(L-R) Michael Weatherly, Mark Harmon and Sean Murray in NCIS
[Check out my 11/20/11 pictorial update at the bottom of this article!]
TV News: I just started watching my DVR’d episodes of NCIS starring Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perette and I noticed a rather gaunt Sean Murray who plays Special Agent Timothy McGee. I was concerned because if the camera puts ten pounds on you, he’s nearly non-existent! So I was worried about Sean Murray’s weight loss!
I decided to investigate using my internet forensic skills… OK, I used various terms in the Google search window. What I found out, was that, according the CBS people, Sean Murray is not ill. The official statement is that he’s been on a diet & exercise regime.
Updated: Sean Murray addressed the weight loss from his Twitter account (Gotta love the Twitter!), he said he lost 25 pounds via abstaining from alcohol, most sugar and eating organic food. OMG! No alcohol!? I’m doomed. He went on to address that if you look closely, you can watch his weight loss, via one pound at a time, over the course of season 7 of NCIS.
Wow, it’s working. Almost too well. He seems pretty gaunt, that’s for sure and it really seems like it’s beyond a normal diet plan. I have to wonder if he went vegetarian too. That could account for the quicker change that fans are noticing more than anything else. To turn vegetarian, you have to be pretty careful to maintain protein intake and other details. That’s if he did.
So that’s the deal that I can find for now on Sean Murray from NCIS.
(This could be considered a spoiler… as attested to by “:@,” or whatever he’s calling himself by.)
Speaking of NCIS, the premiere episode, titled “Spider and the Fly” was an impressive completion of the season seven cliffhanger they left us with. I was almost surprised how the team wrangled the Ambassador into shooting his own sister. Sweet, poetic justice! Just the way I like it served!
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Updated: (Sean Murray’s Twitter account)
Update #2 (11/20/11) on Sean Murray’s Health:
It’s obvious from the many comments that have come in to this article, that Sean Murray has many, many fans who are very worried about him. Over the last year or so, fans have watched him as he’s lost weight, and now, with the most recent episodes of NCIS, it would seem that his voice, along with his weight, is changing. Getting raspier or less authoritative.
When he took to Twitter to mention his weight loss, it seemed innocent enough. But as fans weigh, in addition to the lack of any further press or information from the network or Sean Murray himself, I’m starting to wonder what really is up? I’d think that as fans go a little crazy being worried, that more info would be released publicly from someone.
Be it as it may, I thought I’d toss up a few images from NCIS from over the last few years for comparative purposes. For me, I’m not seeing any huge eye-opening differences between the images, but you can see there’s something up… especially in the neck region. But that difference to me, looks like a more defined set of neck muscles. check it out:
Sean Murray in 2009:
Sean Murray in NCIS fr 2009
Sean Murray, 2010:
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Sean Murray, 2011:
Heck, I don’t know why I didn’t think of this pictorial diff before now!
Well, here’s hoping that all really is well. From what I’m seeing in the comment section, you guys are great fans and care an awful lot about him. And you are worried. You’re all awesome fans!
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UPDATE 4/16/12: Here’s an interesting perspective… I took a break from NCIS for a while and when I came back, and I don’t have recent memories to compare Sean now to before, he sounds like any other slightly raspy-voiced actor. With no comparisons, he looks like any other thin person and doesn’t look horrible. That’s looking at him as he is now, not comparing to what what he was.
I think we should be patient and see what comes of this because so far, nothing has come of it except noticeable weight loss.
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About Bruce Simmons
I've been writing newsletters since 1999. Of late, I've been focusing on the entertainment consumer angle on mostly the sci-fi, fantasy and action genres of TV, movies and books.
