Rocky Carroll exited NCIS as Director Leon Vance in season 23, which aired in the spring of 2026.
The actor has also directed episodes of NCIS, with his latest airing in April 2026.
The show’s Instagram celebrated Rocky Carroll’s 63rd birthday on July 8.
Rocky Carroll may no longer be part of NCIS, but the franchise certainly hasn’t forgotten him.
On July 8, the NCIS social team celebrated Rocky’s 63rd birthday with photos of him on set. “It's a good day for a Rocky Carroll appreciation post,” the caption read. “Happy birthday to a dear friend of ours! 🎉🎉.”
Fans got in on the celebration too.
“Happy birthday, Rocky! Keep blessing us with your amazing talent! 🎂 🥂 🙏✨️🤲🏼👏😍 🎥 🙌🔥,” one person exclaimed in the comments.
“🎂🎉🎈Happy Birthday, Rocky! Still miss you on the show but good to see you behind the scenes,” another penned.
“Happy birthday to this fabulous actor. We love you Rocky ❤️,” a different follower added.
While we don’t know what’s next for Rocky in his career, it seems he’d be open to returning to NCIS.
“Oh, that remains to be seen,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in March 2026. “Not only will I still watch the show; I’ll still be part of it. I’ve been asked to come back and direct next season, even though my character is dead. But we also have coined the term ‘ghost stars.’ We have more characters who have been killed off who come back as apparitions and spirits. And we do flashbacks, where people have died long ago are very significant. So I wouldn’t be surprised [if] Vance might be more prevalent dead than he was when he was alive.”
Fingers crossed Rocky returns, and we wish him the best year ahead!
