Characters of JAG
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This is an overview of the regular and recurring characters of long-running series JAG. Note: All ranks are those shown and/or stated by the end of the series.
[edit] Regular cast
[edit] Captain Harmon "Harm" Rabb Jr., USN (JAGC)
Played by David James Elliott.
A Naval aviator who became a JAG lawyer after being diagnosed with night blindness. He became strong friends with Mackenzie, and through the seasons their relationship grew through the years. Towards the end of the series the two grew even closer. By the final season, Harm and Mac became engaged to be married and would continue to live in either San Diego, or London.
[edit] Lt. Colonel Sarah "Mac" MacKenzie, USMC (JAGC)
Played by Catherine Bell.
Harm's partner and long-time romantic interest. In the later seasons she becomes more of a best friend and confidant for Harm. She and Harm become engaged in the last episode.
[edit] Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts Jr., USN (JAGC)
Played by Patrick Labyorteaux.
Originally an Ensign in charge of Public Affairs at USS Seahawk, who later became a JAG lawyer.
He had a younger brother, Mikey (Michael Bellisario) who served as a Navy artist before being accepted into the Naval Academy. They had a complex relationship with their father, Bud Sr. (Jeff MacKay), a retired Master Chief, who was borderline abusive when they were children, perhaps due to the strain of having to raise them himself after the death of their mother.
[edit] Lieutenant Harriet Sims, USN
Played by Karri Turner.
Replaced her future husband Bud as official in charge of Public Affairs at USS Seahawk and later became part of the administrative staff at JAG HQ. She came from a wealthy family. Harriet is happy go-lucky and shows a matchmaking interest.
[edit] Commander Sturgis Turner, USN (JAGC)
Played by Scott Lawrence. Seasons 7-10.
A good friend and former Naval Academy classmate of Harm, and a great rival in the courts. He served on submarines before becoming a lawyer. Son of a Baptist Navy chaplain. Sturgis and Harm play hoops and fix cars together. Kept secret that Mac let it slip to him "That she was in love with him," him meaning Harm. He was also accused of incompetence in a case, only to be defended unsuccessfully by Bud, causing a rift between the two. Ironically, later on, there arise two separate situations in which each defend the other successfully - when Sturgis is accused of racism against North Koreans under arrest in an US submarine, and when Bud is accused of assault when he hits an agitated and argumentative history professor under the assumption that he was about to hit his brother, Mike. Also, Sturgis went through a bout of guilt in having played a part in getting Bud into shape enough to be assigned his tour of duty as JAG on a carrier near Afghanistan, which led to the accident whereby Bud lost a leg.
He also earned a reputation for sticking to the rules, both in the courtroom as well as in investigations, to the point of being considered sanctimonious and priggish, especially by Harm. This pattern is also seen in his brief appointment as acting JAG between the leave of Rear Admiral Chegwidden and the arrival of Major General Gordon Cresswell. This further annoys Harm, who continually berates him. This leads to great animosity between the friends, finally leading to a verbal confrontation between the two when Stugis recommends against him in an investigation on Harm's alleged shooting down of a plane carrying an Iraqi official.
[edit] Major General Gordon Cresswell, USMC (JAGC)
Played by David Andrews. Season 10, 17 episodes.
The last JAGC in the series, he succeeded Rear Admiral A.J. Chegwidden upon his retirement in 2004. He was a very tough leader who also showed a low-key sense of humor and eventually won over the JAG officers.
[edit] Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Coates, USN
Played by Zoe McLellan. Seasons 7-10, 63 episodes.
A girl with a conflictive past. She was once Harmon's case and she was almost court-martialed for abandoning her position, but she decided to straighten out after spending a Christmas day with the JAG officers.[1] After serving her time in the brig, she was assigned to the USS Seahawk shortly before Lt. Roberts was assigned to the ship as JAG officer, and became his assistant.[2] She was later reassigned to JAG HQ and became a valued member of the team.
[edit] Former characters
[edit] Rear Admiral Albert Jethro 'A.J.' Chegwidden, USN (JAGC)
Played by John M. Jackson, Season 1-9.
An ex-SEAL, Admiral Chegwidden was the longest serving JAGC in the series. He became a kind of missing father figure for the team. He had an Italian ex-wife and daughter who were featured in a kidnapping plot in one episode.
