You Know That Face From The Worst Day Of Gibbs’ Life

They say behind every great man is a great woman. For NCIS’s Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, that woman is his first wife, Shannon, played by Darby Stanchfield.

Shannon only appears in flashbacks because she and her daughter, Kelly, died in a car accident caused by a drug dealer years before the show began. Even though NCIS is always on TV, Shannon isn't as recognizable as the series regulars. However, there’s a good chance you recognize Stanchfield from elsewhere. She has appeared in some of the most popular shows of the last two decades. Here is why Shannon Gibbs looks so familiar.

A Long List of TV Roles

NCIS is one of the most-watched dramas in the U.S., but it is far from Stanchfield's only success. Early in her career, she appeared in Angel and had a small role in 24 as a neighbor named Shari. She also appeared in That '80s Show, Monk, Without a Trace, and Nip/Tuck.

Just before NCIS, she played Dr. April Green in the post-apocalyptic drama Jericho. She also had a 10-episode run on General Hospital and played Helen Bishop, a divorcee in Mad Men. Stanchfield has worked steadily for years, guest-starring on Bones, Private Practice, The Mentalist, and How I Met Your Mother. Following NCIS, she appeared in CSI: NY, CSI: Miami, and played Richard Castle’s first ex-wife in Castle.

Major Roles in Hit Series

In 2012, Stanchfield landed a major role in Scandal. She played Abby Whelan, the White House Press Secretary and loyal friend to Olivia Pope, for seven seasons. She also worked behind the scenes, directing the promotional series Scandal: Gladiator Wanted and an episode in the final season.

More recently, she starred as Nina Locke in the Netflix series Locke & Key. The show follows a mother and her children who move into a house with magical keys after her husband is murdered. Playing Nina, who struggles with alcoholism, gave Stanchfield a new emotional challenge. Her long career shows no signs of slowing down.