‘JAG’ Ended 15 Years Ago: Where Are the Stars Now?
NCIS continues to reign as CBS’ top drama, and NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans aren’t far behind. But the smash-hit franchise wouldn’t exist without JAG, which premiered in 1995, and eventually spun off NCIS in 2003.
Created by Donald P. Bellisario, JAG followed the uniformed lawyers of the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General office, particularly the characters fans know and love as Harmon “Harm” Rabb, Jr. (David James Elliott) and Sarah “Mac” MacKenzie (Catherine Bell).
The first season aired on NBC, and after the Peacock Network canceled the show the following spring, CBS came to JAG’s rescue and aired nine more seasons.
JAG’s series finale aired 15 years ago—on April 29, 2005—and many of the show’s cast members have since taken exciting new roles and returned to the JAG/NCIS universe. Scroll down for career updates on JAG’s seven series regulars.
David James Elliott (Harmon “Harm” Rabb, Jr.)
In the years since JAG ended, Elliott starred in the dramedy GCB and recurred on the mystery Secrets and Lies, both from ABC, appeared on YouTube’s Impulse, and reprised his JAG role alongside Catherine Bell on NCIS: Los Angeles. He currently stars in the Netflix skating drama Spinning Out.
Tracey Needham (Meg Austin)
Needham, who co-headlined JAG with Elliot for most of the first season as Lieutenant Junior Grade Austin, apparently retired from showbiz in 2010, one her last roles being a two-episode stint on Veronica Mars.
Catherine Bell (Sarah “Mac” Mackenzie)
Bell, Elliott’s co-headliner from Season 2 onward, moved on to starring roles in Lifetime’s Army Wives and Hallmark’s Good Witch franchise. After joining Elliot in NCIS: Los Angeles’ Season 11 premiere, she also reprised her JAG role in LA’s April 25 season finale.
Patrick Labyorteaux (Budrick “Bud” Roberts, Jr.)
Labyorteaux broke into Hollywood two decades before playing well-liked Lieutenant Roberts on JAG with a role on Little House on the Prairie. Hehas spent recent years guest-starring on FX’s American Crime Story and ABC’s Castle and Scandal. He has also reprised his role as Bud Roberts in three episodes of NCIS so far.
John M. Jackson (Albert Jethro “A.J.” Chegwidden)
Jackson brought back Rear Admiral A.J. Chegwidden for six episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles between 2017 and 2018. He also shared the big screen with Chris Evans and Octavia Spencer in the 2017 drama Gifted.
Scott Lawrence (Sturgis Turner)
Lawrence, who played Harm’s former Naval Academy classmate has appeared in the films Avatar, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Danny Collins; starred on Audience Network’s Mr. Mercedes; guest-starred on Netflix’s Unbelievable and Carol’s Second Act on CBS; and voiced the one and only Darth Vader in 17 video games, including the 2019 hit Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Zoe McLellan (Jennifer Coates)
Unlike other JAG alums who showed up on the various NCIS series, McLellan did not reprise her role as Petty Officer Coates when she appeared on NCIS: New Orleans. On the show’s first and second seasons, McLellan played Special Agent Meredith Brody. She also starred as Kendra Daynes in the second season of Designated Survivor.
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