Jason Antoon shares a unique bond with his NCIS: Hawai’i castmates, but his connection with Vanessa Lachey runs especially deep.
Antoon revealed exclusively to Us Weekly that he and Vanessa, along with her husband Nick Lachey, share the same birthday on November 9th. This uncanny coincidence often leads to joint celebrations on set, complete with a big cake brought out by the showrunners.
The tech guru, who portrays Ernie Malik on the CBS series, recounted how his friendship with Vanessa began at a party she hosted in Encino, California, to celebrate their new roles. Bringing his kids along, Antoon instantly clicked with Vanessa, noting that she and Nick are excellent hosts known for throwing memorable parties.
The camaraderie extends throughout the NCIS: Hawai’i family, thanks in part to what Antoon describes as a “no asshole” policy enforced by the showrunner. This sense of ohana, or family, is one of the aspects Antoon enjoys most about playing Ernie, particularly his role as a supportive figure to characters Lucy Tara and Kate Whistler.
Having experienced crossover episodes with the flagship NCIS series, Antoon is hopeful for more joint episodes in the future, likening it to the Marvel universe and expressing optimism for further collaborations if NCIS: Hawai’i is renewed for a fourth season.