Caleb Foote is one of those "wait, I know that guy" actors who has been quietly building a resume that rivals some of the biggest names in Hollywood. If you’ve been watching NCIS: Origins lately, you’ve probably seen him playing Special Agent Bernard "Randy" Randolf. He’s the golden boy of the Camp Pendleton office, the guy who seems like he’s got it all figured out, but there’s way more to his career than just the CBS procedural machine.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how many massive hits he’s popped up in without people putting two and two together. From Ryan Murphy’s twisted universes to quirky 1970s family sitcoms, the dude has range.
That Breakout Role in The Kids Are Alright
If you missed the short-lived but brilliant ABC sitcom The Kids Are Alright, you missed Caleb’s first real chance to lead a cast. He played Eddie Cleary, the second-oldest son in a massive Irish-Catholic family in 1972.
Eddie was the lovable, slightly dim-witted brother who was constantly trying to find his footing amidst the chaos of eight boys living under one roof. It was a physical comedy masterclass. He had this way of making Eddie feel earnest and goofy without ever becoming a caricature. Most fans of the show still talk about the chemistry he had with Mary McCormack and Michael Cudlitz. It’s a shame the show only lasted one season, but it basically acted as his "I've arrived" card in the industry.
Diving into the Ryan Murphy Verse
Before he was a 70s sitcom brother, Caleb was getting weird in some of the most acclaimed prestige TV of the late 2010s. He’s one of the few actors who can say they’ve done both American Horror Story and American Crime Story.
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- American Horror Story: Cult: He played a character charmingly named "Pus Bucket." It wasn’t a huge role, but if you can survive the Ryan Murphy hazing ritual of playing a character with a name like that, you can do anything.
- The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story: He played Eli, appearing in a couple of episodes. This was a much more grounded, somber project than AHS, and it showed he could handle the weight of a serious, Emmy-winning drama.
Made for Love and the "Oddball" Specialist
In 2021, Caleb joined the cast of the HBO Max (now just Max) dark comedy Made for Love. He played Bennett Hobbes, the perennially chipper and somewhat unsettling executive assistant to Billy Magnussen’s Byron Gogol.
Bennett was... weird. He was the kind of guy who would do anything with a smile, whether it was fetching "flavor balls" or monitoring emotional data. Foote was so good in the first season that they bumped him up to a series regular for the second. He has this specific ability to play "aggressively friendly" in a way that feels just a little bit dangerous. It’s a subtle skill that makes him perfect for high-concept sci-fi or dark satire.
The NCIS: Origins Era
Fast forward to right now, and he’s a staple of the NCIS: Origins cast. Playing Randy Randolf is a pivot back to more traditional television, but with a period-piece twist. Since the show is set in 1991, he gets to lean into that retro vibe he started with The Kids Are Alright.
Randy is the "Probie" before Gibbs was a legend. He’s the guy who follows the rules, keeps his shoes shined, and provides a sharp contrast to the more rugged, rule-breaking vibe of the other agents. It’s a steady gig, and it’s the one that is finally making him a household name for the "mainstream" TV audience.
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Notable Guest Spots You Probably Forgot
Beyond the big series regular roles, Caleb’s filmography is littered with "one-and-done" performances in some of the biggest shows on air. If you're a procedural junkie, you've definitely seen him.
- Grey’s Anatomy: He had a tiny role as "Private #1" back in 2017. Everyone starts somewhere, right?
- 9-1-1: He played Officer Andrew Martin in the episode "Rage."
- Magnum P.I.: He showed up in the second season as a character named Dylan.
- NCIS: Los Angeles: Before joining the Origins prequel, he actually appeared in the original LA spinoff as Sean Reynolds.
Why He’s Not Just Another "TV Actor"
What most people get wrong about Caleb Foote is thinking he’s just a "television guy." His background is actually deeply rooted in theater. He’s a University of Michigan BFA grad (Class of 2016) and won a Craig Noel Award for his performance in Hand to God.
If you aren't familiar with that play, it involves a guy whose hand puppet might be possessed by the devil. It requires incredible physical control and the ability to play two characters at once. That stage training is why he’s so good at the subtle facial expressions you see in NCIS or the over-the-top energy in Made for Love.
Caleb Foote Movies: What’s on the Big Screen?
Admittedly, Caleb has spent most of his time on the small screen. His film credits are currently a bit more lean than his TV resume. He’s done several shorts and independent projects like S is for Revenge and Amy and Peter Are Getting Divorced.
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However, as his profile rises with NCIS: Origins, the jump to major feature films is usually the next logical step. Most actors with his level of "chameleon" ability eventually land those supporting roles in mid-budget thrillers or A24-style dramedies.
How to Follow His Work
If you want to catch up on the best of Caleb Foote, here is the roadmap:
- For Comedy: Watch The Kids Are Alright. It’s a hidden gem that deserved ten seasons.
- For Weirdness: Check out Made for Love on Max. Bennett Hobbes is a trip.
- For Drama: Watch his episodes of American Crime Story: Versace.
- For the Current Hype: Tune into NCIS: Origins on CBS/Paramount+.
Start with The Kids Are Alright if you want to see his range; it’s the most "human" performance of his career so far and shows exactly why he keeps getting booked in major network roles.