‘NCIS’ Paid Tribute To Deceased Showrunner Gary Glasberg In Season 14, Episode 3

On this Tuesday’s episode of CBS’ “NCIS,” the show paid a special tribute to showrunner Gary Glasberg, who died suddenly on Sept. 28 at the age of 50. Glasberg joined TV’s most-watched drama as a co-executive producer and writer in 2009. In 2011, he was handed the showrunning duties by Shane Brennan, who went on launch “NCIS: Los Angeles.”

Glasberg was not only the showrunner of “NCIS,” but he, along with lead star Mark Harmon (who plays Gibbs on the crime series), created “NCIS: New Orleans.” The spinoff is currently in its third season.

Although the cast of “NCIS” Season 14 and Michael Weatherly have already expressed their sadness and condolences of Glasberg’s sudden passing, the Oct. 4 episode of the series said goodbye to the beloved creative genius.

“Gary was our rock, our cheerleader, our team captain,” the tribute card, which aired after the episode, read. “He inspired us with his leadership, his creative instincts and keen insight. NCIS will not be the same without him, and each of us will miss his smiling face and unwavering humor, which lifted us every day.”

The former “NCIS” showrunner had been in the TV and comic book industry for 20 years, writing for comic books and animations for companies like Warner Bros., Disney, Nickelodeon, Fox and Hanna-Barbera.

Before “NCIS,” Glasberg worked on “Shark,” “The Mentalist,” “Crossing Jordan,” “The $treet” and “Bones.”

Glasberg’s death will not affect the airing of “NCIS” episodes this fall since a majority of them were shot weeks in advance. However, TVGuide reports that CBS has not yet selected anyone to take over Glasberg’s showrunning duties.

“NCIS” Season 14 airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on CBS.