Thanks to guest star Kurt Yaeger, the latest episode of NCIS: Hawai’i will be a historic moment for the franchise. Yaeger is set to make television history by appearing in distinct roles on all four seasons of “NCIS.” This episode will mark the end of his complete sweep. He’ll have appeared on NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS: Hawai’i, among other shows.
“Given how long these franchises have been around, there will inevitably be some crossover with actors,” Claudia Lyon, CBS talent and casting exec VP, told Variety. “We don’t have any statistics on how frequently this occurs, but I wouldn’t be surprised.” There are many actors who perform one or two of them. But what distinguishes Kurt is that he has completed all four.”
However, Yaeger is notable for his unique combination of being both an actor and a writer with a disability. He lost the lower portion of his left leg in a motorcycle accident in 2006. Taking advantage of his status as an actor and writer, which includes this “NCIS” record-breaking achievement. He is also using his clout to expand opportunities for other disabled performers.
Yaeger has played a variety of roles on all four versions of ‘NCIS.’
Yaeger is also advocating for more actors with disabilities to avoid stereotypes. In the most recent episode of NCIS: Hawai’i, he appears in flashbacks as MSgt. Strand, Jane Tennant’s (Vanessa Lachey) father. “The ‘NCIS: Hawai’i’ character has nothing to do with disabilities,” says Yaeger. “It’s changing to the point where people say, ‘Well, you can play any character.'” I’ve always had the ability to play any character. “From the chest up, 95% of acting is done!”
Yaeger made his first franchise appearance as Marine Sergeant Freddie Linn on NCIS in 2014. Unfortunately, the character lost the use of his legs due to a broken body armor plate striking his spinal cord. Despite this setback, he was able to launch a successful skydiving business. In the episode, he uses his forensic knowledge to assist federal investigators in determining who is to blame for the distribution of defective body armor to overseas troops.
In 2019, he appeared as Kevin Simms, a law enforcement officer dealing with the aftermath of an incapacitating injury, on NCIS: New Orleans. “We had the second-most number of disabled actors in a single episode of a TV show,” Yaeger said of the NCIS: New Orleans episode.
Between 2016 and 2017, Yaeger appeared in five episodes of “NCIS: Los Angeles” as Sullivan, an affable military veteran and leg amputee. However, his character was revealed to be Ferris, a ruthless CIA officer out for vengeance on Kensi Blye. “The characters were all very different,” Yaeger said. “They had different vibes, different characteristics, and different ways.”
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