NCIS Star Mark Harmon Reflects on the Phone Call That Changed His Life

Mark Harmon, widely known for playing Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS, didn’t originally plan to become an actor. Before Hollywood, he worked as a merchandising director but felt it wasn’t the right path. While taking acting classes, he had no agent or clear direction.

A turning point came when he impulsively called Mark VII Limited and ended up speaking with Jack Webb, who invited him to meet. That opportunity helped him land early TV roles in the 1970s and gradually build a career in film and television.

Over time, Harmon appeared in multiple projects, but his defining role came with NCIS, where he led the series for 18 seasons before stepping away in 2021, though he has briefly returned since.

Mark Harmon, famous as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS, took an unconventional path into acting. He initially pursued a stable career in merchandising but realized it didn’t suit him, despite already attending acting classes without industry connections.

His breakthrough happened by chance when he contacted Mark VII Limited and spoke directly with Jack Webb. Impressed, Webb invited him in, opening doors to early TV appearances and film roles.

Harmon steadily built his career, eventually landing his most iconic role on NCIS, where he became the face of the show for nearly two decades before departing in 2021, while still remaining connected to the series.