You probably know him as the tech-savvy, slightly-anxious-turned-badass Special Agent Timothy McGee. Or maybe you're of a certain vintage and remember a teenager with floppy 90s hair being turned into a black cat by three witches in Salem. Either way, Sean Murray has been a fixture on our screens for over three decades, which is a wild stat when you think about how many actors flame out after five years.
He isn’t just a "procedural guy."
Honestly, the career path from a 1991 TV movie with Roseanne Barr to becoming the longest-tenured lead on NCIS is a bizarre and fascinating journey. He's survived cast shakeups, character evolutions, and even the weirdest voice-dubbing controversy in Disney history.
The Hocus Pocus Voice Mystery Everyone Gets Wrong
Let’s clear this up first because it’s the thing that keeps fans up at night. In 1993, Murray played Thackery Binx in Hocus Pocus. He looks the part—the colonial vest, the soulful eyes, the 1600s despair. But if you listen closely, that isn't his voice.
Basically, the producers felt his natural voice sounded "too contemporary" for a kid from the 17th century. They brought in Jason Marsden—famous for voicing Max Goof—to dub over Murray’s lines. Even when Binx is a human at the end of the movie, it’s still Marsden’s voice coming out of Murray’s mouth.
It's kinda jarring once you know.
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Murray has talked about this in interviews, and there’s no bad blood. It was just a creative call. He still got the Young Artist Award nomination for the role, and let's be real, the "cat version" of Binx is a legend anyway.
Before the Badge: The Formative 90s
Before he was McGee, Murray was a workhorse in the TV movie circuit. You’ve likely missed some of these gems if you aren't a deep-diver.
- This Boy’s Life (1993): Imagine being a teenager and sharing a set with Robert De Niro and a young Leonardo DiCaprio. Murray played Jimmy Voorhees in this gritty drama.
- Harts of the West (1993-1994): This was a short-lived but beloved CBS Western comedy-drama. He played Zane Grey Hart, working alongside Beau Bridges and Lloyd Bridges.
- The Lottery (1996): This was a TV movie adaptation of the Shirley Jackson story. If you’ve read the book in high school, you know how dark it is. Murray played Henry Watkins, and honestly, seeing him in a dystopian setting before the Hunger Games era is pretty cool.
He also popped up in ER, Silk Stalkings, and Touched by an Angel. Typical 90s actor starter pack stuff.
The JAG Connection and the Birth of McGee
Here’s where it gets interesting for the trivia buffs. Murray didn't just stumble into NCIS. He actually appeared in the parent show, JAG, as a completely different character.
In JAG, he played Danny Walden, the son of Admiral Chegwidden’s girlfriend. He was a bit of a troubled kid, which is the polar opposite of the "Probie" we met in NCIS Season 1.
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When he first showed up in the NCIS episode "Sub Rosa," he wasn't even supposed to be a series regular. He was just a guy on a submarine. But the chemistry with Mark Harmon and the rest of the MCRT was so obvious that they kept bringing him back. By Season 2, he was a permanent fixture.
Why the Sean Murray Filmography Matters in 2026
As of early 2026, NCIS is still chugging along into Season 23. It’s a juggernaut.
Murray is now the "senior" statesman of the field office. Watching him evolve from the bullied "Probie" who did Gibbs’ coffee runs to the Deputy Director-level agent he is now has been one of the most rewarding character arcs in TV history.
He’s stayed with the show through the exits of Mark Harmon, Pauley Perrette, and Michael Weatherly. That kind of loyalty is rare. It’s also lucrative—reports consistently put his salary around $300,000 per episode, which translates to roughly $7 million a season. Not bad for a guy who started out as a "human cat."
Notable Sean Murray Movies and TV Shows (The Essentials)
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Hocus Pocus | Thackery Binx |
| 1993 | This Boy's Life | Jimmy Voorhees |
| 1993-1994 | Harts of the West | Zane Grey Hart |
| 1996 | The Lottery | Henry Watkins |
| 1998-2001 | JAG | Danny Walden / Ensign Guitry |
| 2003-Present | NCIS | Timothy McGee |
The "Family Business" Factor
It’s no secret that Murray is part of a massive TV dynasty. His stepfather is Donald P. Bellisario, the creator of JAG, NCIS, and Magnum P.I. But don't call it simple nepotism.
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You don't survive 20+ years on a hit show just because your stepdad created it. You have to be able to act. Plus, his stepsister is Troian Bellisario of Pretty Little Liars fame. Talent clearly runs in that house. Murray has always been vocal about the "Bellisario work ethic," which involves long hours and a focus on procedural accuracy.
What’s Next for Sean Murray?
With NCIS Season 23 currently airing in early 2026, there’s constant chatter about when the show will finally take its final bow. Murray seems content. He’s often said that as long as the writers give McGee interesting things to do—like dealing with the complexities of being a father and a high-ranking agent—he’s in.
If you’re looking to catch up on his work, start with the early "Probie" years of NCIS to see the physical and emotional transformation. Then, go back and watch Hocus Pocus with the knowledge that it's Jason Marsden's voice. It changes the whole vibe.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Streaming: Most of Murray’s early TV movies are currently available on platforms like Paramount+ or can be found on digital rental stores.
- Convention Circuit: Murray has become a regular at fan conventions; if you're looking for an autograph, check the 2026 schedule for major East Coast comic-cons.
- NCIS Rewatch: Focus on Season 2, Episode 21 ("Hometown Hero") to see one of the first times McGee really has to step up and lead, showing the actor's range beyond just being the "tech guy."