After 15 years, "CSI" is bidding adieu with a two-hour finale on Sunday, September 27. Though he left in 2009, the series has always been most closely identified with the first supervisor of the show's Crime Scene Investigation team, Gil Grissom, played by "To Live and Die in L.A." star William Petersen. Grissom was steady if a little eccentric: His background was in forensic entomology -- that is, the role of insects in forensics. Fans have noted similarities to that other eccentric, Sherlock Holmes. Since his departure, Petersen has devoted himself to stage work.
After 15 years, "CSI" is bidding adieu with a two-hour finale on Sunday, September 27. Though he left in 2009, the series has always been most closely identified with the first supervisor of the show's Crime Scene Investigation team, Gil Grissom, played by "To Live and Die in L.A." star William Petersen. Grissom was steady if a little eccentric: His background was in forensic entomology -- that is, the role of insects in forensics. Fans have noted similarities to that other eccentric, Sherlock Holmes. Since his departure, Petersen has devoted himself to stage work.
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Catherine Willows, played by Marg Helgenberger, was a former Vegas stripper who went into forensics work after earning her medical degree. Helgenberger, previously best known for "China Beach," was with the show for its first 12 seasons. She was a guest star on the recent season of "Under the Dome."
Catherine Willows, played by Marg Helgenberger, was a former Vegas stripper who went into forensics work after earning her medical degree. Helgenberger, previously best known for "China Beach," was with the show for its first 12 seasons. She was a guest star on the recent season of "Under the Dome."
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Before "CSI," Jorja Fox was on "ER" and "The West Wing." As scientist Sara Sidle on "CSI," Fox was a regular for the first eight seasons and the last four, also appearing on three others as a guest.
Before "CSI," Jorja Fox was on "ER" and "The West Wing." As scientist Sara Sidle on "CSI," Fox was a regular for the first eight seasons and the last four, also appearing on three others as a guest.
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George Eads, who plays Nick Stokes on "CSI," was in almost the entire run of the show but will not be appearing in the finale. (Eric Szmanda, who wasn't a regular the first two seasons, has made it all the way through.) Prior to "CSI," Eads was on the soap "Savannah" and had a guest part on "ER." He and Fox made headlines in 2004 when they were fired during a contract dispute, but they worked things out within two weeks and didn't miss a beat.
George Eads, who plays Nick Stokes on "CSI," was in almost the entire run of the show but will not be appearing in the finale. (Eric Szmanda, who wasn't a regular the first two seasons, has made it all the way through.) Prior to "CSI," Eads was on the soap "Savannah" and had a guest part on "ER." He and Fox made headlines in 2004 when they were fired during a contract dispute, but they worked things out within two weeks and didn't miss a beat.
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Gary Dourdan played Warrick Brown for "CSI's" first eight seasons, but his character was killed off at the beginning of season 9. He's had a handful of guest roles since leaving the show, most notably a run on "Glee."
Gary Dourdan played Warrick Brown for "CSI's" first eight seasons, but his character was killed off at the beginning of season 9. He's had a handful of guest roles since leaving the show, most notably a run on "Glee."
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Paul Guilfoyle played loyal detective Jim Brass, the CSI unit's liaison with the rank and file police. Guilfoyle left the show after 14 years but came back for the finale. Before "CSI," he had a steady movie career, with roles in "Quiz Show," "L.A. Confidential" and "Amistad."
Paul Guilfoyle played loyal detective Jim Brass, the CSI unit's liaison with the rank and file police. Guilfoyle left the show after 14 years but came back for the finale. Before "CSI," he had a steady movie career, with roles in "Quiz Show," "L.A. Confidential" and "Amistad."
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Eric Szmanda, as Greg Sanders, started out as "CSI's" comic relief: the wet-behind-the-ears trainee. After becoming a regular in season 3, he became a trusted member of the team.
Eric Szmanda, as Greg Sanders, started out as "CSI's" comic relief: the wet-behind-the-ears trainee. After becoming a regular in season 3, he became a trusted member of the team.
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Wallace Langham, as technician David Hodges, was a part-time from seasons 3 through 7 and became a regular in season 8. Fans of his acting may remember him from "The Larry Sanders Show," in which he played a staff writer. He's been in a handful of movies during "CSI's" run, including "The Social Network" and "Hitchcock."
Wallace Langham, as technician David Hodges, was a part-time from seasons 3 through 7 and became a regular in season 8. Fans of his acting may remember him from "The Larry Sanders Show," in which he played a staff writer. He's been in a handful of movies during "CSI's" run, including "The Social Network" and "Hitchcock."
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Robert David Hall, who plays coroner Dr. Al Robbins, was an intriguing addition to the cast: having had both legs amputated, he gets around in a wheelchair or with prosthetics. Hall himself lost both legs in a car accident. His character has been a mainstay of "CSI" since the third season and appeared at times in the first two.