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Despite denials I would bet there has been something wrong with Murray, it’s been apparent physically he’s been unable to move like he has in the past. Agreed? IF this is true then the entire years sub-arcs have been thrown off. This show has turned into a steady development of its’ lead characters (How many cases can anyone really remember and the game is to pick the true killer in the first act). Ducky’s heart attack has been discussed for a while now and they’ve finally put it into motion, McCallum is back for two more seasons. I’d say most of the McGee’s ‘business’ has had to be put on the back burner until this passes and judging from Murray’s visual improvement over the last few weeks of the show I’d say there’s a good shot it’s back to normal next season. Gibbs is not the Gibbs of 9 years ago, he has no reason to be anymore, nor are any of them and we watch it for their relationships and development not for who killed whom and why. At least I do.
Not watched NCIS for a while and although McGee’s weight loss is very obvious what I’m really noticing is that his adam’s apple has disappeared. Has he had surgery to have this done – might explain the voice?
You know there’s another way to look at Sean’s illness. If Sean would be humble, and allow us to ride whatever is ailing him with him. For him to devuldge his devestating change in appearance and the aches and pains that go with them, we as his long time fans could create a database chaulk full of idea’s and support that would have a significant affect on how this is all being played out. Right now it’s being played out as as supicious, empathetic, low enery, the way one feels when someone who is loved in a family and is sick. The whole family feels like s[expletive removed]. When all people in a sick family all jump in and help, everyone feels better as there is a sense of energy towards the healing process. Sean has every right to be private about his life, but when he signed up for this series, he also signed up for disclosure, to an extent, so his fans can not feel left out. Sure it’s not required and privacy is privacy, but it’s part of the ride. If your reading this Sean, I guess I’m saying I think you not telling us the truth about you weight loss. Everybody in almost 300 emails on this blog all agree, pretty much, that we don’t believe you. Were not as gullable as we may seem. We been through this a thousand time’s but people on a diet don’t look and talk like your doing. Diets don’t change people in the way you’ve changed. If your condition is going to stay the same, I think you should share a little more than you want to so we can become more than just fans, we can become strength for you challange, if cancer is your battle and I think it is. If I’m wrong, I’m going to feel embarrased for a long time but if I’m right we can make a difference.
Brothers and Sisters under the same sun
JJ
If he is ill and goes public it will be difficult to get acting jobs. Completion bonds cost enough and employing an actor who has been seriously ill can drive that cost up.
Thyroid cancer. I’d bet my last dollar.
So sad … he’s so young.
We all know by now that Ducky will survive his heart attack, but I am positive Magee won’t survive the explosion.
If it is Thyroid Cancer, surgery usually takes care of it. I’ve had friends who have had their thyroids out and recovered just fine. They have said they were told, if it’s cancer, thyroid may be the one that’s totally curable. I’m not in the medical field, but having friends who have gone through it….I trust their word.
Whatever the reason Sean looks and sounds as he does, I pray it’s not an illness. He really should not let us go on like this, but let the truth be known.
Barbara
My first thought was he is anorexic. He looks far to thin, his cheeks are sunken like he is just skin and bones.
I’m positive that he had gastric by-pass surgery. That explains the extreme weight loss. And, with this surgery you usually sail past your weight goal. It takes a while for the body to adjust and get back to healthy weight.
There can also be some complications that could affect his voice.
Unbelievable-Gastric bypass? You have to be 100 pounds overweight for that!! (Women have to be 80 pounds over) Sean was never fat, just a bit chubby and the camera makes you look heavier!
Gastric bypass! Thanx for the laugh!!
About his voice, if you look back to several years ago, there was a time when Pauley’s voice was raspy for awhile, too.
Yeah, right! Gastric by-pass…no way! Definitely not heavy enough for that. He was a little chunky, that’s it ! Hate going crazy over this. Wish he would just come clean and tell all ! Perhaps the laugh is on us and he’s enjoying himself at our expense. C’mon Sean…..what’s the story?
Oh my word…gastric-bypass? I’m not even going to try to explain that away – it is too ridiculous. Also, as a former anorexic – he is not so thin that that alone would affect his voice. My father had cancer – chemo/radiation affected his voice in the same way.
And to JJ – Sean has no obligation to open up every detail of his life to anyone. Fans are not family, and they are fickle. Since the executive producer is Sean’s step-dad, I’m sure they’re protective of his interests.
