Mark Harmon, born in 1951 in Burbank, California, grew raised in a well-known family. His father, Tom Harmon, won the Heisman Trophy, and his mother, Elyse Knox, is an actress. Mark’s upbringing was shaped by athletics and Hollywood, providing the groundwork for his eventual profession.

Harmon initially pursued college football at UCLA, but eventually transitioned to acting in the 1970s. He gained early television roles in shows like St. Elsewhere and Reasonable Doubts, setting the stage for a diverse acting career.

Harmon’s depiction of Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS propelled him to international recognition. The show, a spin-off of JAG, was a huge hit, solidifying his status as a television superstar.

Despite his on-screen success, Harmon faced tensions behind the scenes of NCIS. His conflict with a co-star led to her departure, bringing some drama to the show’s production environment.

Harmon left NCIS in 2021, after 19 seasons. Although he left the show as a regular, he remained an executive producer, having a lasting impact on the popular series.