Robert David Hall, who plays coroner Dr. Al Robbins, was an intriguing addition to the cast: having had both legs amputated, he gets around in a wheelchair or with prosthetics. Hall himself lost both legs in a car accident. His character has been a mainstay of "CSI" since the third season and appeared at times in the first two.
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Laurence Fishburne, who started his acting career as a teenage soldier in "Apocalypse Now," joined "CSI" after Petersen's departure. For three seasons, he played Dr. Ray Langston. Fishburne has been constantly active in his career, with roles in "Boyz N the Hood," the "Matrix" trilogy, "Man of Steel" and the forthcoming "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice."
Laurence Fishburne, who started his acting career as a teenage soldier in "Apocalypse Now," joined "CSI" after Petersen's departure. For three seasons, he played Dr. Ray Langston. Fishburne has been constantly active in his career, with roles in "Boyz N the Hood," the "Matrix" trilogy, "Man of Steel" and the forthcoming "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice."
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When Fishburne left, the role of "CSI" team leader was taken over by Ted Danson as D.B. Russell, a trained botanist. Danson, of course, is best known for his long run on "Cheers" but also has appeared in "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Damages" and "Bored to Death."
When Fishburne left, the role of "CSI" team leader was taken over by Ted Danson as D.B. Russell, a trained botanist. Danson, of course, is best known for his long run on "Cheers" but also has appeared in "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Damages" and "Bored to Death."
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Elisabeth Shue was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in "Leaving Las Vegas" but found herself back in Sin City as Julie Finlay, a blood-spatter expert, after Helgenberger left the show. Shue's other work includes "Back to the Future" II and III, "Hollow Man" and "Chasing Mavericks."
Elisabeth Shue was nominated for an Oscar for her performance in "Leaving Las Vegas" but found herself back in Sin City as Julie Finlay, a blood-spatter expert, after Helgenberger left the show. Shue's other work includes "Back to the Future" II and III, "Hollow Man" and "Chasing Mavericks."
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Elisabeth Harnois joined "CSI" as a regular in season 12, playing Morgan Brody, an analyst. (She'd appeared on "CSI: Miami" as a different character.) Harnois has guested on dozens of shows, including "Highway to Heaven," "Charmed" and "Criminal Minds."
Elisabeth Harnois joined "CSI" as a regular in season 12, playing Morgan Brody, an analyst. (She'd appeared on "CSI: Miami" as a different character.) Harnois has guested on dozens of shows, including "Highway to Heaven," "Charmed" and "Criminal Minds."
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Jon Wellner's Harry Andrews was a recurring character starting in season 5 and became a regular in season 13. He's a toxicology specialist. Wellner has also appeared on "Bones" and "NCIS," and one of his pre-"CSI" roles was as Bob Denver on "Surviving Gilligan's Island."
Jon Wellner's Harry Andrews was a recurring character starting in season 5 and became a regular in season 13. He's a toxicology specialist. Wellner has also appeared on "Bones" and "NCIS," and one of his pre-"CSI" roles was as Bob Denver on "Surviving Gilligan's Island."
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Liz Vassey played a DNA specialist, Wendy Simms, during the middle seasons of "CSI's" run. She was a regular in season 10. Vassey has had guest roles on "Two and a Half Men," "Castle" and "Necessary Roughness."
Liz Vassey played a DNA specialist, Wendy Simms, during the middle seasons of "CSI's" run. She was a regular in season 10. Vassey has had guest roles on "Two and a Half Men," "Castle" and "Necessary Roughness."
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David Berman, who plays assistant coroner "Super" Dave Phillips, had occasional appearances on "CSI" from the first season through the ninth, becoming a regular in season 10. Berman was also on "Drop Dead Diva" for five years.
David Berman, who plays assistant coroner "Super" Dave Phillips, had occasional appearances on "CSI" from the first season through the ninth, becoming a regular in season 10. Berman was also on "Drop Dead Diva" for five years.
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Louise Lombard, as Sofia Curtis, was part of Grissom's team when she started on the show, but her character eventually became deputy chief of the police department. Lombard has also been on "NCIS" and "The Mentalist."
Louise Lombard, as Sofia Curtis, was part of Grissom's team when she started on the show, but her character eventually became deputy chief of the police department. Lombard has also been on "NCIS" and "The Mentalist."
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Lauren Lee Smith lasted just one season on "CSI," the show's ninth, as team member Riley Adams. Since her departure, she's been on "The Strain," "Psych" and the Canadian series "The Listener."
Lauren Lee Smith lasted just one season on "CSI," the show's ninth, as team member Riley Adams. Since her departure, she's been on "The Strain," "Psych" and the Canadian series "The Listener."
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