That was "NCIS" star Pauley Perrette playing Beth in "The Ring," with her hair and makeup toned down a little compared to what she wears in the series.

Though she's certainly better known for her TV work, Perrette has occasionally branched out onto the big screen over the course of her 13-year career.

The 2002 horror hit "The Ring" is certainly one of the most notable examples, though he role was a small one. She played Beth, an assistant at the video lab where they bring the cursed video that is the catalyst for the plot.

Her other notable film role was in the cult classic 2000 film "Almost Famous," playing DJ Alice Wisdom, who's interviewing legendary rock critic Lester Bangs (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, who Perrette says is her favorite actor) when the film's main character meets him. Her character was reportedly based on real-life DJ Gabriel Wisdom.

But both were before she the launch of "NCIS," which premiered in 2003.

Perrette got in on that series on the ground floor, even appearing in the two "JAG" episodes that served as a back-door pilot for "NCIS."

She returned the favor in spades six years later. Not only did she appear as usual on "NCIS" in the two episodes that launched its own spinoff, "NCIS: Los Angeles," but she did a few guest spots on that series last year, partway through its inaugural season.

Before either the films or the "NCIS" series though, she got her break with a regular role on the second, final season of the Steven Bochco series "Murder One" from 1996 to 1997. Sadly it was a short-lived series for Bochco, who had previously produced such hits as "Hill Street Blues" and "NYPD Blue."

Have a question? E-mail us at questions@tvtabloid.com. Please include your name and town. Personal replies will not be provided.