[edit] Lieutenant, Junior Grade Meg Austin, USN (JAGC)
Played by Tracey Needham. Season 1.
Austin was the second partner to then Lieutenant Harmon Rabb, replacing Lieutenant JG Caitlin Pike. The character was known to be from Texas, inherited a friendship from her father to an obscure character very well connected in the intelligence community named "Ollie" in clear reference to Oliver North (portrayed by himself on three episodes in 1995, 1996 and 2002), who helped her on some of their investigations. She also proved to have superior computer skills to Rabb. We also find out that in the episode "Shadow", she has claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces).
When JAG was canceled by NBC after the first season, Needham left the series. When CBS picked up JAG from the second season, she was replaced by Catherine Bell, playing Major/Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie.
[edit] Commander Caitlin Pike, USN (JAGC)
Played by Andrea Parker. Seasons 1 & 6, 5 episodes.
She appeared in the following episodes: 1-2 "Pilot", 8 "Brig Break" & 21 "Ares" and season 6 episode 10 "Touch and Go".
Harm's first partner. She was reassigned but she later returned as a guest star in three episodes (actress Andrea Parker left the series to star in The Pretender). She and Harm were strongly attracted to each other, but never acted on it.
[edit] Main Recurring Characters
[edit] Rear Admiral Al Brovo, USN (JAGC)
Played by Kevin Dunn. Pilot episode & Season 1.
The first Judge Advocate General of the Navy in the series, with a weird sense of humor. His aide, Commander Theodore Lindsey, was often the butt of his jokes.
[edit] Commander Theodore Lindsey, USN (JAGC)
Played by W. K. Stratton. Seasons 1-8, 13 episodes.
He was Admiral Brovo's assistant (and often the butt of his jokes) and briefly served as acting Judge Advocate General in between Admiral Brovo and the arrival of Admiral Chegwidden. He was not kept on the staff at JAG headquarters by Admiral Chegwidden and was appointed as an aide to the Secretary of the Navy, Alexander Nelson (it was later revealed that the Admiral had no confidence in his abilities). Nelson's successor, Edward Sheffield, appointed Lindsey to audit JAG headquarters, and he came with aim of revenge, not only of the JAG personnel but against Admiral Chegwidden, who prevented him from reaching his rank of Captain. Lindsey recommends that most of the senior staff be reassigned. [3] However, when his bias is revealed, his report is disregarded by the SECNAV and he is fired from the staff.
Commander Lindsey later engaged in an extra marital affair with Lieutenant Loren Singer who attempted to blackmail him when she fell pregnant. After receiving $5000 from Lindsey, Singer slipped on ice and hit her head on a bridge railing. Commander Lindsey thought about calling for an ambulance but then decided to throw Singer over the bridge and attempted to frame Commander Harmon Rabb for the crime. Rabb was subsequently charged with murder but was cleared when NCIS Special Agents Anthony DiNozzo and Vivian Blackadder found the real culprit. It is revealed during the interrogation of Lindsey that he was not the father of Lieutenant Singer's baby and she therefore had nothing on him. Commander Lindsey pleaded out to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to eight years in Fort Leavenworth. [4]
[edit] Rear Admiral Thomas Boone, USN
Played by Terry O'Quinn. Seasons 1-8, 10 episodes.
Friend and colleague of Harm's father whom Rabb saves from court martial several times. His first appearance on the show was as the CAG aboard the USS Seahawk. Admiral Thomas Boone had a long and distinguished career in the US Navy, rising to the rank of Rear Admiral and was considered for promotion to Vice Admiral. However, due to allegations of war crimes he committed in Vietnam in 1968, he was subsequently court-martialed. Although he was acquitted of the charges, he requested retirement from the US Navy and was never promoted to Vice Admiral. He later returned to active service after 9/11.
[edit] Rear Admiral Alison Krennick, USN (JAGC)
Played by Andrea Thompson. Seasons 1-9, 7 episodes.
Former Harm's direct superior in the first season and first Admiral Chegwidden's assistant. She was first introduced as the Navy prosecutor in the first court martial trial against Captain Boone, after he shot down a serbian Mil Mi-24 Hind without authorization. She came back in the following episode as the assiatant of the newly appointed JAGC, the Rear Admiral A.J. Chegwidden. Through the end of Season 1, she played a seduction game with Harm. She returned as a guest star in one episode in season 9.
