Gary Dourdan, the smoldering actor who plays investigator Warrick Brown on CSI, has decided to leave the eight-year-old drama. According to an insider, the decision was a mutual one made by the actor and CBS/Paramount, the studio that produces the procedural drama for CBS. CBS/Paramount would not confirm the date of Dourdan’s last episode, though it will likely occur in the next month since the actor’s contract expires this season. The insider says there’s a chance that Dourdan, one of a handful of African-American men in leading, primetime roles, will reprise his role with occasional guest appearances in coming seasons.
Dourdan’s decision to leave the show comes on the heels of Jorja Fox‘s much ballyhooed departure from the series late last year. The actress told EW then that she would like to return to the series someday, though not in a full-time capacity. Meanwhile, star Billy Petersen just re-upped his CSI deal for one more season, but for a limited amount of episodes so he can do other projects.
More on Dourdan and CSI:
Why is it necessary for this article to point out that Dourdan is African-American? There’s a picture of him right there in case anyone doesn’t know the actor by name. The article makes no mention of Jorja Fox’s or Billy Peterson’s ethnicity. Why can’t he just be the “smoldering actor who plays investigator Warrick Brown…”?
It seems like the African American presence on television is just non-existent anymore. What a disappointment. I really enjoy CSI, but this is just such a let down.
Well, Bill, there are still a few people that read news online without images – in an attempt to save bandwidth to mobile devices and such – and who do not memorize the cast of shows they’ve seen. Thus, mentioning that he is “African-American” will help them identify who, on the cast, they’re talking about. Personally, I don’t get the whole “African-American” thing. I don’t list myself as “Scottish-American”, or my friend as “Swedish-American”, just because my ancestors originated there…
Thank you for pointing out that he is African American. I have been a big fan of this show and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was African American. I swear I thought he was Sweedish or perhaps from Northern Ireland. Then I was getting a Baltic vibe from him. He seems very Baltic to me. Don’t you get that Baltic vibe? Because I sure get this Baltic vibe. This smoldering Baltic vibe.
Thank god youi said African American actor instead of just actor. That distinction helps me out because this Baltic vibe thing is just driving me crazy.
Baltic vibe.
If the reference to Dourdan’s ethnicity was to accommodate those who read their news minus photos, then the ethnicity of the other actors in the story should also have been mentioned. Dourdan is an American actor…what else NEEDS to be said?
lighten up Bill A. It’s people like you who always make sand into mountains
Yh but there was no need to say african american
lighten up Bill A. It’s people like you who always make sand into mountains
lighten up Bill A. It’s people like you who always make sand into mountains
Gary is African-American?????? I thought he had that Baltic vibe too Wayne.
First Jorja Fox and now Gary? Very sad I love the entire cats of CSI. I am hoping both he and Jorja Fox can do guest spots on the show from time to time. I hope William Peterson doesn’t leave the show
Bill A.? Cry another river you moron. Aren’t you a proud citizen of the United States of the Offended. Sheesh get a life!
OK, why assume that because he’s black that he is African American? That’s a curious American-centric jump in logic. He could just as well be a Carribean American.
I thought that was weird too–they never say, “the hot white guy on the series”–why does he have to be defined totally by his ethnicity in this article? Unless they were pointing out that he’s the only black cast member, therefore outlining the lack of people of color in network tv, specifically long running, successful shows…weird.
Holy @*$! I think everybody needs to chill just a little. Ya, it is moronic to mention his race, but who really cares…is it incorrect? Is it offensive to call him what he is? Maybe the author just has a thing for black guys and had a slip…you people need some new things to worry about.
“Dourdan, one of a handful of African-American men in leading, primetime roles…” His ethnicity was stated to prove the point that he’s one of a very FEW African-American actors in a LEADING role. And now, that number is fewer by ONE.