Exclusive: Jason Antoon Shares Insight on Meeting 'NCIS: Hawai'i' Co-Star Vanessa Lachey and the Cast's Bond
'NCIS: Hawai'i' actor Jason Antoon opens up about his initial encounter with co-star Vanessa Lachey and the strong bond within the cast. Dive into the exclusive details of their connection and the 'No Asshole' policy on set.
Jason Antoon Reveals How He Met NCIS Hawai i Costar Vanessa Lachey Details No Asshole Policy 775
Jason Antoon, Vanessa Lachey. Robert Voets/CBS
Jason Antoon quickly formed a strong connection with all his NCIS: Hawai’i castmates, but his bond with Vanessa Lachey stands out as special.
Antoon, 52, revealed exclusively to We that he shares a unique connection with Vanessa and her husband, Nick Lachey - they all have the same birthday. "Vanessa and her husband, Nick, we share the same birthday," Antoon said. "We're November 9th. It's the weirdest thing. The three of us have the same exact birthday."
He shared that when their shared birthday coincides with a filming day in Hawaii, they usually mark the occasion with special treats.
According to Antoon, the producers will present a large cake, Nick will make an appearance, they will sing together, and eventually everyone will enjoy a slice of the cake.
Antoon, who plays tech guru Ernie Malik on the CBS series, said that his connection with Vanessa, who plays Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant, also began during a party.
Jason Antoon Reveals How He Met NCIS Hawai i Costar Vanessa Lachey Details No Asshole Policy 774
Antoon remembered how Karen Neal invited him to a luau party at her house in Encino, California when they both got new jobs. She reached out to him through Twitter or Instagram, saying, "Come over, I'm throwing a party. I want to meet you."
The actor took his kids to the “big blowout” and quickly connected with Vanessa, who is 43 years old. He mentioned that she and the 98 Degrees singer, who is 50 years old, “throw amazing parties.”
Antoon recalled a moment of immediate connection with his fellow “crazy Scorpio” counterpart.
The entire NCIS: Hawai’i family shares a strong bond, as mentioned by Antoon. He mentioned to Us that everyone gets along well. The show has a policy of no negativity, which creates a positive environment for everyone involved in the show. It truly makes a difference when working on a show.
Jason Antoon Reveals How He Met NCIS Hawai i Costar Vanessa Lachey Details No Asshole Policy 776
CBS
The feeling of ohana, which means family in Hawaiian, is one of the biggest reasons Antoon enjoys playing Ernie.
He's like a combination of a brother and a father to Lucy and Whistler, which is my favorite thing about him," he mentioned, talking about characters Lucy Tara and Kate Whistler.
He also mentioned that he enjoys being an older brother figure and delving into their personal lives, mentioning how he appreciates extracting information from them.
Antoon discovered that the friendships among the cast members of Hawai’i are similar to those on other spinoff shows after participating in a few crossover episodes with the flagship NCIS series. This closeness has left Antoon optimistic about the possibility of more joint episodes with other franchises if Hawai’i is renewed for season 4.
Looking ahead, Antoon expressed his belief that CBS is in favor of future crossovers, citing the success of previous collaborations with L.A. and the regular NCIS series. He likened the idea of cross-franchise episodes to the Marvel universe, emphasizing the excitement and potential for creativity in exploring these connections.
NCIS: Hawai’i airs on CBS Mondays at 10 p.m. ET.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the special bond shared between Jason Antoon, Vanessa Lachey, and her husband, Nick Lachey. All three individuals share the same birthdate, November 9th, which has led to unique celebrations on set. Antoon shares that when their birthday coincides with a filming day, they indulge in a special cake and festivities, emphasizing the camaraderie and joyful spirit within the "NCIS: Hawai'i" cast.
Antoon also reflects on the overall positive atmosphere on set, attributed to the show's policy of no negativity. The shared sense of "ohana" or family among the cast members extends beyond the screen, creating a supportive and enjoyable work environment. Antoon expresses his appreciation for the close friendships formed on the show and his eagerness for potential crossover episodes with other "NCIS" franchises, drawing parallels to the interconnectedness of the Marvel universe. These crossovers offer exciting opportunities for creative storytelling and further exploration of character dynamics.
