One of the most recognizable and likeable characters on television is Mark Harmon. After 19 seasons as Jethro Leroy Gibbs on NCIS, the actor left the program last year. It remains to be seen if Harmon returns, given that he left the door unlocked.
For many years, Harmon has enjoyed a happy marriage to his cherished wife, Pam Dawber. They met at a party and were married and began a family more than thirty years ago. Aside from the love of his life, though, other women have also had a big impact on him. Jamie Lee Curtis is the woman with whom he has an extremely close bond.
It can be difficult to believe that every performer at a renowned event like the Oscar red carpet is someone you know. It’s usually difficult to comprehend how an actor from your favorite mid-1990s television show and an actress from last year’s best film might have known each other.
Curtis Mark Harmon and Jamie Lee
It is obvious that the entertainment business claims to be as large as the universe. Though perhaps you might take that comment with a grain of salt, you get the idea. Before they could be referred to as famous, many performers had to battle their way to the top, just like in many other professions.
That meant working on low-budget films, TV series, commercials, and other projects until they made a breakthrough. Furthermore, since many of them have been actors for decades, it’s very possible that two people you wouldn’t expect to meet have already met.
Certain friendships seem to be more unexpected than others. Especially notable is the one with Jamie Lee Curtis and Mark Harmon. They are still close friends now, as they were in the past.
Even though they are good friends, they have never dated. In the case of Mark Harmon and Jamie Lee Curtis, this makes sense.
Mark Harmon’s career began with cameos on a few episodes of The Love Boat and parts in a number of TV shows, including Flamingo Road and 240 Robert. Still, in 1983 he landed his big break as a series regular on the drama St. Elsewhere. In the late 1980s, he starred in several other films.
His wife Pam Dawber began modeling while she was a student at Oakland Community College, and she quickly appeared in print and television commercials.
Mark Harmon’s spouse, Pam Dawber
Dawber’s big break came when she made an appearance in the late Robin Williams’s 1978 television sitcom Mork & Mindy. The 1979 People’s Choice Award for Best Female Performer in a New TV Series went to her in recognition.
Dawber rose to fame as an actress in movies, but her passion in the industry waned once she began dating Mark Harmon.
They were both well-known performers when they first met at a party thrown by a mutual acquaintance, and they quickly began working together.
The pair married in the Harvard-Westlake School chapel in Studio City, California, in a low-key ceremony in 1987. There were only a few friends and family members present.
Sean Harmon, the couple’s first child, was born in 1988. Like his parents, the first child of the couple would go on to become an actor. Sean gained notoriety for his roles in NCIS and CSI: NY as the younger Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the late actor’s son.
Ty Christian Harmon is another child raised by Mark and Pam. Ty was born in 1992 and pursued a career in show business, following in his family’s history. But Ty Christian is a background worker.
As a screenwriter, he keeps a quiet profile. His brother Sean is most recognized, perhaps, for having directed the Catholic Schoolgirl Chainsaw Showdown.
Mark Harmon made the decision to discontinue his acting career in order to spend more time with his family.
No matter what the boys do, it is obvious that Mark, their father, loves and supports them. Pam made the decision to renounce her fame when their children were born in order to focus on her family.
Her most recent role was as Perdy in the 1998 animated television series 101 Dalmatians: The Series.
Producers noticed that Mark Harmon was an exceptional actor, therefore they gave him more roles. But after more than 20 years of employment with the company, it all got to be a bit much. Harmon made a decision at that very moment that changed the trajectory of his life.
“I was missing a lot of [family time] because we had this young family that was growing up, and I was directing a lot and doing the occasional movie,” he said. He continued, saying this “was not OK.”
Even with his celebrity, Mark eventually missed out on senior year prospects.
“While I was in the New Guinean jungles filming a bad movie, my firstborn child took his first steps.” “No job is worth missing out on the most significant moments in life,” the man claims.
In the end, Pam and Mark Harmon had to keep their distance from each other.
“We’re not trying to keep something secret, but if you don’t want it totally exploited by the press, you have to,” Dawber said in an interview with People.
“Appoint the right person.”
“It’s not even a possibility.”Mark confirmed many years later, saying, “It’s just who we are.” “We spend a great deal of time at home. I’m not into Twitter or Facebook. Our sons also exhibit no curiosity. Pam and I have made a career out of this, yet there is still something about it that is just not right.