Prayers for Sean’s health.
Gang, keep in mind… (this isn’t directed at any one person) it’s OK if someone tosses something out that you either haven’t thought about or don’t think is right, let’s make this an OK place to toss out those ideas or suggestions. Be kind, be constructive… Thanks gang!
Hey, JM I’m in complete agreement with you. Well said.
Yes, Bruce, you are right. We all have our hunches as to what is going on with Sean but until he comes forward and lets his fans know we can only guess. I sure hope he wasn’t killed off or seriously hurt. That would only add to more speculation that he is really ill. Your fans are here for you Sean. We love you
http://instagr.am/p/L9lvT_AP2g/
Sean Murray and his bro on June 16 in Vegas-he looks better! check out Twitter.com
@Jerry…
“Chock” full.
Pretty deep, redpen, you got the red right, cause it means wrong. When your face to face with someone you don’t like, you’ve got 2 choices; one is to take a swing and ask questions later, two is tell the person what’s on your mind, and oh yeah, there’s a 3, to just mumble and stand there. Bruce asked us to keep it clean, so I’ll do as he asks, and not say anymore. So “Chock” full, right back at t’chya.
I love NCIS and Sean Murray, he’s an amazing actor and i hope he survives the explosion, although it seems unlikley from the position he was when the bomb went off, the weight loss seems natural to me, but i don’t want to assume, Team Gibbs wouldn’t be the same without him
Totally agree that Tony is an amazing actor. I don’t know if he had the chops when he first started on the series, but if you watch the earlier series as much as I do with USA playing them all the time, you can easily see either his acting getting better and him relaxing more, or, he was always that good and had to find his way with the new people on the set. In his 3rd year you could see him relaxed to the point the lines look like he’s making them up on the spot. To me, that’s great acting, again not in an emotional setting, but in a back and forth banter with Tony or Ziva, that either the lines are just right with his character or he’s becoming the character in his mind and almost adlibbing his lines, as if the script wasn’t necessary. That’s where his weight on made him look so good. The weight fit the character that he had set up from the get go. However that explosion made it look, with his arms up and him getting the explosion standing straight up and looking right at it, like his body took a hit from an explosion in about the worst way a body can; that he was supposed to be hurt pretty bad or die. If he comes out and gets his health back, which everybody is hoping is happening, the character he was molding is going to come back just as he left it for him to start back in and perfect it even more. Hope all that is written in his Karma.
I too was concerned about Sean’s weight and more recently his voice and if he is unwell, (not adjusting body and voice changes to adapt to his fictional role) I wish him better. I love the role he plays and love that he is standing up for himself against Tony. Tony needs to get a good dose of his own medicine at times to rein him back in and. I love all the complexities of the characters and even for those who find it difficult to make it readily obvious that they are ‘family’, it nice to see when it matters, they pull out all the stops tp demonstrates the very fictional fact. Too much speculating, lets just Enjoy!!
Seriously…why hasn’t anyone had the same first impression as I did? DRUGS! That would explain the weight loss. And any opiate (herion, oxycontin, percocet) will cause a raspy voice. We all know he can afford them! He looked so cute all along but this new weight loss isn’t attractive at all.
Hey trock….you sound like an authority on drugs….are you a doctor, dentist or just a wishful thinker? Be careful, there is a law against slander !!
Barbara
Thanks Barbara. The drugs suggestion is not only unrealistic but honestly, mean. And just to add, no one on serious drugs can maintain the schedule necessary for Sean’s job–for this long…
Yes, Sean is in show business but that doesn’t mean treating him like an object to the point of this kind of speculation can be be justified…
Thank you, Sean is a great actor and we can tell he is going through something. If it was drugs he would have a different appearance and actions. I give him a lot of credit to be working through it, a lot of people wouldn’t. He is great and I want to give him best wishes and prayers for a positive ending to whatever he is going through. We love you Sean.
