Here's What Liza Lapira From NCIS Is Doing Now
You may know her as Agent Michelle Lee on "NCIS," but Liza Lapira has accrued an impressive résumé with a lot more than just the hit drama under her belt. The actor appeared on "NCIS" for two years, having made her debut during the first episode of Season 4 in 2006, and she starred alongside the Washington, D.C. team of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service on the Emmy-nominated series until Season 6 in 2008.
During her time on "NCIS," she played the role of Lee, a lawyer who served as a temporary agent of the NCIS Major Case Response Team. Lapira's time on the show came to an end when it was revealed her character was a mole leaking classified information to an unknown source, ultimately being killed by NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (played by Mark Harmon).
Prior to starring on the CBS fan-favorite, Lapira earned her status in showbiz with tons of other roles. As her IMDb page states, she made her acting debut in a 1999 episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," followed by "Autumn in New York" in 2000, and "Law & Order" in 2001. By 2003, she acted in "Sex and the City," as well as both "Without a Trace" and "The Sopranos" in 2004. That same year, Lapira snagged a recurring role in "Huff," which led to "ER," "Dexter," and ultimately "NCIS." For more details on what Lapira is up to today, keep scrolling.
Liza Lapira has been living out her 'dreams' as an actor
In 2008, Liza Lapira said goodbye to the all-star cast of "NCIS" after two seasons and 12 episodes. Following Lapira's exit from the CBS series, the actor portrayed the character of Trinh in 2009's "Fast & Furious," as her IMDb page details. That same year, the star earned acting credits in "Table for Three" and "See Kate Run," and she also had a recurring role in "Dollhouse" until 2010.
The early 2010s were extremely busy for Lapira, as she juggled several projects, including "See You in September," "Crazy, Stupid, Love.," and "Don't Trust the B—- in Apartment 23." As if we haven't already named so many Hollywood classics, Lapira even had a part in "Blue Bloods" in 2014, "The Perfect Stanleys" in 2015, a starring gig in "Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life" throughout 2016, and a one-episode appearance in "The Good Doctor" in 2018.
By February 2019, Lapira found her way back to the drama series realm when she was offered a guest-role on "NCIS: New Orleans." The actor played Araminta Jax on the episode titled "Crab Mentality." Though she has yet to revive her role of Agent Michelle Lee, Lapira feels "lucky" to have experienced so much in her career. "A lot of people have given me chances when they didn't have to," she said to CBS Local in January 2018. "It's been fun. I've been living the life beyond my dreams."
Liza Lapira doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon
In recent years, Liza Lapira has done anything but trail away from the spotlight. In fact, the actor has kept up with her hectic Hollywood schedule, balancing multiple roles in "Empire," "The Hypnotist's Love Story," and "Modern Persuasion." Lapira also appeared on "Nancy Drew" from 2019 until 2021, playing the role of Victoria Fan for five episodes. Her latest work is on the hit CBS program "The Equalizer," which premiered in February 2021, per IMDb.
Fortunately for fans, "The Equalizer" is returning for Season 2, as Lapira's co-star Queen Latifah confirmed the show was picked up for a new season in May 2021. "Thank you to all the fans watching week after week and our hardworking cast and crew!!!! Let's go Season 2," she wrote on Instagram. The crime series is set to return to air in October, as Parade reported, which means Lapira is going to be a busy lady for the time being.
Reflecting back on everything Lapira has accomplished as a Hollywood star, you'd be surprised to know acting wasn't her first passion. "I actually started out with singing," she told CBS Local, saying everything changed when she performed in a high school musical. "After that, I just wanted to act. I went to school and started doing theatre and then I moved to Los Angeles in 2004." Fortunately, the journey has been nothing but memorable. "It's been great," Lapira gushed.