[edit] SecNav Alexander Nelson
Played by Paul Collins. Seasons 1-8, 32 episodes.
United States Secretary of the Navy. Often clashed with Admiral Chegwidden and his staff over political issues. Was forced to resign in the aftermath of the near-catastrophic Al-Qaeda attack against the USS Seahawk (thwarted by Harm, Mac, Sturgis, Bud, Lt. Singer, and Admiral Chegwidden).
[edit] PO Jason Tiner, USN
Played by Chuck Carrington. Seasons 2-9, 102 episodes.
Chegwidden's yeoman. He has a half-brother, Edward Proxy, a gay man who was once gay-bashed by a friend of Gunnery Sgt Galindez[5]. He left early in season 9 after graduating from law school and being accepted into Officer Candidate School.
[edit] CIA officer Clayton Webb
Played by Steven Culp. Seasons 2-10, 41 Episodes.
A CIA officer that initially claimed being from State Department. He later became a rival and sometimes an ally of JAG, achieving the position of Deputy Director Counter Intelligence. He and Mac were briefly married under cover. Mac and his real relationship ended when he faked his own death and Mac decided she couldn't deal with the deceptions involved in his work anymore.
[edit] Lieutenant Loren Singer, USN (JAGC)
Played by Nanci Chambers. Seasons 5-8, 40 episodes.
An ambitious JAG advocate. Singer was consumed by her continual want to further her career at the expense of those around her. She often clashed with the other characters. Especially praised was an episode in which Singer hurt fan-loved Harriet by using the death of her baby Sarah to discredit her testimony in court. In a later episode, however, Harriet got a measure of revenge by punching out Singer [6].
She had an affair with Rabb's half-brother Sergei Zhukov as well as with Commander Theodore Lindsey and an unnamed third man from whom she became pregnant. Shortly after, Singer was murdered[7], with suspicion falling on Rabb, who was eventually cleared (the two part story detailing the investigation into Singer's murder was used as the pilot for the spin off NCIS). Her real murderer was Commander Lindsey.
[edit] Midshipman Third Class Mikey Roberts, USNA
Played by Michael Bellisario. Seasons 3-10, 29 episodes.
Bud's younger brother. Initially a conflictive youngster, he became an enlisted man and later, a Midshipman at the Naval Academy. He was charged with murder after a CIWS gun malfunction on the USS Wake Island. He briefly dated Gunny Galindez' younger sister, much to the Gunny's displeasure. By the end of the series, he was dating Cammie, General Gordon Cresswell's daughter.
[edit] Congresswoman Bobbi Latham
Played by Anne-Marie Johnson. Seasons 3-7, 17 episodes.
A Congresswoman with interest on woman's rights and occasional romantic interest of Harm. She later dated Commander Turner for a while despite a disastrous beginning.[8] Tended to take a hard and often critical line towards the military, especially on cases involving the V-22 Osprey and an ambush in Sierra Leone, but was also shown to be fair-minded.
In numerous episodes, it is implied she is from Detroit and graduated from Yale Law School first in her class.[citation needed]
[edit] Lieutenant Commander Mic Brumby, CSC, RAN
Played by Trevor Goddard. Seasons 4-6.
A Royal Australian Navy officer who came to JAG in an exchange program and became involved with Mac. Mic was frequently called "Bugme" by Harm. In Australia, he and Rabb even come to blows over Mac. Mac and Mic later became engaged and he decided to go into private practice, which often made him go against the JAG in court. He finally left for Australia when he realized Mac was in love with Harm.
[edit] Gunnery Sergeant Victor Galindez, USMC
Played by Randy Vasquez. Seasons 5-9. A Gunnery Sergeant ("Gunny") assigned to Afghanistan and later to training who Mac recruited for JAG.
He used to be a sheriff deputy until he got injured and fell into alcoholism. His friend Manny saved him and Gunny later enlisted. Gunny once intervened to separate Manny from another man in a fight and he found himself accused of gay-bashing. The gay man, Edward Proxy, was the half-brother of PO Tiner, who was a key witness of the defense. He was absolved by a military judge, but an ambitious prosecutor tried him in a civilian court. Admiral Chegwidden defended him and he was also absolved. Becomes a key figure in Harm's rescue of Mac and Webb in Paraguay. [5].
