Billy Dee Williams to Guest Star on NCIS as ...

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How did NCIS' Leroy Jethro Gibbs get his somewhat unusual name?

This season, Billy Dee Williams might help shed more light on that.

TV Guide's Will Keck reports that the 75-year-old actor best known for the Star Wars franchise will guest star as another Leroy Jethro, the man Mark Harmon's beloved character was named after.

In an October episode, Williams will play LJ, a World War II veteran and close friend of the Gibbs family. Ralph Waite will also reprise his role as Gibbs' father that week.

Gibbs Pic

"This is a very rich, emotional story and we couldn't be happier to have Billy Dee Williams bringing this character to life," executive producer and show-runner Gary Glasberg said of the casting.

"Mr. Williams appeared in some of my favorite films from Lady Sings the Blues and Brian's Song to the Star Wars saga. Watching him work with Mark Harmon and Ralph Waite will be a real treat."

Should be a great episode with those three actors together, don't you think? What do you suppose brings Gibbs' father back into the mix in NCIS Season 10, along with their old friend?

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.

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NCIS Quotes

Bishop: Seriously? How'd you get that?
Tony: Well, it's like Gorillas in the Midst. You'll get to understand his grunts.

Torres: When I break out the glass, maybe I can rip out the bars.
Bishop: With what? Your superhuman strength?