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.
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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
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.
African-american? Dude is OBVIOUSLY Baltic.
I see they took out African American–glad to see the writers pay attention to readers. And to Eric, I think saying “you people” in this situation is a bit inappropriate.
Ok, enough with the ethnicity crap, you make a bigger deal if you keep talking about it. It was just a point. Period.
Now, about the show, Gary D (Warrick)’s character is actually one of the most interesting ones and him leaving deals a huge blow to the show. They’re still trying to find a replacement for Sarah’s character so now I guess they’ll need 2 now. And the day Billy Petersen leaves, that will be the end of the show. He IS CSI (save the puns here)…
First of all, his ethnicity was not there to describe him. It was a totally separate issue of how many African-Americans there are starring on network television. As an African-American I don’t see anything wrong with the article. If you want to be called a Scottish-American that’s great. Personally, I like being known as African-American because it reminds me of the struggle of my anonymous ancestors. Sorry if that bothers you. Actually, I’m not that sorry.
he’s a stunning looking actor, he should take pursue films, and other projects, he must be ready to move on. I’d tell the same thing to George Eads… and Marg Helenberger, all quality actors, all should be doing other things by now.
Oh why does it always have to be about black and white. The reference to his race is that a reference to the fact that “there is a hand-full”. I read it more to the point that with him leaving there will be less African Americans in primary rolls in TV.
Actually, Gary is NOT African-American, he’s TAUPE…
I’ll miss him, probably more than I’ve missed Jorja’s character. But with William Peterson cutting his appearances, they might as well end the show. I’ve loved it since the beginning. I hope they can work it out to rotate these characters we’ve come to love – not let them leave completely…
CSI is a great show and still the best of the trio, but it’s starting to show the TV equivalent of old age, which is when it starts hemorraging original cast members. With Fox and Dourdan gone and Petersen (who IS the show) clearly phasing himself out (note he only signed for one more year). I don’t know how much longer this show has. All we now is for Helgenberger to announce her departure and the show will pretty much be done.
Gee and here I have been color blind the entire time the series was on. Gary is AA? I must be going deaf like whats his name on the show. Never heard it mentioned.
Was he born in Africa? No. Then he’s an American.
Please people…read the statement. Quote: “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.”
How can that statement be made without stating his that he is African-American? It isn’t stated in the lead in, identifying the who and what of the story. It was stated to make a point about the dwindling numbers of African-American men in key roles in television. This is not a racially motivated piece, for heaven’s sake!
It is too bad cause Warrick is a cool, cool cat and we do not have enough cool characters on tv anymore.
Definitely Taupe, a sweet, Baltic Taupe. Everything in the world is based on Black and White? Wow, you can’t even write an article about a man because of the fear he may be Black and you have to mention it. First off, you can count the number of blacks in a leading role on television and film on one hand. Especially, for that Black American to have an important role that does not involve selling drugs, murdering, stealing, etc criminal activities. Although his character has had trouble in the past, his career, his stature is important in the entertainment business, especially to Black viewers. Not every Black is stereotypically a drug dealer, a loud mouth, attitude “ghetto” shake dancer, a gangsta, a comedian or a rapper. I watch shows like House, the CSI’s and Law & Orders for the main reason that they have Black Americans portrayed in real life jobs that was helpful and prominent.
So if you have a problem with a reporter saying that the actor is Black, you have bigger issues.
I’m sorry they didn’t do more with his role. For a while there, it seemed like he and Catherine might develop something, but his screen marriage came out of left field and went nowhere.