Mark Harmon’s Sole Request Before Taking on Gibbs Role – A Must-Know Insight for NCIS Fans!
NCIS star Mark Harmon reflects on a pivotal moment before joining the long-running CBS series, revealing his one and only request. Known for his portrayal of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Harmon remained a fixture on the original NCIS for 19 seasons, leaving a lasting impact even after his departure in 2021.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, promoting his new book, Ghosts of Honolulu, Harmon discloses that the character’s name almost became a deal-breaker. While initially not drawn to the script, the name Leroy Jethro Gibbs caught Harmon’s attention. Despite a brief consideration of changing it to something more common like “Bob Johnson,” Harmon insisted on keeping the unique name.
Harmon explains, “Upon reading ‘Leroy Jethro Gibbs,’ I found the name intriguing. However, there was a brief moment where I considered changing it to something like ‘Bob Johnson.’ Immediately, I thought, ‘No, it has to be Leroy Jethro Gibbs.’ The creator initially resisted, suggesting I couldn’t play a character with that name. I questioned, ‘Why not?’ Eventually, it reverted, and I was pleased with the decision.”
The article also touches on the speculation surrounding Harmon’s return to NCIS, emphasizing that Gibbs’ potential return remains open-ended. Despite Harmon’s departure, executive producer Steven Binder has indicated that Gibbs is not “retired,” leaving the door open for a possible brief appearance in the future. Harmon, citing aging as a reason for his exit, has left the possibility of a return lingering in the minds of fans.