Many of us suggested part of Sean’s problem may be drugs – as in chemotherapy. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but it doesn’t appear he is using drugs recreationally. Besides, Sean has been in show business since he was a kid. If he was going to exhibit the behavior suggested, I should think he would have done so years ago, not wait until he’s in his 30s, married with children. For all their sakes, I hope he recovers soon.
So…
Does anyone know why Sean Murray hasn’t signed a contract for season 10 yet? I’m not particularly worried -the directors don’t seem to be -just curious. “The behind the scenes drama of TV’s number 1 drama,” you know? ^.^
Where do you folks get your info? About contracts, etc. I read the local paper everyday….perhaps in the tabloids? I don’t inbibe….don’t know whether to believe them or not…..I’m on the east coast…am I missing something from the folks on the west coast? Seriously !!!
Published in NYC a month or so ago. They see no problem in resigning everybody, McCallum just signed a new 2-year deal
Ok ! published in NYC last month….what paper? I do get one NY paper here in my city but why would I buy a NYC paper? I can check with my son who lives a bit north of the city (NY that is) and perhaps he can send me the news !!! Oh Lord, I did ask, didn’t I ??? I need to correct my foot-in-mouth problem I have sometimes….sorry folks !!
If Marc correct, then the whole crew is considered ready to go. A green light light has been given and all the specualization about Sean getting blown back so bad in that bombing was just to keep us wondering, and Ducky laying there with his eyes open, with his face in 1 inch of sea water as he put on a real good act of having a heart attack or stroke, now all for show knowing they’ve all signed a new 2 year contract is great. For one I was really worried about Sean. He was scarry skinny, and when my Dad was like that 2 hospitals said he had 2 months, so I appologize for being pessimistic, but my Dad made and I’m glad Sean did too. Good luch to Sean and all the crew on their new season.
Here are a few links:
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/05/ncis-season-10-spoilers-the-aftermath/
http://entertainment.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981439675
http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/06/rocky-carroll-returning-to-ncis-this-fall/
Food for thought guys… when you come across pieces of info about potentials, take it with a grain of salt. In one comment, it was referenced that they were 100% ready to go with the cast onboard.
In these links provided (I have to approve comments with links), it talks about story angles and ideas.
If it’s something I’ve learned about hovering over the entertainment industry, IF THEY DON’T SAY IT, but hint at it, well, take it with a grain of sale.
I know a few contracts have been renewed and there have been a few holdouts still. There are always a few holdouts each season.
What news I have on site is that ” Brian Dietzen Is Now an ‘NCIS’ Regular” and that in 2011, Harmon signed a 2-year extension and that Ducky signed up for a 2-year contract just before the finale.
I have not seen any news on the other cats in the cast yet.
What I’m trying to say is to read some of these news pieces and recognize with they’re fluff. Or spin or propaganda designed to get fans excited… but with no real news delivered.
To be honest, it’s an art form… but I just wanted to toss that out there gang.
-Bruce
Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette and Sean Murray have yet to resign any contracts and the last time contracts were up, Murray was the holdout and signed last.
The moment I catch wind of any contract news, you know I’ll be on it as soon as I can get it out!
So hang tight and don’t get upset with each other!
Bruce, hate to go off on another tangent, but you mentioned Pauley Perrette. Is the news I heard about trouble with her husband/boyfriend??? true. If so, she said she was in fear and would probably move to another state….Is this another tabloid falsehood ????? Hope so. Will stick to Sean for now….just wondering where you mentioned her signing….thanks for the info.
I’m not seeing anything along those lines. She had an ugly divorce in 2006 but nothing recent.
thanks Bruce….that’s good news.
Whoops – Must be a little sensitive in my old age.
To redpen – Thought you were say chock full of sh……, and didn’t know you were just correcting my English, I think. Had to go back through and find out what I had written that could be taken that bad, but see now, it looks like redpen, with corrections with a redpen would be going around and correcting peoples English. Being that as it may, I guess I feel better knowing how to spell chock now. Being a retired carpenter, I was thinking about a chauk line, or is that still wrong. Oh well, sorry I jumped to conclusions. When you give a comment on line, one sort of hangs their soul out there, and in doing so, feels a little vulnerable and ready for a fight.
