Mark Harmon wasn’t exactly the “big dog” on NCIS — at least, that’s how he saw it years before the public drama with Pauley Perrette. Long before the show hit the headlines with allegations and backstage tension, Harmon was speaking his truth about his role and power on set.
Sure, he played Gibbs, the central figure, but behind the scenes, he didn’t see himself as the dominant force everyone assumed he was.
Mark Harmon’s humble leadership: The true key to NCIS success
Mark Harmon wasn’t shy about keeping things real about his role on NCIS. Long before any behind-the-scenes drama (like Pauley Perrette’s exit due to an alleged feud with Harmon over a dog bite) Harmon gave an honest, humble take on his power within the series. He confessed (via Seattle Times),
I’m not the big dog. … I might be a dog. But there’s a lot of dogs.
His self-effacing honesty is part of what made him such a beloved figure. Despite playing the iconic Gibbs, Harmon made it clear that the show’s success wasn’t his alone. The credit, he emphasized, was shared by the entire team.
Even with NCIS booming in ratings, it wasn’t the kind of success that Harmon ever took for granted. His understated approach to fame isn’t just part of his personality, but a very reflection of his unexpected TV career trajectory. He acknowledged,
We’ve been successful so far and we keep finding ways to grow it.
After years of ups and downs, NCIS became his breakthrough, defying the odds. Harmon quipped about the show’s early years:
We were able to keep it afloat a couple of years because we weren’t good enough to get all the attention and we weren’t bad enough to get canceled. … And the biggest thing: We shoot in Santa Clarita. Nobody from the network wanted to drive out there!
Through comings, goings, and cast shifts, including Perrette’s departure, Harmon’s focus was always on moving forward. His quiet leadership style, a far cry from the “big dog” stereotype, cemented NCIS’ place in TV history.
Mark Harmon’s bold move that led to a lifetime of love with Pam Dawber
Mark Harmon’s love story with wife Pam Dawber began with a bold move. Per PEOPLE, instead of meeting through a group setting, Harmon cold-called Dawber and left a casual message, asking for a coffee. She picked up, and the rest was history. He told the outlet,
I said, ‘Can I just call? Can I get a number and just cold call?’ And so I did. I got the number, and I called, and I got an answering machine.
And I started to leave a message that said, ‘We don’t have to all go out. We could get a cup of coffee or something.’ And then she was monitoring and she picked up. We went out that night and we’re together ever since.
One year later (March 21, 1987), they married and started their family. While both stayed private about their relationship, Dawber returned to TV in 2021 on NCIS alongside Harmon.
