had a name this time. He portrayed a CIA Technician named Wally in episodes 22 and 24.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan Had Not One but Two Roles in NCIS’ Predecessor JAG - image 2

Even though Morgan’s roles in JAG weren’t the lead ones, they gave us an early glimpse of his talents. It’s always fun to look back and see how far actors have come, from small roles in series like JAG to becoming household names with iconic roles under their belts.

These small roles are actually a good reminder that some actors had to come a long way to achieve success in the industry. So, if you are a fan of both Jeffrey Dean Morgan and NCIS, but haven’t watched the original show, that’s quite a good reason to give JAG a try.