Pauley Perrette became a fan favorite over fifteen seasons of the hit show NCIS, playing the unique and intelligent forensic scientist Abby Sciuto from 2003 to 2018. Her memorable performance earned her three People’s Choice Award nominations, and she became closely associated with both the character of Abby and the long-running series itself.
Before becoming famous for her role on NCIS, Pauley Perrette appeared in the acclaimed 2000 film Almost Famous. Directed by Cameron Crowe and starring Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup, and Frances McDormand, the movie is a charming and semi-autobiographical story inspired by Crowe’s own teenage years writing for Rolling Stone magazine. Over 25 years later, it’s still a highly enjoyable film, and particularly worth revisiting for fans of NCIS.
A Star-Studded Dramedy Full of Nostalgia & Heart
Almost Famous, a film set in 1973, tells the story of 15-year-old William Miller, a gifted writer, who gets the incredible opportunity to tour with the up-and-coming band Stillwater and write about them for Rolling Stone magazine. During the tour, William connects with Russell Hammond, Stillwater’s lead guitarist, and also meets Penny Lane, a seasoned and spirited groupie, with whom he quickly falls in love.
William tried to write an unbiased account, but he found it difficult as he got closer to the band Stillwater and witnessed the growing friction between its members. He quickly learned that both being a rock star and a journalist covering one were much more complex than he initially thought, especially as personal conflicts started to surface.
Pauley Perrette’s Role in ‘Almost Famous’
DreamWorks Distribution, LLC.
What’s next for Pauley Perrette, known for her role as Abby Sciuto on NCIS? She recently had a memorable, though small, part in Almost Famous as the energetic radio DJ Alice Wisdom. Her character engaged in a lively conversation with Philip Seymour Hoffman’s character, Lester Bangs, a fictionalized music critic. The film was largely based on director Cameron Crowe’s time writing for Rolling Stone, and it’s said he modeled Perrette’s character after San Diego DJ Gabriel Wisdom, whom Crowe knew when he lived there.
Although “Almost Famous” didn’t do well at the box office – earning only $47.4 million with a $60 million budget – critics loved it. They praised the film’s captivating story, realistic feel, and memorable characters, especially the performances by Kate Hudson and Frances McDormand. Over the years, it’s become a beloved cult classic.
Viewers immediately connected with the film. Almost Famous received four Academy Award nominations, and Cameron Crowe won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The movie also won Golden Globes for Kate Hudson’s supporting role and as the best musical or comedy. Audiences gave it a very positive ‘A−’ rating on CinemaScore.
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Since it came out 25 years ago, Almost Famous has received widespread praise from major publications like the BBC, The Hollywood Reporter, and Rolling Stone, and was recently ranked as one of the best films of the 21st century by The New York Times. The movie also launched the careers of actors like Kate Hudson, Patrick Crudup, and Zooey Deschanel, making them well-known faces. Meanwhile, Pauley Perrette enjoyed a successful 15-year run as a lead on CBS’s NCIS before retiring.
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2026-01-23 21:33