Mark Harmon: A Star's Journey Through Hollywood

What’s Mark Harmon’s Net Worth and Salary?

Here’s the scoop: Mark Harmon, an American actor with a net worth of $120 million, has become a household name thanks to his iconic role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the long-running TV series "NCIS." This show turned him into one of TV's most recognized and highest-paid stars. But here's what you might not know—he was once a standout quarterback at UCLA, even getting a chance to go pro in football before choosing acting. That's right, folks, he could’ve been a football star instead of the Gibbs we all love!

In the early days of his career, Mark made a name for himself on shows like "St. Elsewhere," where he played Dr. Robert Caldwell and earned widespread acclaim. He also starred in movies like "Summer School" (1987) and "The Deliberate Stranger" (1986), where he took on the daunting role of serial killer Ted Bundy. But his big break came in 2003 when he stepped into the shoes of Gibbs on "NCIS." That role not only made him a global star but also one of the highest-paid actors in television, pulling in $525,000 per episode at the show's peak. And let’s not forget, Mark didn’t just act—he produced too. His work behind the scenes on "NCIS" and its spin-offs has solidified his legacy as a true Hollywood powerhouse.

Salary Breakdown

When "NCIS" was at its peak, Mark Harmon was earning a whopping $525,000 for every episode. That adds up to $12.6 million for a 24-episode season. But wait, there’s more! With his producer credits and syndication royalties, Mark was consistently bringing in over $20 million a year. That’s some serious bank, folks!

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Early Life

Thomas Mark Harmon was born on September 2, 1951, in Burbank, California. His family was a who’s who in entertainment—his dad, Tom Harmon, was a Heisman Trophy-winning football star turned broadcaster, and his mom, Elyse Knox, was an actress, model, and all-around creative genius. Mark has two sisters: the late actress Kristin Nelson and actress/model Kelly Harmon. So, you could say he had some big shoes to fill growing up!

Mark attended Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles for high school. After graduation, he headed to Pierce College, where he played football and earned an associate degree. Colleges were lining up to recruit him, but he chose UCLA over Oklahoma. At UCLA, Mark became the starting quarterback for the Bruins in 1972 and 1973. Imagine that—Mark Harmon, the guy you know as Gibbs, was once a football star!

Career Beginnings

After college, Mark considered careers in advertising and law, but acting was calling his name. He landed his first roles on shows like "Ozzie's Girls," "Adam-12," and "Police Woman" in 1975. He also worked with the legendary Jack Webb on projects like "905-Wild" and "Sam." Mark’s big break came when he was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his role in "Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years" (1977). That’s right, folks, Mark was racking up accolades early on!

Television and Film Career

The 1980s were a game-changer for Mark. He starred in the primetime soap opera "Flamingo Road" in 1980, and when that show ended, he joined the cast of "St. Elsewhere" as Dr. Robert Caldwell. It was during this time that "People" magazine named him Sexiest Man Alive in January 1986. Imagine that—Gibbs was once considered the hottest guy around! He also starred in films like "Stealing Home" and "The Presidio" in 1988, but it was his TV work that really shone. Shows like "Reasonable Doubts," "Charlie Grace," and "Chicago Hope" kept him busy throughout the late '80s and '90s.

In 2002, Mark joined "The West Wing" as Secret Service agent Simon Donovan, which earned him his second Emmy nomination, exactly 25 years after his first. That performance caught the eye of Donald P. Bellisario, who created "JAG" and "NCIS." Bellisario cast Mark as NCIS agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and the rest is history. Mark starred as Gibbs from 2003 until his exit at the end of season 19. He also became a producer and executive producer for the show in 2008. For his work on "NCIS," Mark received six People's Choice Awards nominations, winning Favorite TV Crime Drama Actor in 2017. That’s some serious recognition!

Other Career Activities

Mark hasn’t just been on the screen—he’s been on the stage too. He’s starred in productions like "Wrestlers" and "The Wager" in Los Angeles and the Canadian premiere of "Key Exchange." He’s also performed alongside his wife, Pam Dawber, in multiple productions of the play "Love Letters." In 2014, Mark founded Wings Productions to work on "NCIS: New Orleans." He also took on the role of producer for a CBS series based on the "Prey" novels by John Sandford in 2018. Mark directed episodes of "Chicago Hope" and "Boston Public" and co-authored the nonfiction book "Ghosts of Honolulu" in 2023. That’s a resume even Gibbs would be proud of!

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Personal Life

Mark married actress Pam Dawber on March 21, 1987, and they have two sons: Sean Thomas Harmon (born 1988) and Ty Christian Harmon (born 1992). His sister Kristin was married to Ricky Nelson, making Mark the uncle of actress Tracy Nelson and singers Matthew and Gunnar Nelson from the rock duo Nelson. In 1987, Mark filed for custody of Kristin and Ricky’s youngest child, Sam, but later dropped the bid. His other sister, Kelly, was married to car magnate John DeLorean. Family drama—just like in any good TV show!

Real Estate

Mark and Pam bought a home in LA's Mandeville Canyon area in the late '80s for $4 million and sold it to director Barry Levinson in 1990 for $7.9 million after a major renovation. Their primary home for over two decades has been a Brentwood mansion worth $15+ million today. In 1998, they purchased a Malibu hilltop home with stunning ocean views for $610,000, which is likely worth $10-12 million now. Talk about living the dream, folks!