Starting his career from the early 1970’s, Mark Harmon acted in a number of television series and films. Considered as TV’s hunkiest stars, this American actor is hugely popular for his role as a special agent named Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the CMS drama NCIS. This role earned him three People’s Choice Awards nominations. With his striking blue eyes and silver hair, he was chosen as the sexiest man alive in the “Sexiest Man Alive” poll by the People’s Magazine in the year 1986.
Early Life
Mark Harmon was born on September 2, 1951 in Burbank, California to football player Tom Harmon and actress Elyse Knox. After completing high school, he graduated cum laude from University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in communication. He played quarterback for UCLA Bruins from 1972 to 1973 and also won the National Football Foundation Award for showing all-round excellence. After graduating in 1974, Harmon considered a career in either advertising or law for some time. Although he started working as a merchandising director he soon decided to switch to acting.
Family
Parents:
Winner of Heisman Trophy, his father Tom Harmon was a legendary football player who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines. His mother Elyse Knox was an actress best known for her role in the movie The Mummy’s Tomb. He was the youngest of their three children. He has two older sisters, actress-model Kelly and actress-painter Kristen. His two renowned brother-in laws are the late musician Ricky Nelson and car magnate John DeLorean.
Wife and Children:
Harmon dated actress Cristina Raines for four years who was his co-star in the TV series Flamingo Road. His relationship with Cristina ended in the year 1984. Mark then married actress Pam Dawber in 1987 exactly one year after meeting her for the first time. The couple has two children named Sean Harmon and Ty Harmon. Interestingly Sean played the role of young Gibbs in NCIS. Mark and his wife both maintain a low profile life rarely appearing before the public with their children.
Career
Mark Harmon got his first acting gig by playing a gorilla in an episode of Ozzie’s Girls. After that he got guest roles in many television series. He got his first Emmy nomination for being Outstanding Supporting Actor for his performance as Robert Dunlop in Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years. He also did many guest appearances and supporting roles in several TV series and movies. He impressed the critics with his performance as the suave doctor on the prestigious series St. Elsewhere. Following his splendid performance he bagged lead roles in TV movies Prince of Bel Air and The Deliberate Stranger. In 1987 he got the lead role in the comedy film Summer School. Mark acted in two films named The Presido and Stealing Home. After his film Worth Winning failed to earn profit at the box-office he decided to return to television. For the next few years he played various roles including private investigator, detective, doctor and even an astronaut in different TV series. He gained admiration for his role as a special agent Gibbs on NCIS and the other series set within the franchise.
Net Worth
Mark Harmon’s estimated net worth is $40 million.