Reel-life romance: “I’m playing an actor in high-profile relationship,” says Weatherly of Wagner, the ’50s screen idol twice wed to Wood. “I had a taste of myself, and it wasn’t a taste I liked a lot.” When Weatherly got engaged in 2001 to his Dark Angel costar Jessica Alba, “everyone was shocked at the 12-year age difference.” Though they broke up last August, he adds, “she’s one of my closest friends.”
Young gun: His regular gig as Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo on CBS’ Navy NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) “is the coolest”, says Weatherly, who has a son, August, 8, with his ex-wife, All My Children’s Amelia Heinle. “There was a part of me that wanted to work for the CIA or the Secret Service when I was 13.” Between takes, he acts, that age too: “If you’re in bad mood, he’ll pretend he’s dog or do a monkey impression,” says costar Sasha Alexander. “You can’t help but laugh.”