The latest episode of NCIS season 23 ended on a bit of an unexpectedly somber note, with the show closing out the eighth of the season with a special dedication to Thomas Buckley.
"In memory of our friend and colleague Thomas Buckley. We will miss you," read the dedication card that followed the episode, "Stolen Moments” as a way to honor the late Buckley, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
Buckley passed away in late April at the age of 55, with the dedication card in the episode designed to honor his legacy as part of the NCIS family as an AD. While it's unclear how long Buckley worked on NCIS with little information available regarding his tenure on the show, Buckley was among the many hard-working people who worked behind the scenes to create the show fans' love.
"He loved working at NCIS and was very appreciative that they were the only show giving him a shot during dark times. I will be forever grateful to everyone at NCIS that cared for him and made his day doing what he loved the most… being an AD after his love for his cats and the Astros," read a tribute to Buckley shared in a Facebook community group designed to honor his legacy.
ADs play pivotal roles on the sets of films and series such as NCIS, wearing many hats as they work to manage the practical logistics helping to ensure productions run on time, on budget, and safely. They're one of the unsung heroes of shows such as NCIS, playing pivotal roles in making the shows we love.
Buckley’s career in the film and television industry began with the 1996 comedy Waiting for Guffman starring Christopher Guest, Fred Willard, and Catherine O’Hara. AD was one of many hats Buckley wore across his life having founding Buckley Sound Production, working as a school bus driver in Texas Hill Country, serving as the mascot to the Austin Ice Bats, and was creating a non-profit to help transport wounded and disabled veterans to sporting events throughout the country.
As the obituary celebrating Buckley's legacy revealed, he was a huge Houston sports fan, which came shining through via the photo which accompanied the dedication card.
"Thomas had a heart bigger than Texas and made everyone around him laugh and feel loved. He was passionate about all Houston sports teams as well as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Texas Longhorns. He was on a mission to see his beloved Houston Astros play in every MLB stadium and had just watched them defeat the Royals in Kansas City the evening before his passing. He was a self-taught home chef who wasn't afraid of cooking anything and created his own line of infused vodkas for friends and family."
It's always touching to see shows celebrate the legacy of late members of the production team, as individuals such as Buckley. There is so much that goes into creating shows such as NCIS, and dedication cards are an amazing way to honor the lives and legacies of the those who work behind the scenes.
On behalf of the GeekSided team, our condolences go out to Buckley's family and loved ones, as well as the entire NCIS cast and crew.