Matinee Classics - Mark Harmon Biography & Filmography

Mark Harmon ACTOR

PHOTOS

MARK HARMON BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Mark Harmon was born on September 2nd, 1951 in Burbank, California with the birth name Thomas Mark Harmon, born to Tom Harmon, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1940 and is considered by some to be the greatest football player in Michigan Wolverines history, and Elyse Knox. He has two sisters, Kelly and Kristin, the latter was married to rock n roll legend Ricky Nelson, and his mother worked as an actress. After high school, he went on to study at Los Angeles Pierce College and then played college football at UCLA where he graduated cum laude with a degree in communications in 1974.

He first found work as a carpenter and lifeguard while beginning to pursue a career as an actor. His first role was in 1973 on the television series, "Ozzie's Girls" starring Ozzie Nelson, playing a gorilla. He followed this role with appearances on, "Adam-12", "Police Woman", Emergency!", "Laverne and Shirley" and "240-Robert".

Some of his early film roles were in, "Comes a Horseman" (1978), "Beyond the Poseidon Adventure" (1979), "Let's Get Harry" (1986), "Summer School" (1987), the television movie, "The Deliberate Stranger" (1986), portraying serial killer Ted Bundy and in 1973 he won an Emmy for his role on the television miniseries, "Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years".

He is well known for his role on the television series, "St. Elsewhere" (1982)" which ran for three seasons and his role portraying Dr. Jack McNeil on the series, "Chicago Hope" during 1996 through 2000. He also added to his credits roles in the films, "The Presidio" (1988) costarring Sean Connery, "Stealing Home" (1988) and "Worth Winning" (1989).

Along with his film work he also added to his resume commercial work appearing in over twenty Coors beer commercials during the 1980's and was a national show representative for Adidas during the 1970's.

Mark Harmon has also worked as a stage actor performing in such stage productions as, "Wrestlers", "The Wager" and "Love Letters". More recently he has appeared in the films, "Freaky Friday" and "JAG" (both 2003). Beginning in 2003, he has starred as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the #1 CBS hit television series, "NCIS".

Harmon was chosen by People's magazine as "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1986. In 1997 he was nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, "Chicago Hope" and then in 2010 and 2011 he was honored with two People's Choice Awards for his work on NCIS.

Mark Harmon has married only once to his current wife, Pam Dawber (a talented actress who starred on her own television sitcom "Mork and Mindy" with Robin Williams) whom he wed in 1987 and together they have two children. They remain living in Los Angeles and as of now, he has no interest in retiring from the industry.