Pauley Perrette

Pauley Perrette is an American actress, best known for starring as Abby Sciuto on the U.S. TV series, "NCIS." Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Perrette lived throughout the Southern United States. Before her acting career took off in the late 1990s, she attended Valdosta State University in Georgia, where she studied Criminal Justice, and later moved to New York City to study at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

After relocating to New York City, Perrette began working as a bartender. A co-worker introduced her to a director which led to multiple jobs including commercials and short films.

In 1996, she landed a recurring role on the legal drama "Murder One." She won her first starring role on the short-lived sitcom "That's Life" in 1998. In 1999, she had a part on "Time of Your Life," a spin-off from "Party of Five."

In film, Perrette had small parts in the movies "Almost Famous" and "The Ring." In 2003, Perrette debuted as Abby Sciuto, an offbeat, cheerful lab technician known for her tattoos and goth fashion sense, on the crime drama "NCIS." Her character works with a team of Navy investigators, and she became a fan favorite. Perrette’s character has influenced young girls everywhere to follow Abby’s lead and become interested in forensic science or other STEM-related fields. That is why Perrette created the Pauley Perrette Forensic Science Scholarship to continue Abby’s influence to inspire more young women in forensics.

Perrette is also a musician and was the lead singer for the punk band Lo-Ball. She also contributed the song "Fear" to the first NCIS soundtrack under the name Stop Making Friends. In addition to writing and playing, she operates her own independent music label, Go Records.

Perrette is an involved activist who supports a number of causes and charities, including Save the Children and Habitat for Humanity.