CSI producers began yet another spinoff of the CSI franchise with another star leading the way. Gary Sinise became Mac Taylor in “CSI: NY,” a military veteran who had a sobering backstory where his wife died in the September 11th terrorist attacks. The character of Mac Taylor was a likable one and an excellent leader to those under him.
He was a CSI supervisor and directed his team through nine seasons of gritty, New York crime. Sinise became a familiar face on “CSI” as he appeared in 200 episodes of the franchise. Of course, Sinise is probably best known for his role as Lieutenant Dan in “Forrest Gump.”
Jon Wellner – Then
Jon Wellner's journey on "CSI" began with a cameo appearance as a zookeeper in the show's fifth season. However, he patiently bided his time until his opportunity to become a part of the main cast arose in season thirteen. As Henry Andrews, the skilled toxicology expert, his role didn't demand a constant on-set presence.
Henry's character was portrayed as somewhat uptight, often fumbling with humor, yet his endearing nature shone through, making him a beloved addition to the ensemble. Despite facing challenges with comedic timing, Wellner's portrayal of Henry brought a unique charm and an engaging dynamic to the cast, further enriching the show's captivating narrative.
Jon Wellner – Now
Jon Wellner is probably best known for his role on "CSI," but has had numerous appearances on shows like "Bones," "Drop Dead Diva" and "NCIS," just to name a few. Before his role in "CSI," Wellner also rubbed shoulders with some of today's biggest stars – George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon in "Ocean's 13."
Unfortunately, since "CSI" ended in 2015, Wellner's career also came to a halt as he has not taken on any projects since. With that said, Wellner did make TV viewers gasp a little when he showed up in one episode of the popular comedy-drama "Shameless."
Gary Sinise – Now
Gary Sinise had a well-polished career before coming to "CSI" and has won multiple Emmys for his roles in "George Wallace" and "Truman." He also received an Oscar nomination for his memorable character, Lieutenant Dan in "Forrest Gump." After the end of the show, he joined another successful CBS crime franchise as Jack Garrett, in "Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders."
The show was canceled, but Sinise has continued to grow his career. In addition to acting, Gary Sinise is also a proud supporter of the U.S. Military and has a philanthropic foundation that provides aid to veterans. Sinise's most recent TV roles came in the Netflix series "13 Reasons Why."
Ted Danson – Then
After Lawrence Fishburne's contract was not renewed and he left the show, the producers yet again found themselves lacking a high-powered star. They turned to one of the most winsome actors in all of Hollywood, Ted Danson. There is no denying that it was a bit odd seeing the "Cheers" star show up in a "CSI" series.
After all, he's better known for having played lighter roles over the years. Dr. Langston's departure left a void, but Danson's D.B. Russell character filled the void with his calming presence. He maintained the role for the last four seasons, but also made an appearance in season two of "CSI: Cyber."