Mark Harmon

Mark Harmon Headshot

Actor

Birth Date: September 2, 1951

Age: 72 years old

Birth Place: Burbank, California

Spouses: Pam Dawber

Parents: Elyse Knox, Tom Harmon

Children: Sean Harmon

Siblings: Kristin Nelson

A dependable presence on television and in the occasional feature for decades, actor-producer Mark Harmon broke free of roles that hinged on his all-American looks and appeal and displayed a talent for complex men, ranging from a doctor with HIV on "St. Elsewhere" (NBC, 1982-88), serial killer Ted Bundy in "The Deliberate Stranger" (NBC, 1986) and his long-running turn as no-nonsense Special Agent Gibbs on "NCIS" (CBS, 2003- ). Born Thomas Mark Harmon on September 2, 1951 in Burbank, California, he was the son of college football great Tom Harmon and his wife, actress Elyse Knox, and for a time, it appeared that Harmon would follow in his father's footsteps and establish a career in sports. After graduating from high school at the Harvard-Westlake School, he played football for both Pierce College and UCLA, and helped the Bruins net a 17-5 record during his two years as quarterback. During this period, Harmon also began making sporadic appearances on television through his family connections: he shared the screen with his dad in a commercial for Kellogg's Product 19, and made his acting debut in an episode of "Ozzie's Girls" (syndicated, 1972-74), a comedy starring Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, at the behest of their son, pop singer Ricky Nelson, who was engaged to Harmon's sister, Kristen. But Harmon initially resisted a career in acting, focusing at first on law and later in advertising. Neither proved satisfying, and Harmon turned to actor/producer Jack Webb for advice. The "Dragnet" (NBC/Syndicated, 1951-59, 1967-1970) producer cast him in minor roles on several of his television projects, including "Emergency!" (NBC, 1972-77), which led to more work, albeit largely in ornamental roles, until 1977, when his turn as an amputee soldier in the TV-movie "Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years" (ABC, 1977) earned him an Emmy nomination. The acclaim led to appearances in feature films, most notably "Comes a Horseman" (1978) and "Beyond the Poseidon Adventure" (1979) and plentiful television work. He enjoyed featured roles in major miniseries like "Centennial" (NBC, 1978-79), but achieved lasting stardom on the primetime soap "Flamingo Road " (NBC, 1980-82). As a small town deputy turned senator, Harmon was entangled with most of the female cast, including top-billed Morgan Fairchild, which minted him as a favored TV heartthrob. Eager to shed such a screen image, Harmon joined the cast of "St. Elsewhere" as playboy plastic surgeon Robert Caldwell. In a primetime television first, Caldwell's promiscuous nature led to him contracting the HIV virus, and the praise afforded to Harmon's performance allowed him to step outside of the "handsome leading man" field and explore more in-depth character roles. In this regard, he proved remarkably successful: he earned Golden Globes for his terrifying portrayal of serial killer Ted Bundy in "The Deliberate Stranger" and a Depression-Era carpenter struggling to retrieve his sons from foster care in "After the Promise" (CBS, 1987), and earned praise for turns opposite Elizabeth Taylor in a TV-movie version of "Sweet Bird of Youth" (NBC, 1989), as a potentially lethal father figure in a remake of "Shadow of a Doubt" (CBS, 1991) and as gangster John Dillinger in "Dillinger" (ABC, 1991), His success on the small screen naturally led to film opportunities, including Carl Reiner's broad comedy "Summer School" (1986), the thriller "The Presidio" (1988) with Sean Connery and a character turn as a faded baseball player in "Stealing Home" (1988). These efforts received only modest acclaim, and Harmon would soon return to television, first as a by-the-books detective forced to work with a hearing-impaired assistant district attorney on "Reasonable Doubts" (NBC, 1991-93). Though a critical favorite which earned Harmon his third and fourth Golden Globe nomination, the series proved short-lived, as did its follow-up, "Charlie Grace" (ABC, 1995). Harmon would spend the tail end of the '90s bouncing between occasional film appearances ("Wyatt Earp," 1994), guest turns on series - he played astronaut Wally Schirra on "From the Earth to the Moon" (HBO, 1998) - and TV-movies before returning to series work on "Chicago Hope" (CBS, 1996- 2000). When the series ran its course in 2000, Harmon enjoyed a four-episode arc as a Secret Service agent who became involved with press secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney). Harmon earned his second Emmy nomination for the steely role, which inspired producer Donald P. Bellisario to cast him as the flinty NCIS agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs on "NCIS." The series became a runaway hit for the Tiffany Network and something of a cottage industry for Harmon, who began serving as producer for the series in 2008 and for its spin-off, "NCIS: New Orleans" (CBS, 2014- ) in 2014.

