Pauley Perrette is looking forward to more “authenticity” in her life as she moves on from acting.
In an interview with Hello! on Tuesday, Oct. 1, the 55-year-old actress expressed that she is “not ungrateful for the benefits that [acting] gave to me” but that she is ready to move on. In 2020, the NCIS alum announced that she would officially retire from acting after spending over two decades in television. And four years later, she is still standing firm on her choice.
“I’m a different person now, and I want to be here for it – the good and the bad and the painful, ” Perrette continued in the interview. “I want to be me all the time, and it takes a good amount of courage for me to say that to myself but it’s authentically how I feel.”
How Much Did Perrette Make on NCIS?
Perrette starred in NCIS from 2003 until 2018, becoming one of its most recognizable faces. Although her salary for the long-running series fluctuated over the years, she eventually peaked at $200,000 per episode. At her highest earning point, this translated to approximately $8.5 million per year.
What Is Perrette’s Net Worth?
As of 2024, Perrette’s net worth is estimated to be around $25 million.
What Else Is Perrette Working On?
After recovering from a massive stroke in 2021, Perrette is now focused on her work behind the camera as a producer on projects, including the 2023 documentary Studio One Forever, which explores the LGBTQ+ history of the now-shuttered disco club Studio One.
“At this point in my life, I have this deep need to find authenticity in everything, and being an actor—especially at certain points in my life—was a great escape,” she told the outlet “It’s like a drug because I didn’t have to be me; I could be somebody else. My character didn’t have all of the problems that I was having.”
“It’s why I only watch documentaries; I want the truth,” Perrette added. “For me, going back to being an actor would take away from this life of true authenticity that I’m living 100% of the time.”
Outside her acting career, Perrette is also known for her philanthropic efforts, actively supporting numerous charitable organizations, particularly those focused on animal rescue and domestic violence prevention.