Pauley Perrette: The Brainiac Forensic Scientist on 'NCIS'

Even if you don't watch NCIS you cannot miss Pauley Perrette's strikingly black hair and goth fashions when you see her on the TV commercials for this long running series on CBS. Speaking of commercials, she is the star of Expedia, a discount travel website, where she describes saving on hotel rates. Pauley is unforgettable, unusual and unique off and on the screen.

Her super short bangs, outdated pigtails, big eyes with defined eyeliner and plentiful tattoos make her standout from the everyday television character. The role of the quirky Abby Sciuto is a forensic specialist for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) who has been on the series since season one. Perrette is a veteran of TV commercials, music videos, indie films and other television series. What make her so different from the rest in Hollywood?

Degree in Sociology/Criminology/Psychology with Honors to Acting

This New Orleans native moved around the country due to her father's work with the telephone company. She was born on March 27, 1969. Pauley has been extremely fascinated with the sciences where she eventually earned an interdisciplinary degree with honors in sociology, criminology and psychology. After graduating from college she relocated to New York City.

Getting a job as a bartender Perrette recently told Entertainment Tonight (March 2011), a weekday tabloid show on celebrities, someone told her she could make $3,000 in a television commercial. She went to a talent agent and asked them "Is it true I can make $3,000 in a commercial?" they said "yes." That is how she landed her first acting role in a car commercial. It latter progressed to music videos where one of them was for Madonna. It was a minor hit song for the mega pop star. In 1996 Pauley landed her first television series.

Television to Films to NCIS

"Murder One" was a television series on ABC by the famed TV producer Steven Bochco who had also produced "Hills Street Blues" and "NYPD Blues." Afterwards, Perrette appeared as a recurring character on other hit TV shows such as "Fraiser" and "The Drew Carey Show." At this point in time she was appearing in independent films such as a starring role in "The Price of Kissing." Another followed with her supporting role in the Cameron Crowe's film "Almost Famous."

When Perrette went back to episodic roles on "Dawson's Creek" and "24" she landed on two episodes of "JAG" as the pig-tailed scientist, Abby Sciuto. When "JAG" was off the air a spin-off series came along in 2003 called "NCIS." Her character from "JAG" would then join forces with the rest of the cast.

Abby Sciuto and Her Other Works On and Off Camera

There have been many eccentric forensic scientists on television, but their appearances have always remained mainstream until Abby came along to change all that. Most of these roles had been cast by male actors. Her gothic makeup, hairstyle, fashion sense and bizarre activities make her a true standout. However, on the series she has a warm, friendly relationship with the show's medical examiner, Donald "Dicky" Mallard played by the veteran actor, David McCallum. This actor starred in a highly popular spy thriller TV series in the 1960s "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."

On the romantic side Abby has had her relationships with agent Timothy McGee and later on with new agent Ziva David. Perrette's many interests include music when she is not working on "NCIS." She recorded the song "Fear" under the name of Stop Making Friends. The song was later released on February 2009 as part of the "NCIS: The Official TV Soundtrack."

You will find Pauley Perrette involved in many charities such as the Red Cross, animal rights, Hope Gardens (an LA homeless shelter for families and seniors) and gay rights. She is keeping busy too at award shows. Don't be surprised if you find her on other television commercials on a TV screen near you.