Mark Harmon

About

Mark Harmon is an esteemed American actor born on September 2, 1951, in Burbank, California. He is best known for his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the CBS series "NCIS." Harmon's acting career took off with his breakthrough role in the medical drama "St. Elsewhere." Before becoming an actor, Harmon was a successful college football player at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He has received several awards for his roles in television series and continues to enjoy a successful career in Hollywood. Primarily private about his personal life, Harmon has been married to actress Pam Dawber since 1987 and they have two sons together.

Associated With

Mark Harmon, an acclaimed American actor, is best known for his role on the CBS series "NCIS." He started his acting career in the late 1970s and over time, has worked with numerous professionals in the industry. Among his prominent collaborations were with his "NCIS" co-stars like Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, and Sean Murray. Harmon also co-starred with Jamie Lee Curtis in "Freaky Friday" and had a long-lasting professional relationship with Gary Glasberg, the producer of "NCIS." On a personal level, Harmon is married to actress Pam Dawber, known for her role in the hit TV show “Mork & Mindy,” since 1987. The couple has two sons together. In his early life, Harmon was a football star and his connection with the industry includes his father Tom Harmon, a Heisman Trophy-winning football player, and his mother Elyse Knox, a model and actress.

Career Highlights

• 1973: Mark Harmon begins acting, featuring in an episode of the TV series "Ozzie's Girls".
• 1977: Harmon becomes the series regular on "Sam", playing Officer Mike Breen.
• 1980: Harmon lands a breakthrough role in the primetime soap opera "Flamingo Road," solidifying his status as a popular TV actor.
• 1986: He wins the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum's Bronze Wrangler Award for his role in "The Deliberate Stranger".
• 1987: Harmon takes on another critical role in the series "Moonlighting," which increases his popularity and recognition.
• 1988 - 1993: Harmon features in the series "Reasonable Doubts" which keeps his status in the TV world steady.
• 1995–2002: Success continues as he plays Dr. Bobby Caldwell on "Chicago Hope" and Secret Agent Simon Donovan on "The West Wing".
• 2002: He receives a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for "The West Wing".
• 2003: Harmon starts playing his most iconic role as "Leroy Jethro Gibbs" on the CBS series "NCIS," a role he continues to portray to this day.
• 2017: Harmon receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the television industry.
• 2020: Harmon's work on "NCIS" earns him a spot on Forbes’ list of Highest-Paid TV Actors, demonstrating his continued success and popularity.

Notable Awards

• Mark Harmon, best known for his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in "NCIS," has received several notable recognitions in his career, though not many in the form of traditional awards:
• He won the "People's Choice Award" for Favorite TV Crime Drama Actor in 2017 for his role in "NCIS".
• He has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television in 2012.
• Harmon was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1986.
• He was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" for "The West Wing" and "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special" for "Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years", though he did not win.
• He was nominated for Golden Globe Awards for "Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama" for "Reasonable Doubts" and "Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV" for "After the Promise", but did not win on these either.
• Apart from awards for acting, Harmon was also awarded the "President's Award" by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 1996 for his role in helping to save two teenage boys involved in a car accident in Brentwood, Los Angeles.

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Mark Harmon Movie/TV Show?

The most popular Mark Harmon TV show is widely considered to be "NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service," in which he plays the leading role as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. This US TV series, which started in 2003, revolves around a team of special agents investigating crimes that involve the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Harmon's portrayal of a versatile and multi-layered character built a significant fan base, ensuring NCIS's widespread acclaim and popularity. Due to its enduring appeal, this show stands out as Mark Harmon's most popular screen work.

How Did Mark Harmon Get Famous?

Mark Harmon gained fame largely due to his acting career, specifically his roles in popular television shows. He initially rose to prominence in the early 1980s with his Emmy-nominated performance in "Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years" and his portrayal of a doctor on the long-running medical drama "St. Elsewhere". However, Harmon is best known for his role as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the hit CBS series "NCIS", which he has been starring in since 2003. His credible performances and charismatic on-screen presence have earned him a spot among television's most recognized actors.