Later, he transferred out because he wanted to return to first line combat and was seen in episodes set in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
[edit] Sergeant Sergei Zhukov (Russian Army)
Played by Jade Carter. Seasons 6-8, 10 episodes.
Harm's Russian half-brother, the son of Harmon Rabb, Sr. and a gypsy woman. A Sergeant in the Russian Army, he first met Harm when he was accused of selling weapons to Chechen separatists. Later he fell prisoner in Chechnya but was saved by Clayton Webb, who exchanged two trucks of wheat for him, and brought him to the USA on Christmas Eve. During his stay in the USA he had an affair with Lieutenant Loren Singer. His citizenship application was held up because the DNA tests were inconclusive, and he returned to Russia. He later returned for 48h to introduce Harm to his fiancée, Galina Borkova. [9]
[edit] SECNAV Edward Sheffield
Played by Dean Stockwell. Seasons 8-10, 11 episodes.
The second United States Secretary of the Navy in the series. Formerly a US Senator, he first appeared in one of Donald Bellisario's other series, First Monday. He assigned Commander Lindsey to audit the JAG due to political pressure[3]. He was forced to study Lindsey's report due to its harshness and told Admiral Chegwidden to study the report and defend himself, which makes him study the possibility to resign. He finally rejects the accusations, in great part due to the glowing report of Lt Commander Tracy Manetti, whom he placed to be his eyes and ears in the JAG. [9]
[edit] Professor Meredith Cavanaugh
Played by Isabella Hofmann. Seasons 7-9, 18 episodes.
Meredith Cavanaugh was the last romantic interest of Admiral A. J. Chegwidden in the series. They meet when she went to JAG headquarters to meet with Col. MacKenzie, but he thought she was another attempt at matchmaking from his subordinates. He later learned that Col. MacKenzie wanted to speak with her about a course she wanted her "little sister" Chloe to attend and he apologized. They bonded over their common interest for Shakespeare.[10]. They got engaged but after Meredith cheated on the Admiral he ended the engagement and her character disappeared from the show.
[edit] Mattie Grace Johnson
Played by Hallee Hirsh. Seasons 9-10, 17 episodes. "Owner" of crop dusting business who briefly employed the then un-employed Rabb, before his return to JAG following his stint with the CIA. Estranged from her alcoholic father, who was driving the night her mother died in a car accident, she became a foster daughter to Rabb until reuniting with her father. After another car accident left her possibly paralyzed for life and her father relapsed into alcoholism, the series ended with her talking to Harm while recovering in a hospital bed.
[edit] Other Recurring Characters
[edit] Stuart Dunston (ZNN Reporter)
Played by John D'Aquino. Season 6-10, 11 episodes.
A war reporter whose tendency to get into the heart of the action often got him in trouble. He also helped and hindered the main cast in various episodes, most notably when he kept Adm. Chegwidden from being courtmartialed with some info he was able to dig up.
[edit] Special Agent Vivian Blackadder, NCIS
Played by Robyn Lively. Season 8, 2 episodes.
Was in the 2 part NCIS pilot that was aired as 2 JAG episodes. She didn't continue with NCIS when it went into regular production. Was replaced by Sasha Alexander as Special Agent Caitlin Todd.
[edit] Allen Blaisdell
Played by Dan Lauria. Seasons 2-8, 5 episodes.
Harm's direct supervisor while he was attached to the CIA, an easy going guy who once flew for Air America during the 1960's and 70's, and seems to find working for the CIA well suited to his background. He very reluctantly fired Harm from the CIA after Harm was filmed by a TV crew (unbeknownst to him), which was against CIA regulations.
[edit] Dalton Lowne, Attorney at Law
Played by Larry Poindexter. Seasons 2-3, 7 episodes.
Mac's boyfriend, who convinced her to quit JAG and join his law firm. Mac ended both their professional and personal relationships when he used information from her files during a military case. He was later shot and killed when it was thought he was stalking Mac, though it was revealed that an obsessive police officer had framed him as a stalker and then murdered him.
[edit] Master Chief Petty Officer Bud Roberts, Sr., USN
Played by Jeff MacKay. Seasons 3-10, 10 episodes.
