Mark Harmon, the iconic NCIS star, looks almost unrecognizable two decades after he first appeared on the crime drama series. Debuting in 2003, the show revolves around a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), a spin-off from the series JAG. Over its long run, NCIS has released 21 seasons and spawned six spin-offs.
Harmon starred as NCIS agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs until 2021, leaving the series during its nineteenth season. Three years later, he’s working on a new project and was recently spotted in Los Angeles amidst a major heatwave. Wearing a red button-down shirt, dark shorts, and flip-flops, the 72-year-old was seen grabbing groceries, living a largely private life with his wife of 37 years, Pam Dawber, known for her role in Mork & Mindy.
Since departing NCIS, Harmon has not appeared in any films or TV shows, but he’s set to reprise his role in Freaky Friday, reuniting with the cast of the beloved 2003 film. In the movie, Harmon played Ryan, the endearing partner of Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and stepfather of Anna (Lindsay Lohan).
Reflecting on his time as Agent Gibbs, Harmon expressed his gratitude for the role, saying, “What has always drawn me here is the character I play and to keep it fresh and challenging. Plot-wise, this character took the path that it did, and I thought it was honest and OK.”
Harmon secured the Gibbs role after portraying a Secret Service special agent in four episodes of The West Wing in 2002. Although his name remained on the credits for a year after his NCIS exit, it was eventually removed, as Gibbs wasn’t killed off. However, executive producer Steven D. Binder hasn’t ruled out a return, saying, “Those are things we have not sorted out quite yet, so we’ll wait and see.”
For fans of Gibbs, there’s good news: the character will return in the prequel series NCIS: Origins, starring Austin Stowell. Harmon will serve as an executive producer and narrate the series, which is set around 12 years before NCIS and follows a young Gibbs as a fresh-faced special agent at the NCIS Camp Pendleton office.
“I’m fine with the step-back role and letting the new cast do the work. I’m pleased to be a distant part, just here to support,” Harmon previously said. When asked about returning to the original series, he remained uncertain, adding, “I don’t know. It’s really about feeling you’ve fulfilled a role. I’ve always let the writers do what they want to do.”