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Before ‘Lost’ Fame: Alan Dale’s Surprising NCIS Role You Never Knew About!

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In contrast to many cable TV networks repeatedly employing familiar faces, New Zealand actor Alan Dale found himself cast in some of the top-rated television shows on ABC and CBS during the mid-2000s. Following his display of authority as Homeland Security Officer Thomas Morrow on NCIS, Dale’s most notable role might be that of Charles Widmore, a character he portrayed with great impact as the merciless leader of the Others in Lost. The Others were a native group residing on a South Pacific island, who vehemently opposed the survivors of a plane crash.

Prior to starring in “Lost”, Dale made an appearance as Tom Morrow on the Naval procedural JAG during one of the series’ well-known backdoor pilots. From 2003 to 2016, he embodied Morrow across a considerable number of episodes (approximately 14), which is just shy of his stint in “Lost” (17 episodes). As NCIS prepares for its record-breaking 22nd season finale on May 5, 2025, it’s worth noting Dale’s two memorable TV roles before his upcoming series, “The Assassin”. This will undoubtedly enhance fans’ appreciation of this talented character actor.

Alan Dale’s Career Before ‘NCIS’

Alan Dale, not particularly well-known in everyday households, is a talented movie and TV actor hailing from New Zealand. He kicked off his career in the late 1970s. With his breakthrough American television role on ER in 2000, Dale has since expanded his repertoire with popular shows such as The X-Files, The Practice, and The West Wing. In The West Wing, he delivered an exceptional performance as Secretary of Commerce Mitch Bryce, which led to a series of roles in American government and law enforcement dramas, including the hit series JAG and NCIS.

Despite significantly transforming his character in the series “Lost,” Dale has showcased versatility by portraying numerous politicians and government officials on shows like “CSI: Miami,” “24,” “Flight of the Conchords,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Homeland,” “The Killing,” “Secret City,” and “Graves.” Dale’s commanding presence has been instrumental in his success in portraying high-ranking public figures. However, it’s challenging to envision his career path without first embodying the Homeland Security Chief, Thomas Morrow, on “JAG” and “NCIS.

Dale’s ‘NCIS’ Role as Tom Morrow

Tom Morrow, portrayed by Dale, initially appeared as NCIS Director in the two-part backdoor pilot “Ice Queen” and “Meltdown” on JAG. He remained a significant figure until Season 3, Episode 1, “Kill Ari Part 1,” when he stepped down following Caitlin Todd’s death. Subsequently, Morrow shifted roles to Deputy Director of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Over the years spanning 2003 to 2016, he reappeared in NCIS a total of 14 times, making an appearance whenever legal matters required his attention.

After Morrow departed from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Jennifer Shepard (played by Lauren Holly) took over until her tragic death in 2008. Subsequently, Leon Vance (portrayed by Rocky Carroll) assumed the role. This left Morrow to head the Department of Homeland Security and collaborate with Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) from NCIS on critical high-profile cases related to international and domestic terrorism. Morrow made five appearances in NCIS’s first season, one appearance in Season 2, and another in Season 3.

After a seven-year break from NCIS, Morrow made his comeback in Season 10 and concluded his character’s storyline across the subsequent four seasons. During this time away from NCIS, Dale took on the role of Charles Widmore in Lost, significantly transforming his screen persona.

In Season 13, Episode 21 of NCIS, titled “Return to Sender” (aired in 2016), fans bid farewell to character Tom Morrow. Tragically, Morrow met his end when he was shot at the back of his head by a rogue CIA operative disguised as a sniper, Trent Kort. However, justice was served when Kort was eliminated in a confrontation with NCIS agents, including Gibbs and his team. Although it was tough for Gibbs to part ways with a long-time workmate, Morrow’s death wasn’t without purpose, as he was ultimately avenged.

Dale Soars as Charles Widmore in ‘Lost’

In 2005, when Alan Dale took a break from NCIS, he was chosen to portray Charles Widmore in the Season 2 finale of Lost. This groundbreaking television series, which told the story of 40 plane crash survivors on a South Pacific island, captivated America before the streaming era, making it a highly anticipated weekly event even before binge-watching became popular. Dale’s moving performance as Widmore, the leader of the group living on the island known as the Others, played a significant role in the show’s popularity.

The Others are a group that lives on the island and views the survivors of the crash as an enemy. Sometimes they act like a family, but Widmore was expelled from the island by the Dharma Initiative due to his frequent trips off the island and having a child, Penny. After being banished, Widmore tried to stop Desmond Hume (Henry Ian Cusick) from marrying Penny (Sonya Walger), as he was obsessed with returning to the island. His goal was to break up the couple and keep The Man in Black (Titus Welliver before his role in Bosch) from leaving the island.

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, let me put it this way: Through cleverly placed flashbacks, we uncover that the enigmatic figure known as Widmore hails from a chilling past, one rooted in his days on an island back in 1954 when he was just seventeen. This man transformed into one of my most dreaded adversaries on the screen, Sawyer’s (Josh Holloway), over the course of Lost. From the very first episode, Dale exuded a menacing aura that lingered long after his appearances between 2006 and 2010. Even at the ripe age of 70, Widmore met his tragic end when he was mortally wounded by Ben Linus (Michael Emerson) with a bullet to the stomach.

Instead of being just a simple, repetitive antagonist, Widmore gained widespread popularity for his intricate moral layers and fleeting moments of compassion. Even though many viewers correctly guessed that Widmore was responsible for sending the Kahana to the island, the subtle depth he added to the character through his portrayal as a caring father and strong leader continue to be some of the most impactful performances in the series.

In a seamless manner, Dale masterfully transitioned from a hero to a villain in what seemed like an effortless act, given his work on shows like NCIS and Lost from 2003 to 2016. It’s actors of such exceptional talent as Dale who serve as the creative binding force that keeps popular television series thriving for extended periods. His versatility allows him to convincingly portray a villain in one role and a trusted government leader in another, thereby reinforcing his commanding presence on-screen.

Next up, Dale will feature in the upcoming TV show titled “The Assassin,” alongside Keeley Hawes and Freddie Highmore. At the same time, a new wave of viewers are becoming acquainted with Lost, which was previously played by Charles Widmore 15 years ago, as it is now streaming on Netflix and Hulu. Additionally, NCIS can be streamed on Paramount+.

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2025-04-27 20:12

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