Bud and Mikey's father. Though he genuinely loved his sons, he had a sometimes strained relationship with them, due to his being sometimes abusive towards them when they were children, perhaps on account of the stress of having to raise them by himself after their mother's death. He lived alone in a trailer park and wasn't above the occasional money-making scheme, getting into trouble in one episode and having to be defended in court by Bud Jr. He came out of retirement to help train naval supply personnel for the war in Iraq.
[edit] Commander Amy Helfman, USN (JAGC)
Played by Jennifer Savidge. Seasons 6-8, 21 episodes.
Amy Helfman is a member of the JAG corps, assigned to the judiciary (as a judge), she is a fair-minded individual, who often winds up listening to Harm's legal arguments on many occasions and tries to make sure that both sides present proper arguments, and is interested in making sure that justice and truth prevail when she presides on the bench.
[edit] Lt. Commander Tracy Manetti, USN (JAGC)
Played by Tamlyn Tomita. Season 8, 7 episodes.
She was assigned to JAG by request of SecNav Edward Sheffield and she was Harm's partner for seven episodes in season eight. As it turned out, she was Sheffield's eyes and ears in the JAG and her glowing report made him reject Commander Lindsey's accusations against the JAG. She got reassigned two weeks later. [9]
[edit] Lieutenant Commander Teresa Coulter, M.D. USN
Played by Trisha Yearwood. Seasons 3-7, 7 episodes.
A Navy coroner and forensic specialist who aids JAG on several cases. She developed feelings for Rabb which, unfortunately for her, weren't returned.
[edit] Midshipman 4th Class Cameron 'Cammie' Cresswell
Played by Danneel Harris. Season 10, 2 episodes. Daughter of Major General Gordon Cresswell who had a flirtatious relationship with Mike Roberts.
[edit] Dora Cresswell
Played by Mel Harris. Season 10, 2 episodes. The wife of General Cresswell.
[edit] Lieutenant Elizabeth 'Skates' Hawkes, USN
Played by Sibel Ergener. Seasons 2-7, 8 episodes.
F-14 Radar Intercept Officer who has flown with Harmon Rabb, Jr. on more than a few occasions, and has had her life saved by Harm on more than one occasion.
[edit] Annie Pendry
Played by Daphne Ashbrook. Seasons 1-4, 5 episodes.
The wife of Harm's best friend, a pilot who died in a plane crash caused by systems error. She and Harm dated but after Harm got her son (whom she adamantly did not want to be a pilot) onto a sea cruise that was hijacked by terrorists, she broke up with him.
[edit] Renee Peterson
Played by Cindy Ambuehl. Seasons 5-8, 24 episodes.
A director of videos and documentaries who met Harm while filming a Navy recruitment commercial. She grew jealous of Harm and Mac's friendship (maybe more) and called Harmon on it. She grew frustrated by his lack of answers. Harm's refusal to commit seriously to her and the return of Renee's great love to her life spelled the peaceful end of their time together.
[edit] Albert Jethro Roberts
Played by Jake Milkovich. Seasons 5-7, 10 episodes.
Also known as "Baby AJ" by the JAG staff, the Son of Harriet and Bud Roberts. Named after A.J. Chegwidden, who delivered the baby in his office.
[edit] Captain Johnson, USN
Played by Scott Paulin. Season 8, 7 episodes.
Captain of the USS Seahawk.
[edit] CIA Deputy Director Harrison Kershaw
Played by Jameson Parker. Seasons 8-9, 4 episodes.
Hired Harm to work as a CIA pilot in Season 9 when his Navy career was (at the time) absolutely over and done with.
[edit] Chloe Madison
Played by Mae Whitman. Seasons 4-7, 8 episodes.
Mac's "little sister". She was reunited with her real father thanks to Mac and the JAG staff.
[edit] Lieutenant Gregory Vukovic, USN (JAGC)
Played by Chris Beetem. Season 10, 8 episodes.
Wise-ass young officer who joined the JAG staff later in the series and clashed with just about everyone. Did show a lot of intelligence and guile in his efforts. Had the show continued after season 10 he likely would have replaced David James Elliot (Rabb) as the series lead.
