Mark Harmon Young: Retro photos of the handsome ‘NCIS’ star
Since the 1970s, actor Mark Harmon has been a reliable presence on television. He is best known for his roles in shows such as: St. Elsewhere, reasonable suspicion, chicago hope and NCISthe blue-eyed actor went from handsome boy to silver fox over the decades, wrapping up an impressive 19-season run as NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs in 2021.
The popular military police procedural gave the now 72-year-old actor perhaps his most famous role, but he was already a veteran of small films when he was cast in 2003. Now that Gibbs no longer graces our screens, we look back fondly on Mark Harmon’s early days. And find out what he does next!
Mark Harmon in his youth: from football player to TV personality
Harmon was destined to be a star. Born in California in 1951 to actress Elise Knox and football player Tom Harmon, he had parents who were already in the public eye, and older sisters Christine and Kelly were also actresses (and famous). (Kristin was married to an actor). She was married to musician and actor Ricky Nelson for 19 years, and Kelly was briefly married to car executive John DeLorean).
As the young Harmon said in a 1977 newspaper interview, growing up in the spotlight prepared him well for the acting world. “I’ve always seen the camera as a friend. There was always someone taking pictures of my parents and family, so I wasn’t scared.”
During his college days in the early 1970s, Harmon followed in his father’s football footsteps, playing quarterback for UCLA. Soon after, he began acting and appeared on shows such as: adam-12, Laverne & Shirley, policewoman and police story. He began gaining attention with an Emmy-nominated supporting role in the 1977 TV movie. Eleanor and Franklin: The White HouseThe following year, he made the leap to feature films, appearing in the 1978 Western film. the knight is coming, alongside stars Jane Fonda, James Caan and Jason Robards.He has been working steadily and was starring in an action movie sequel Beyond the Poseidon Adventure and the short-lived police show 240-Robert.
mark harmon in the 80s
In the ’80s, Harmon rose to fame.He started the decade playing the wonderfully named Fielding Carlyle on the prime-time soap opera flamingo road.He joined the cast of the popular medical drama following the show’s cancellation. St. Elsewhere As Dr. Robert Caldwell, he was a womanizing plastic surgeon who made news when he became one of the first television actors to contract AIDS.
he left in the same year St. Elsewherehe was named people He was named the second sexiest man of all time by the same magazine. However, the honor never left his mind, and he said: And I think maybe a few people are too many. ”
Harmon spent the rest of the ’80s appearing in films such as: get harry, summer school, The Presidio, house of thieves and worth winning.He appeared in television movies, his most famous being sweet bird of youthopposite Elizabeth Taylor, and the miniseries intentional strangerHe played the role of notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. He also briefly played Cybill Shepherd’s lover. moonlight He also appeared in a commercial for Coors Beer.
Harmon began appearing in more films in the ’80s, but never fully became a movie star. Rather, he was known as one of the most handsome small movie stars of all time, which is still quite an achievement.
Short-lived series and big comeback
In the ’90s, Mark Harmon continued his reign as a television star, co-starring Marlee Matlin. reasonable suspicion From 1991 to 1993. His next show will be charlie gracewas canceled after only 9 episodes.10 years after quitting St. ElsewhereHarmon played the doctor again. chicago hope. He appeared on the show from his 1996 to his 2000, and the early 2000s brought about a resurgence in his acting career.
After receiving his second Emmy nomination for four episodes as a Secret Service agent, west wing In 2002, Harmon landed the role of a lifetime. NCIS, appeared in over 400 episodes from 2003 to 2021. As Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Harmon was the heart of the show, and the character became his crowning achievement after decades of playing procedural law enforcement officers.
Mark Harmon’s long marriage
Harmon married in 1987. mork and mindy Actress Pam Dawber and the star remain happily together almost 36 years later. They have two sons but have kept their personal life away from the spotlight. in 2019 people In an interview, Harmon enthused, “I’m proud to be married, and I’m proud of who I married.” In 2021, the couple shared the screen for the first time when Dover appeared in seven episodes of the TV show. NCIS. (Click here to learn more about Pam Dawber!)
what is mark harmon doing now
Last year, Harmon announced his first project since the end of the series, a book titled. Ghosts of Honolulu: Japanese spies, Japanese American spy hunters, and the untold story of Pearl Harborhe co-wrote NCIS Technical Advisor Leon Carroll Jr.
The book will be released on November 14, 2023 and is inspired by Harmon and Carroll Jr.’s experiences. NCISis a historical account of Japanese and American intelligence in World War II. “These are real stories from people who were there,” Harmon said. people “It’s real and it’s our history.” The book’s publisher also calls it a work of nonfiction that focuses on “the incredible high-stakes game of naval intelligence.” He said that there is.
We can’t wait to read the new book – maybe he’ll bring these stories to the small screen!
Read more about your favorite TV stars here!
80’s TV Stars: 30 Favorite Actors and Actresses of Then and Now
‘The Love Boat’ Cast: See the Campy Classic’s Stars Then and Now
‘Castle’ cast then and now: Where are the stars now and what do they think about their return?
