Rocky Carroll Biography: Age, Wife, Kids, Net Worth, Height, Parents, NCIS, Movies & TV Shows, Awards

Roscoe Fulton Carroll, professionally known as Rocky Carroll, is a highly accomplished American actor and director who has enjoyed a prolific career across theater, television, and film. He first established his reputation as a powerful stage actor in New York, proving his immense talent in classical Shakespearean productions and acclaimed contemporary plays.

He is widely recognized for his long-running, authoritative performance as NCIS Director Leon Vance across multiple series in the NCIS franchise, as well as his prominent roles on the sitcom Roc and the medical drama Chicago Hope.

Early Life and Education

Roscoe Fulton Carroll was born on July 8, 1963, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was raised in a supportive household by Mr. and Mrs. Carroll, alongside siblings whose details remain private. He developed an early interest in the arts and trained at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, graduating in 1981. He later attended the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University in St. Louis, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

After university, he moved to New York City, where he taught Shakespeare to children while pursuing a professional stage career. He identifies with the African-American ethnic group and actively practices the Christian faith.

Career

Rocky Carroll initiated his career in the New York theatrical circuit, performing extensively with the New York Shakespeare Festival and taking on diverse roles that traditionally were not offered to actors of color. He faced the typical struggles of a young stage actor until 1987, when he teamed up with legendary playwright August Wilson to originate the role of Lymon in The Piano Lesson.

This critical stage run served as his ultimate breakthrough moment, bringing him widespread mainstream recognition, a Drama Desk nomination, and a prestigious Tony Award nomination when the production transitioned to Broadway, which instantly opened doors for major Hollywood screen opportunities.

Rocky Carroll successfully moved into television when his stage co-star Charles S. Dutton invited him to play the carefree musician Joey Emerson on the acclaimed Fox sitcom Roc. His career momentum continued to grow as he stepped into the dramatic role of Dr. Keith Wilkes on the CBS medical series Chicago Hope, followed by notable guest-starring parts on high-profile network dramas like The West Wing, ER, and Grey’s Anatomy.

His industry influence reached its highest peak when he joined the global hit procedural NCIS during its fifth season as Assistant Director Leon Vance, a character so popular he was quickly promoted to the main cast and cross-over episodes on NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans. Beyond his steady work in front of the camera, he has expanded his creative legacy by regularly directing episodes for network television, establishing himself as a multi-talented force in modern Hollywood.

Awards and Nominations

• Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play (Nominee – 1990)
• Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Nominee – 1990)
• NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Nominee – 1999)
• NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Nominee – 1998, 2010, 2013)
• Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (Nominee – 1997–1998)

Social Media

• Twitter Handle: @rocky_carroll

Personal Life

Rocky Carroll is 62 years old and stands at an imposing height of 1.88 m. He is happily married to his wife, architect Gabrielle Bullock, whom he wed in 1996, and the couple shares one daughter named Elena. He has kept his personal life entirely free of rumors and has no other publicly recorded past relationships or children.

When he is not busy on the set of his long-running television series, he splits his time between acting, working behind the scenes as a director, and enjoying a quiet family life at his primary residence in Los Angeles.

Net Worth

Rocky Carroll has an estimated net worth of $4,000,000. He built this impressive wealth primarily through his highly successful, decades-long run on television, earning substantial salaries that crossed over $100,000 per episode during the peak seasons of NCIS.

His financial foundation is further supported by recurring backend residuals from his extensive television catalog, additional income from directing multiple network episodes, and a handful of feature film roles.

Filmography

• Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
• Roc (1991–1994)
• Crimson Tide (1995)
• The Great White Hype (1996)
• Chicago Hope (1994–2000)
• Best Laid Plans (1999)
• Welcome to New York (2000)
• The West Wing (1999–2006)
• The Agency (2001–2003)
• Yes Man (2008)
• NCIS (2008–present)
• NCIS: Los Angeles (2009–2023)
• NCIS: New Orleans (2014–2021)
• The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2017)
• The Death and Return of Superman (2019)