Who Is George Schenck? NCIS Season 22's Tribute Explained

During its marathon run on TV, NCIS required many people to make the series the success it is, and the series paid tribute to one of those people during its October 14 season 22 premiere. When the police procedural aired the opening of NCIS season 22, it featured a tribute to George Schenck, causing many to wonder who the man was. To those who worked on the show for years, since its earliest days, Schenck was a dear friend and colleague, which warranted memorializing his contributions to the series and his passing.

From the outside, it's impossible to perceive how many individuals contributed to the NCIS franchise to make it successful today. Schenck is one of those contributors, working with the series since its earliest days when Mark Harmon was Leroy Jethro Gibbs and when Sasha Alexander's Kate Todd was still with the team. As for anyone who contributed to the series, Schenck deserves recognition in NCIS season 22. That's especially true, considering he's helped craft the show dating back to NCIS season 1. The opening installment of the show was arguably one of the best seasons of NCIS.

George Schenck Was A Writer, Producer & Showrunner On NCIS For Several Years

Schenck Contributed To NCIS Since Season 1

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George Schenck contributed to NCIS for many years as a writer and producer. The tribute to Schenck in the October 14 premiere featured an image of the producer, with the dedication: "In Memory of our Dear Friend and Colleague George Schenck." Schenck joined the series 21 years ago for NCIS season 1, working as a consulting producer. Schenck was promoted to co-executive producer for NCIS season 5, crafting the story around Jennifer Shepard (Lauren Holly) and her revenge plot against Rene Benoit (Armand Assante). By NCIS season 9, Schenck was executive producing the series.

Schenck left during the era of Eleanor Bishop (Emily Wickersham), Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), and Jacqueline Sloane (Maria Bello) being part of the main NCIS cast with veterans such as Sean Murray and Mark Harmon.

Schenck died in his Brentwood, California, home on August 3, 20204, at 82 (via Deadline). He will be remembered for his massive contributions to the series. In total, Schneck wrote 48 episodes of NCIS between season 1 and 16 and contributed to over 300 episodes. The last episode written by him was NCIS season 16, episode 9, "Tailing Angie." Schenck left during the era of Eleanor Bishop (Emily Wickersham), Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), and Jacqueline Sloane (Maria Bello) being part of the main NCIS cast with veterans such as Sean Murray and Mark Harmon.

George Schenk Was A Key Part Of Making NCIS Great

Schenck Crafted Sean Murray's McGee

Custom image by Simone Ashmoore

George Schenck played a crucial role in making NCIS great. The first episode that Schenck wrote for NCIS was season 1, episode 7, "Sub Rosa." The episode famously introduced Murray as Timothy McGee, the most veteran NCIS cast member in season 22. Schenck's writing of the McGee contributed to Murray's journey from guest star to 21-year regular. NCIS brought the rookie NCIS agent character to fill time in another episode after his "Sub Rosa" performance, where fans loved seeing him interact with Michael Weatherly's Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo.

Those who worked with Schenck will miss him, and paramount NCIS creators have spoken out about his death. Following the news of Schenck's death, NCIS cast member and executive producer Mark Harmon released a statement noting Schenck's contributions to the series. Having worked on the show for 19 years, Harmon had a close working relationship with the writer/producer, of whom he spoke fondly. The statement, which spoke to both Schenck and his producing partner, Drank Cardea, read (via TV Insider):

So sorry to hear the news on George. The professionalism and tenacity of George and Frank changed the face of the show. I’m so appreciative of the team and teamwork they both represented.

What Other Movies & TV Shows George Schenck Worked On

Schenck Wrote Sci-Fi And Westerns

George Schenck dedicated much of his career to NCIS writing and production, but he also wrote and produced several other movies and TV shows. At the start of his career in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Schenck launched his screenwriting career by writing episodes for Western TV shows. His contributions to The Wild West, Branded, Honda, and Bonanza contributed to the skills he would bring to NCIS. While the Westerns differed from the police procedural, their narratives undoubtedly inspired some of Gibbs' brand of justice.

Schenck eventually changed direction, leaving his sci-fi and Western kick behind.

After getting his footing in screenwriting, Schenck wrote and directed Superbeast, a 1972 horror/sci-fi movie. He went on to co-write Futureworld, another sci-fi thriller, with Mayo Simon. Schenck eventually changed direction, leaving his sci-fi and Western kick behind. He made the TV series Crazy Like a Fox in the mid-1980s, writing and producing for the series from 1984-1986. After that, Schenck stuck with TV until he landed his massive role in the NCIS franchise, his last writing or producing credit.

Source: Deadline, TV Insider