I hear you Jerry. I’ve openly written things on the site (being honest) that I’ve been ripped for and in other places, I’ve been sent death threats for what I’ve written… part of this internet thing is being able to take some of it with a grain of salt. (You’ll find that folk on the internet are very quick to unbridled judgement from afar, at their keyboards.)
Well put Bruce. It feels safe behind the keyboard where no one can see you or control what you type. Too bad that what some of us write can’t be just open, honest but kind and compassionate at the same time. Hopefully, this too shall pass to something better.
Has anyone besides me considered that the so called heart attack Ducky had could be a dream? Sometimes on programs when something bad happens to one of the characters it turns out to be a dream the character was having? Also, fyi, Rocky Carroll has resigned his contract – who cares about him?
HI everyone,
The last posting I saw from this blog was the July 7th one. Since then, as Bruce suggested, the last three actors – including Sean, signed their two year contracts. Bruce had pointed out that they were hold outs last go around, though I am thinking their contracts, like insurance policies, have a summer date rather than a spring date like other cast members.
As for Ducky in the last scene of the season finale, I am guessing the plot line will be his able assistant coming to look for him to tell him about the wedding postponement, seeing Ducky collapsed, and saving his life. Our little lab assistant is growing up.
I really do believe Sean’s weight loss was a choice. You can’t play the dumpy, dorky sidekick forever. I like Tim McGee’s personality and how Sean has honed the character. But honestly, don’t you think his appearance is an attempt to garner a bit of the “beefcake” (I type that not to disparage) spotlight?
I get a bit tired of Tony. And Michael is getting long in the tooth.
Beefcake? I don’t think that is synonymous with sickly which is how he looked during the last season. Sean’s appeal has not been based on his classic romantic-lead good looks, not that he’s chopped liver either. However, his characters’ charming personality has made him more appealing regardless of his outward appearance. No offense to Sean, but I would never use “Beefcake” as a descriptor for him. I hope he’s getting better.
Love this show.Dont care if they all grow fangs an put on weight.Have gotten so attached to this show, I EVEN WATCH ALL THE RERUNS. Now that is an old woman in love with em all.I must admit I loved McGee better when he was a little fluffier. But, he’s still a sweetie an they all can do no wrong in my eyes.Keep the show coming forever. Hugs an kisses to them all. Roll on Babies
I’m with you Margaret even wishing Sean was still a little fluffy ! I don’t think these youngsters realize what losing too much weight does to their once beautiful features. Perhaps a side by side picture would help. Too thin is not pretty or handsome…..it’s TOO THIN !
me and my husband love ncis–lets look on the bright side??i would love to be strong enough to lose weight and keep it off!!i feel he is fine—-
Unless he is on an extreme weight loss program, he’s gone beyond a healthy weight loss. He strikes me as a cancer patient and not someone who has abstained from sugar and booze. But i will go with the intended weight loss because it’s not as sad and fixable.
Thought he looked and sounded better these first two episodes of season X.
If I am not mistaken……I believe he cut down on his intake of alchole and sugars, and also went on a vegan diet. I don’t know if he is still doing that…but I do not believe he has been ill
Originally, I wasn’t terribly worried when he started dropping weight, I figured he really was just trying to lose a few pounds. He was a bit chubby (even though I thought he was adorable that way) so maybe he felt like getting more in shape. However, around season eight, he went from skinny to straight up gaunt. Then I started to consider illness, and his recent voice change has got me ten thousand times more worried. I don’t believe for a second he’s on drugs or has had gastric bypass, I believe he’s sick. Perhaps thyroid cancer as aforementioned, or maybe just hypothyroidism in general. I wish he would let us know, because as a dedicate McGee and Murray fan, I’m worried about him. I’m scared for him, and I’m happy to see that this season he seems to be putting on just a little more weight. I really hope he’s okay…
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