NCIS Mainstay Rocky Carroll's First Big Break Was On This Underrated '90s Sitcom
Most audiences recognize Rocky Carroll as Director Leon Vance on NCIS, but he might not have landed the procedural role if not for this Fox sitcom.
Rocky Carroll, the renowned actor known for his role as Dr. Keith Wilkes in the long-running medical drama Chicago Hope, started his acting career on an underrated 1990s sitcom called Roc. This Fox comedy centered around a garbage man, Charles "Roc" Emerson, and his nurse wife, which was played by Charles S. Dutton and Ella Joyce, respectively. Carroll portrayed Joey, Roc's brother, in a series of four core cast members.
Despite primarily positive reviews from critics, Roc struggled with ratings during its first season. The network decided to rectify this issue by airing a live episode titled "The Hand That Rocs the Cradle" in the latter half of the season. This experiment was a success, featuring guest appearances by Debbi Morgan and Tommy Davidson, which boosted the show's popularity.
The show's subsequent success can be attributed to the seasoned actors' expertise in live theater, as they had all previously worked together with playwright August Wilson. These established cast members — including Carroll, Charles S. Dutton, Ella Joyce, and Carl Gordon — were well-equipped for a live season. Nevertheless, despite these efforts, Roc never achieved significant ratings success, leading to its cancellation after three seasons in 1994.
Just two years later, Rocky Carroll embarked on a four-season journey as Dr. Keith Wilkes in the CBS medical drama Chicago Hope. This role laid the groundwork for his iconic portrayal of NCIS director, Leon Vance.
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