Credits

NCIS: Origins

Executive Producer
Show
2024

NCIS: Origins

Narrator
Show
2024

CBS Mornings

Guest
News
2021

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2019

Seize and Secure: The Battle for La Fiere

Narrator
Show
2019

Stand Up to Cancer

Guest
Show
2018

All or Nothing: The Michigan Wolverines

Narrator
Show
2018

Daily Blast Live

Guest
Show
2017

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

Guest
Talk
2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Guest
Talk
2015

The Late Late Show

Guest
Show
2015

NCIS: New OrleansStream

Executive Producer
Series
2014

NCIS: New OrleansStream

Guest Star
Series
2014

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

The Arsenio Hall Show

Guest
Show
2013

Steve Harvey

Guest
Talk
2012

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Guest
Talk
2012

Larry King NowStream

Guest
Talk
2012

CBS This Morning

Guest
Show
2012

John Sandford's Certain Prey

Actor
Lucas Davenport
Movie
2011

John Sandford's Certain Prey

Executive Producer
Movie
2011

The Talk

Guest
Talk
2010

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths

Voice
Superman
Movie
2010

Lopez Tonight

Guest
Show
2009

The Jay Leno Show

Guest
Show
2009

Weather Girl

Actor
Dale
Movie
2009

The Bonnie Hunt Show

Guest
Talk
2008

Entertainment Tonight Canada

Guest
Show
2005

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
Talk
2005

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

Chasing Liberty

Actor
President James Foster
Movie
2004

NCISStream

Actor
NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Series
2003

NCISStream

Executive Producer
Series
2003

NCISStream

Guest Star
NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Series
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