[edit] Lieutenant Alfred Aldridge, USN (JAGC)
Played by A.J. Tannen. Seasons 4-6, 8 episodes.
Seahawk JAG, assumed position from Lt. Bud Roberts.
[edit] Master Sergeant Tom Androvich, USMC
Played by Matt Sigloch. Seasons 1-10, 14 episodes.
[edit] Chief Petty Officer Ned Bannon, USN
Played by Glenn Morshower. Seasons 1-6, 5 episodes.
[edit] Colonel Clifford Blakely, USMC (JAGC)
Played by John DeMita. Seasons 6-10, 14 episodes.
[edit] Trish Burnett
Played by Christina Pickles. Seasons 3 & 6, 3 episodes.
Harm's Mother.
[edit] Captain Richard Carey, USN
Played by Richard McGonagle. Season 9, 6 episodes.
[edit] Admiral Drake, USN
Played by John Roselius. Seasons 1-7, 6 episodes.
[edit] Mark Falcon (aka Major Sokol) (Russian FSB/SVR)
Played by Rex Linn. Seasons 1-5, 6 episodes.
[edit] Lieutenant Colonel John Farrow, USMC (JAGC)
Played by Ben Murphy. Seasons 2-8, 4 episodes.
[edit] Catherine Gale, CIA (Attorney At Law)
Played by Laura Putney Season 8, 5 episodes.
[edit] Lieutenant Commander Carolyn Imes, USN (JAGC)
Played by Dana Sparks. Seasons 3-8, 9 episodes.
[edit] Captain Tobias Ingles, USN
Played by Gary Graham. Seasons 2-7, 6 episodes.
[edit] Lt. Commander Alan Mattoni, USN (JAGC)
Played by Rif Hutton. Seasons 3-6, 15 episodes.
A fellow JAG officer who commonly worked as opposing council to the main cast.
[edit] Rear Admiral Stiles Morris, USN (JAGC)
Played by Harrison Page. Seasons 3-8, 22 episodes.
[edit] Special Agent Clark Palmer
Played by Peter Murnik. Seasons 2-6, 7 episodes.
A former member of a shadowy DoD group (Defense Security Division) who became a rogue operative and Harm's bete noir, trying to kill him on numerous occasions.
[edit] Francesca Paretti
Played by Giuliana Santini. Season 4, 4 episodes.
Admiral Chegwidden's daughter. She spends time in Italy as a fashion writer, but has had run-ins with Harm on occasion.
[edit] Lt. Commander Jordan 'Jordi' Parker, M.D. USN
Played by Susan Haskell. Jordan saw Mac as a threat. She broke up with Harm for returning to flying. Seasons 3-6, 8 episodes.
[edit] Captain 'Skipper' Ross, USN
Played by Bill Bolender. Seasons 1-4, 5 episodes.
[edit] Captain Owen Sebring, USN (JAGC)
Played by Corbin Bernsen. Seasons 5-9, 8 episodes.
[edit] Danny Walden
Played by Sean Murray. Seasons 3-6, 6 episodes.
[edit] Dr. Sydney Walden, M.D.
Played by Cynthia Sikes. Seasons 5-6, 8 episodes.
Love interest of Admiral A.J. Chegwidden. She had a grown-up son, Danny Walden. Broke up with Chegwidden following Danny's illicit use of the Admiral's car.
[edit] Mrs. Porter Webb (National Security Agency, retired)
Played by Claudette Nevins. Seasons 2-9, 6 episodes.
Mother of CIA Agent Clayton Webb.
[edit] CPO Jeb Stuart Wildins, USN
Played by Guy Garner. Season 2, 5 episodes.
[edit] References
- ^ "Answered Prayers". JAG. No. 11, season 7.
- ^ "First Casualty". JAG. No. 19, season 7.
- ^ a b "Fortunate Son". JAG. No. 18, season 8.
- ^ "Meltdown". JAG. No. 21, season 8.
- ^ a b "People v. Gunny". JAG. No. 12, season 5.
- ^ "In Country". JAG. No. 23, season 7.
- ^ "Ice Queen". JAG. No. 21, season 8.
- ^ "The Mission". JAG. No. 16, season 7.
- ^ a b c "Second Acts". JAG. No. 19, season 8.
- ^ "Exculpatory Evidence". JAG. No. 17, season 7.
