Mark Harmon

Biography

Mark Harmon, born September 2, 1951, in Burbank, California, is an American actor, producer, and former college football quarterback. The son of Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon and actress Elyse Knox, he played football at UCLA before shifting to acting in the 1970s. His early work included appearances on television shows like Emergency! and The Love Boat. He gained critical attention for his portrayal of a doctor with HIV on St. Elsewhere and for playing serial killer Ted Bundy in The Deliberate Stranger. However, he became a household name as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS, a role he played from 2003 to 2021. His calm, authoritative presence helped make the show one of the most-watched dramas on television. He later served as executive producer and narrator for the NCIS prequel series, NCIS: Origins, which premiered in 2024. Off screen, Harmon has been married to actress Pam Dawber since 1987. They have two sons, Sean and Ty. Even after decades in the industry, he remains active in film and TV, including a role in the upcoming Freaky Friday sequel.