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 2024
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.
Mark Harmon Biography Details
| Born | Thomas Mark Harmon September 2, 1951 (age 73) Burbank, California, U.S. |
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| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles (BA) |
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| Occupations | - Actor
- producer
- director
- author
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| Years active | 1970–present |
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| Spouse | |
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| Children | 2 |
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| Parents | - Tom Harmon (father)
- Elyse Knox (mother)
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| Relatives | - Gunnar Nelson (nephew)
- Matthew Nelson (nephew)
- Tracy Nelson (niece)
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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
Mark has a net worth alone of $120 million.
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.