Freaky FridayStream

Actor
Ryan
Movie
2003
88%

Local Boys

Actor
Jim Wesley
Movie
2002

And Never Let Her Go

Actor
Thomas Capano
Show
2001

Live With Regis and Kelly

Guest
Show
2001

The Amati Girls

Actor
Lawrence
Movie
2001

Crossfire TrailStream

Actor
Bruce Barkow
Movie
2001
40%

Magiczny zegar

Actor
Movie
2000

I'll Remember April

Actor
John Cooper
Movie
2000

For All Time

Actor
Charles Lattimer
Movie
2000

The Early Show

Guest
Show
1999

The West WingStream

Guest Star
Agent Simon Donovan
Series
1999
81%

Family Guy

Guest Voice
Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Show
1999

Family GuyStream

Guest Voice
Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Series
1999

The Daily Show With Jon StewartStream

Guest
Talk
1999

From the Earth to the MoonStream

Actor
Wally Schirra
Miniseries
1998

Fear and Loathing in Las VegasStream

Actor
Magazine Reporter at Mint 400
Movie
1998
50%

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

Casualties

Actor
Tommy Nance
Movie
1997

The First to Go

Actor
Jeremy Hampton
Movie
1997

JAGStream

Guest Star
Series
1995

Charlie Grace

Actor
Show
1995

Original Sins

Actor
Johnathan Frayne
Movie
1995

Magic in the Water

Actor
Jack Black
Movie
1995

The Last Supper

Actor
Dominant Male
Movie
1995

Chicago Hope

Actor
Dr. Jack McNeil
Series
1994

Chicago Hope

Director
Series
1994

Extra

Guest
News
1994

Wyatt EarpStream

Actor
Sheriff Johnny Behan
Movie
1994
31%

Late Show With David Letterman

Guest
Talk
1993

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Guest
Talk
1992

Cold Heaven

Actor
Alex Davenport
Movie
1992

Reasonable Doubts

Actor
Detective Ricky Cobb
Series
1991
50%

La Sombra de la Duda

Actor
Movie
1991

Apariencia Peligrosa

Actor
Movie
1991

Deadly Identity

Actor
David Shepard
Movie
1991

Fourth Floor

Actor
Movie
1991

Fourth Story

Actor
David Shepard
Movie
1991

Dillinger

Actor
John Dillinger
Movie
1991

Long Road Home

Actor
Movie
1991

Shadow of a Doubt

Actor
Charles
Movie
1991

Till There Was You

Actor
Frank Flynn
Movie
1991

Sweet Bird of Youth

Actor
Chance Wayne
Movie
1989

Worth WinningStream

Actor
Taylor Worth
Movie
1989
0%

The PresidioStream

Actor
Jay Austin
Movie
1988
39%

Stealing Home

Actor
Billy Wyatt
Movie
1988

Summer SchoolStream

Actor
Mr. Freddy Shoop
Movie
1987
57%

After the Promise

Actor
Elmer Jackson
Movie
1987

Rendez-moi mes enfants

Actor
Movie
1987

El Valor de una Promesa

Actor
Movie
1987

The Deliberate Stranger

Actor
Show
1986

Let's Get HarryStream

Actor
Harry Burck Jr.
Movie
1986

Prince of Bel Air

Actor
Robin Prince
Movie
1986

El Guerrero del Desierto

Actor
Movie
1984

Tuareg: The Desert Warrior

Actor
Gacel Sayah
Movie
1984

Intimate Agony

Actor
Tommy
Movie
1983

St. ElsewhereStream

Actor
Series
1982

Goliath Awaits

Actor
Show
1981

Entertainment Tonight

Guest
News
1981

Flamingo Road

Actor
Fielding Carlyle
Show
1981

The Dream Merchants

Actor
Show
1980

CBS News Sunday Morning

Guest
News
1979

Clave 240

Actor
Movie
1979

Beyond the Poseidon Adventure

Actor
Larry Simpson
Movie
1979

240-Robert

Actor
Deputy Dwayne "Thib" Thibideaux
Series
1979

CentennialStream

Actor
Capt. John McIntosh
Miniseries
1978

Getting Married

Actor
Howie Lesser
Movie
1978

Little Mo

Actor
Norman Brinker
Movie
1978

Comes a HorsemanStream

Actor
Billy Joe Meynert
Movie
1978
67%

Sam

Actor
Officer Mike Breen
Show
1977

The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew MysteriesStream

Guest Star
Series
1977

Saturday Night LiveStream

Host
Series
1975

Police Woman

Guest Star
Paul Donin
Series
1974

Adam-12Stream

Guest Star
Series
1968

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonStream

Actor
Talk
1962

News aboutMark Harmon

Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS

‘NCIS’ Bosses Explain Why Mark Harmon Was a No-Show in Ducky Tribute

NCIS Crossword

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Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS

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Vanessa Lachey in NCIS Hawaii, Mark Harmon in NCIS

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Spoiler Alert

How ‘NCIS’ Continues to Keep Gibbs Part of the Story (RECAP)

Chicago Fire, The Resident, NCIS

10 Shows With Shocking (Non-Death) Exits in 2021

Behind the Scenes on NCIS

Go Behind the Scenes of ‘NCIS’ With Mark Harmon and the Cast (PHOTOS)

Gibbs Forever Special Issue

A Look Back at TV Guide Magazine’s ‘NCIS’ Covers With Mark Harmon Over the Years

The Man Who Made Gibbs: ‘NCIS’ First Technical Adviser, Richard Warmack

Emily VanCamp in The Resident, Mark Harmon in NCIS, Jesse Spencer in Chicago Fire

Which Show Doesn’t Feel the Same Without One of Its Leads? (POLL)

David McCallum, Michael Weatherly, Sean Murray, Cote de Pablo, Mark Harmon in NCIS

Mark Harmon’s ‘NCIS’ Legacy: His Costars Weigh In

Mark Harmon as Gibbs in NCIS

‘NCIS’: Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ 5 Best Episodes

Mark Harmon as Gibbs in NCIS
Opinion

Mark Harmon’s ‘NCIS’ Exit: A Farewell to Gibbs

Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS

Poll Results: Will You Keep Watching ‘NCIS’ Without Mark Harmon?

Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS

‘NCIS’: 3 Ways We Could See Gibbs Again After Mark Harmon’s Exit

Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS

Will You Watch ‘NCIS’ Without Mark Harmon? (POLL)

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Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS
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‘NCIS’ Says Goodbye to Leroy Jethro Gibbs & Mark Harmon After 19 Seasons

Mark Harmon as Gibbs in NCIS
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‘NCIS’ Season 19 Preview: Gibbs’ Status as an Agent & More Big Changes

Mark Harmon as Gibbs in NCIS

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Mark Harmon as Gibbs, Jason Wiles as Lemere in NCIS
Spoiler Alert

‘NCIS’ Puts the Pieces of the Lemere Case Together — and Leaves Us Worried About Gibbs (RECAP)

Sean Murray, Jason Wiles, Gary Cole, Mark Harmon in NCIS

‘NCIS’: Gibbs & Parker Take a Road Trip With a Killer (PHOTOS)

Sean Murray, Rocky Carroll, Mark Harmon, Wilmer Valderrama in NCIS
Spoiler Alert

‘NCIS’: Gary Cole’s Debut Is Filled With Twists as the Serial Killer Case Continues (RECAP)

Mark Harmon as Gibbs in NCIS

‘NCIS’ Preview: Will Gibbs Get His Badge Back? (VIDEO)

Sean Murray as McGee, Katrina Law as Knight, Wilmer Valderrama as Torres in NCIS
Spoiler Alert

‘NCIS’ Season 19 Premiere: What Happened to Gibbs After His Boat Exploded? (RECAP)

Pam Dawber as Marcie, Sean Murray as McGee, Wilmer Valderrama as Torres in NCIS

‘NCIS’ Season 19 Promo: The Team Finds the Boat Wreckage, But Where’s Gibbs? (VIDEO)

Sean Murray as McGee, Katrina Law as Knight, Wilmer Valderrama as Torres in NCIS

‘NCIS’ Kicks off Season 19 With the Search for Gibbs (PHOTOS)

'NCIS' Star Mark Harmon
Fall Preview

‘NCIS’ Season 19: What’s Next for Gibbs, Plus How Gary Cole’s FBI Agent Fits In

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Mondays Belong to ‘NCIS’ & ‘NCIS: Hawai’i’ in Sneak Peek Promo (VIDEO)

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Gibbs’ Future, a Potential Crossover & More Burning Questions for ‘NCIS’ Season 19

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‘NCIS’: Who Tried to Kill [Spoiler] in the Season 18 Finale?

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‘NCIS’ Season 18 Finale: Did Bishop Leak NSA Files? Plus, [Spoiler] Is Blown Up (RECAP)

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Finale

‘NCIS’ Finale Sees Gibbs in ‘Unadulterated, Pure, and Blissful Happiness’

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‘NCIS’ Season 18 Finale Promo Teases a Major Bishop & Torres Moment (VIDEO)

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‘NCIS’ Team Meets Katrina Law’s Agent Jessica Knight in Penultimate Season 18 Episode (PHOTOS)

Mark Harmon NCIS Season 18 Episode 13 Gibbs

Will Gibbs’ Next Move End His Career at ‘NCIS’? (VIDEO)

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Pam Dawber
Q&A

Pam Dawber on Why It’s the Right Time to Join Husband Mark Harmon on ‘NCIS’

Mark Harmon and Pam Dawber attend the 2002 Creative Arts Emmy Awards

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‘NCIS’: See Mark Harmon and His Wife Pam Dawber Together in ‘Gut Punch’ (PHOTOS)

Pam Dawber and Mark Harmon at the Golden Boot Awards

‘NCIS’ Adds Pam Dawber to Recur Opposite Her Husband Mark Harmon in Season 18

Mark Harmon NCIS Season 18 Episode 10 Gibbs Arrested
Spoiler Alert

Is ‘NCIS’ Suspending Gibbs to Set Up Mark Harmon’s Exit From the Show?

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Spoiler Alert

Have There Been Too Many Losses in Too Few Episodes in ‘NCIS’ Season 18?