Thomas Mark Harmon, born September 2, 1951, is an American actor and former football player. He is best known for his portrayal of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the lead character on the long-running TV series NCIS. Harmon has had a diverse television career, beginning in the early 1970s, with roles such as Dr. Robert Caldwell on St. Elsewhere, Detective Dicky Cobb on Reasonable Doubts, and Dr. Jack McNeil on Chicago Hope.
Mark Harmon Biography 2025
His film career includes appearances in Summer School, Prince of Bel Air, Stealing Home, Wyatt Earp, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Freaky Friday, and Chasing Liberty. In 2002, Harmon portrayed Secret Service agent Simon Donovan in a four-episode arc on The West Wing, a role that earned him an Emmy Award nomination. His portrayal of Leroy Jethro Gibbs was first introduced in a guest role on JAG before he went on to star as the character in the NCIS spinoff, where he played the role from 2003 to 2021.
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Mark Harmon Biography Details
Born
Thomas Mark Harmon
September 2, 1951 (age 73)
Burbank, California, U.S.
Alma mater
University of California, Los Angeles (BA)
Occupations
Actor
producer
director
author
Years active
1970–present
Spouse
Pam Dawber
(m. 1987)
Children
2
Parents
Tom Harmon (father)
Elyse Knox (mother)
Relatives
Gunnar Nelson (nephew)
Matthew Nelson (nephew)
Tracy Nelson (niece)
Mark Harmon Early Life
Thomas Mark Harmon was born in Burbank, California, as the youngest of three children. His father, Tom Harmon, was a Heisman Trophy-winning football player and broadcaster, while his mother, Elyse Knox (born Elsie Lillian Kornbrath), was an actress, model, and artist. Harmon grew up with two older sisters: Kristin Nelson, an actress and painter who was married to singer Rick Nelson before their divorce, and Kelly Harmon, an actress and model who was previously married to car magnate John DeLorean. His maternal grandparents were immigrants from Austria.
Mark Harmon Family Member
Family Member
Facts
Father
Tom Harmon, Heisman Trophy-winning football player and broadcaster
Mother
Elyse Knox (née Elsie Lillian Kornbrath), actress, model, and artist
Sisters
Kelly Harmon, actress and model, and Kristin Nelson, actress and painter
Grandparents
Maternal grandparents were Austrian immigrants
College Football Career and Education
College/University
Details
Pierce College
Attended in 1970–1971, earned an associate degree before transferring to UCLA
UCLA
Started as quarterback for UCLA Bruins (1972–1973), graduated cum laude in 1974 with a B.A. in Communications
Athletic Awards
NJCAA All-American (1971), NFF National Scholar-Athlete Award (1973), Second-team Academic All-America (1973)
Transition to Acting and Early Roles
Show/Project
Information
Ozzie’s Girls
Mark’s first acting job in 1973 as Mark Johnson, debut role alongside his father
Adam-12, Police Woman
Appeared in episodes during 1975, marking early guest roles in crime dramas
Emergency!
Had a recurring guest role in 1975 as Officer Dave Gordon
Sam
Played Officer Mike Breen in the short-lived series “Sam” in 1978-1979
Breakthrough Roles in Television
Show
Details
St. Elsewhere
Played Dr. Robert Caldwell, a role that showcased his dramatic range, from 1983-1986
Flamingo Road
Starred as Fielding Carlyle in the prime-time soap opera in 1980–1982
The Deliberate Stranger
Portrayed serial killer Ted Bundy in the 1986 TV movie, earning widespread attention
Career Milestones and Iconic Roles
Role
Years
NCIS
Portrayed Leroy Jethro Gibbs from 2003–2021, becoming a TV legend and executive producer
The West Wing
Guest-starred as Secret Service agent Simon Donovan in 2002, earning an Emmy nomination
Chicago Hope
Played Dr. Jack McNeil from 1996 to 2000, establishing his reputation in medical dramas
NCIS Mark Harmon Defining Role
Show
Points
NCIS
Harmon starred as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, becoming the face of the franchise from 2003–2021
Executive Producer
Harmon also served as an executive producer on NCIS, further cementing his influence in the TV industry
People’s Choice Awards
Nominated and won various awards, including Favorite TV Crime Drama Actor (2017)
Personal Life and Family
Family Member
Details
Spouse
Married to actress Pam Dawber since 1987, with two sons
Sons
His son, Sean Harmon, appeared as a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in several NCIS episodes
Public Appearances
Maintains a low public profile with family, avoiding media attention
Philanthropy and Other Ventures
Project
Details
Wings Productions
Started a production company to produce NCIS: New Orleans in 2014
Ghosts of Honolulu
Co-authored and narrated the 2023 book Ghosts of Honolulu with retired NCIS Special Agent Leon Carroll Jr.
Walk of Fame
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012
Awards and Nominations
Award
Years
Primetime Emmy Awards
Nominated in 1977 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie
Golden Globe Awards
Nominated in 1987 for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film for The Deliberate Stranger
People’s Choice Awards
Nominated and won Favorite TV Crime Drama Actor in 2017
Contributions to Television Production
Show
Details
NCIS
Served as a producer and executive producer from 2008, contributing to the success of the series
NCIS: New Orleans
Oversaw production for the spinoff series from 2014 to 2021
Boston Public
Directed two episodes of the show in 2002
Mark Harmon Influence and Legacy
Influence
Facts
Cultural Impact
Harmon’s portrayal of Gibbs has become iconic, influencing TV crime drama trends and audiences for nearly two decades
Mentorship
Mentored younger actors, such as Sean Murray, who played Tim McGee on NCIS
Enduring Popularity
Remains a beloved figure among fans of NCIS and the larger television community
Notable Film Appearances
Film
Role
Freaky Friday
Played Ryan in the 2003 comedy film
Stealing Home
Starred as Billy Wyatt in 1988
The Presidio
Co-starred with Sean Connery and Meg Ryan in 1988
Television Filmography
Title
Data
Eleanor and Franklin
Played Robert Dunlap in the 1977 television film
The Deliberate Stranger
Portrayed Ted Bundy in 1986
Reasonable Doubts
Played Detective Dicky Cobb from 1991–1993
Other Professional Pursuits
Project
Details
Key Exchange
Performed in the Canadian premiere of Key Exchange in the late 1980s
Voice Acting
Voiced Clark Kent/Superman in the animated film Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010)
The Amati Girls
Played Lawrence in the 2001 TV film, contributing to his continued presence in film and television
Mark Harmon Net Worth 2025
Mark Harmon’s net worth is estimated to be around $120 million. During the height of NCIS, Mark’s salary was reported to be a whopping $525,000 per episode. That worked out to $12.6 million in a 24-episode season.
Mark Harmon Summary
Mark Harmon legacy is marked by a versatile and successful career in both television and film. From his athletic beginnings to his enduring role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS, Harmon has become a household name. His career has spanned over four decades, earning him accolades and admiration for his contributions to both the entertainment industry and his community. He continues to leave a lasting impact as an actor, producer, and philanthropist, with a career that has touched millions of lives worldwide.
