Why Maria Bello Left NCIS: The Straightforward Reason Behind Her Exit

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After three seasons of playing Dr. Jacqueline “Jack” Sloane on “NCIS,” Mario Bello bid farewell to the CBS series in March 2021.

She first appeared in Skeleton Crew, the 4th episode of NCIS Season 15, which aired on October 17, 2017. Her final episode was True Believer, the 8th episode of NCIS Season 18 that aired on March 2, 2021.

Maria Bello joined the cast of NCIS as Dr. Jacqueline "Jack" Sloane in 2017 and appeared in the series alongside Mark Harmon, who plays the lead role of Special Agent Leroy Jethro GibbsMaria Bello joined the cast of NCIS as Dr. Jacqueline “Jack” Sloane in 2017 and appeared in the series alongside Mark Harmon, who plays the lead role of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Credit: Milla Cochran / Startraksphoto)

Measuring 5ft 5 (165.1 cm), Mario Bello was 50 years old when she first appeared on NCIS in October 2017 and 53 when her final episode aired in March 2021.

Maria Bello left NCIS due to the straightforward reason that her contract had expired, and she did not choose to renew it. Initially, her exit was planned to occur even earlier than it did, as she was contracted to appear from Season 15 through Season 17.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting filming disruptions, she stayed on to give her character, Jack Sloane, a proper exit in Season 18.

Maria Bello joined the cast of NCIS as Dr. Jacqueline "Jack" Sloane in 2017 and appeared on the show for three seasons until her departure in 2021Maria Bello joined the cast of NCIS as Dr. Jacqueline “Jack” Sloane in 2017 and appeared on the show for three seasons until her departure in 2021 (CBS)

Bello’s departure from NCIS was entirely her decision, much like other actors who have left popular series to pursue other projects, such as Torrey DeVitto from Chicago Med.

She posted a heartfelt tribute to her Instagram, writing, “NCIS New Orleans ‘NCIS: New Orleans’ will end after Season 7 “And that’s a wrap for Jack Sloane @ncis_cbs !!! I’ve learned many things on this journey for the last three and a half years. I learned about commitment and community. I’ve learned that the woman I am enjoys process over product. I’ve never worked with a kinder, more generous group of people. I only had the privilege of standing by Dom’s side during cancer because my producers worked so hard to make sure I was there for every treatment. I made a speech today for our crew.”

“Though in our business, like many, there are quite a few assholes – there is not one on the set of NCIS – in front of or behind the camera. Only a profoundly decent group of people who care more about each other and the world in general than what is in it for them. I understand why this show after 18 years is the most watched in the world – you must all feel our love. Keep watching. I have a feeling there will be many more years to come. Thank you to all of my pals at NCIS and to all of our fans. I am truly grateful.”

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Maria Bello (@officialmariabello)

After leaving NCIS, she was cast as Maria Bello as home improvement store owner Jordan in Lee Sung Jin’s American comedy-drama television series Beef.

With a net worth of $12 million, Maria Bello gained recognition for her role as Mrs. Smith in the television series “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” despite the show being canceled after only eight weeks.

Bello subsequently appeared in the last three episodes of the third season of “ER” as pediatrician Dr. Anna Del Amico and later became a regular cast member during the show’s fourth season. From 2017 to 2021, she starred in “NCIS” and earned $125,000 per episode.

Maria Bello curls her blonde hair for the premiere of her latest film "Lights Out"Maria Bello curls her blonde hair for the premiere of her latest film “Lights Out” held on July 19, 2016, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles (Credit: WENN / Nicky Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision)

In July 2016, Maria Bello attended the 2016 American supernatural horror film Lights Out premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

She co-stars with Teresa Palmer and Alexander DiPersia in the supernatural horror film directed by David F. Sandberg.

The then-49-year-old American actress and writer sported a pair of harem pants from Greg Lauren’s (Ralph Lauren‘s nephew) Spring 2016 collection.

Maria Bello wears a pair of denim-and-silver harem pants from Greg Lauren's Spring 2016 collectionMaria Bello wears a pair of denim-and-silver harem pants from Greg Lauren’s Spring 2016 collection (Credit: WENN / Nicky Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision)

We imagine these pants would make M.C. Hammer proud.

Maria Bello wears a patterned white tank top with a chunky choker necklaceMaria Bello wears a patterned white tank top with a chunky choker necklace (Credit: WENN / Nicky Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision)

Maria also wore a white spaghetti-strap tank top patterned with light blue geometric designs.

Maria Bello's gray roots peek out from beneath her blonde hairMaria Bello’s gray roots peek out from beneath her blonde hair (Credit: WENN / Nicky Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision)

She accessorized with a chunky pyrite chain necklace, geometric earrings, bulky rings, and red lipstick.

Maria Bello wears denim-and-satin harem pants with a patterned white tank topMaria Bello wears denim-and-satin harem pants with a patterned white tank top (Credit: WENN / Nicky Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision)

She finished her black carpet outfit with a pair of delicate leather sandals by Alexa Wagner.

Maria Bello's feet in gray leather Alexa Wagner sandalsMaria Bello’s feet in gray leather Alexa Wagner sandals (Credit: WENN / Nicky Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision)

Maria’s lace-up “Kendra” sandals feature zigzag seaming along the slim straps and 3.75in / 95mm covered stiletto heel.

Maria Bello's feet in strappy gray "Kendra" sandalsMaria Bello’s feet in strappy gray “Kendra” sandals (Credit: WENN / Nicky Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision)

Unfortunately, these sandals from the Milanese designer are no longer available online.

Black Alexa Wagner Kendra SandalsBlack Alexa Wagner Kendra Sandals, $910

One month earlier, we spotted Maria Bello wearing an entirely different look to a special Hollywood gala celebrating women in film.

Maria Bello in a sleeveless pink, red, and white Max Mara floral pleated dress at the Women In Film Los Angeles Celebrates The 2016 Crystal + Lucy AwardsMaria Bello in a sleeveless pink, red, and white Max Mara floral pleated dress at the Women In Film Los Angeles Celebrates The 2016 Crystal + Lucy Awards Presented by Max Mara and BMW on June 15, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: WENN / Nicky Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision)

Rather than bulky mixed-media harem pants, she opted for a high-necked pink-and-white chiffon-style dress.

She wore her blonde hair down, kept her makeup simple, and ditched the bulky accessories.

Maria Bello looks classy in a pink-and-white chiffon-like dressMaria Bello looks classy in a pink-and-white chiffon-like dress (Credit: WENN / Nicky Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision)

She finished the ensemble with a pair of classic bubblegum pink pumps.

Maria Bello, who wears a shoe size 9 (US), flaunts her feet in pink pumpsMaria Bello, who wears a shoe size 9 (US), flaunts her feet in pink pumps (Credit: WENN / Nicky Nelson / Adriana M. Barraza / FayesVision)

The hint of a red sole makes us assume these are Christian Louboutin shoes, but we can’t confirm. Any guesses?