Pam Dawber and Mark Harmon have been together for nearly thirty years. They still have a great love for one other.
Harmon says their marriage doesn’t succeed because of a simple solution or secret recipe. However, he thinks that their early marriage was important.
We were both in our 30s when we got married, so perhaps the foolish things we did earlier were forgotten. “That’s probably the closest I can come to figuring out what the key is,” People quoted Mark Harmon as saying.
He said he didn’t have a marriage philosophy in a 2014 interview with Larry King. He does, however, wish that individuals were astute enough to “select the right person.”
To put it another way, Mark Harmon and Pam Dawber have been together for almost 30 years. In terms of her capacity to remain genuinely in love with her lover, Jamie Lee Curtis has gone through a similar experience.
She married Christopher Guest in 1984, and the two of them remain together to this day.
Honorary Guest: Jamie Lee Curtis
Furthermore, Christopher is a well-known actor who rose to fame for his performance in the 1984 film Spinal Tap. Jamie Lee Curtis knew she was going to marry him before they even met, despite the fact that they dated for a long before getting hitched.
“I was flipping through a Rolling Stone magazine with [Halloween producer and co-writer Debra Hill] when I turned to a photograph of three men,” said Curtis in a piece for Oprah.com.
“I looked up at the smirky dude with the checkered shirt on the right. Even though I hadn’t noticed him previously, I made a move toward him.”I will marry that man,” I declared to my friend.
Christopher was that person, and they swapped phone numbers through their agents.
However, he never called her, and Jamie moved on to someone else. She headed to a restaurant for dinner after saying a “friendly but final goodbye” to her then-date at the airport.
They went on their first date in July 1984, and by December, they were married. In the 1980s and 1990s, Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher adopted Annie (born in 1986) and Ruby (born in 1996).
Recently, Ruby—a transgender person born Thomas—came out.
In 2021, Ruby told People, “Just telling them something about me they didn’t know was terrifying.” I didn’t care that it was intimidating. They had always been rather forgiving of me.
The strange bond between Mark Harmon and Jamie Lee Curtis
So what is their main tactic for having been married for so long? Curtis believes that it’s quite easy.
She recommended against divorce in an interview with Today. It’s excellent. As a married author, I could publish a book titled Don’t Leave.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Mark Harmon have been happily married to their spouses for a considerable amount of time. But the two have also had several other notable relationships, including a partnership.
In the well watched film Freaky Friday from 2003, Harmon portrayed the fiancée of Jamie Lee Curtis’s character. This was the first time Harmon and Curtis appeared on screen together. That was the start of a wonderful friendship that went beyond the screen.
“Tom Selleck was attached to play that role when Annette Bening was attached, which made Mark Harmon intriguing.” He was quite honest with me. As Annette started to move away, he told me over the phone, “Look, I was excited about the project, but I was even more excited about the opportunity to work with Annette.” Okay, then I’m going to step back. “Well, I see,” I thought to myself. “No hard feelings,” we remarked, and headed over to visit Mark Harmon. Mark Waters, the director of Freaky Friday, claimed on television that guys were drawn to him because they liked him, even though he was getting older.
The film was a big hit and helped launch the acting careers of Curtis and Harmon. Curtis received high marks from critics for his performance, and the movie made $160.8 million globally.
Mark Harmon made the decision to step back at one point in order to spend more time with his family. On the other hand, a quiet life at home might quickly transform into something different.
“NCIS”
He was shown the script for the TV show NCIS, which is based on the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Harmon was fascinated by the writing, which was often amusing, as well as the character of Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
The first episode of NCIS aired in September 2003. Inspired by the popular naval legal drama JAG, the show’s premiere episode attracted millions of viewers almost instantly. Following that, NCIS became one of the most watched television series in the world, with millions of viewers tuning in each week.
It presently has licenses in over 200 countries, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and has multiple CBS spin-offs, including NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: Hawaii, and NCIS: New Orleans.
During its run, the show has won numerous awards and been nominated for three Primetime Emmys. Harmon was nominated for multiple awards for his performances, including the 2017 People’s Choice Award for Best TV Crime Drama Actor.
Mark Harmon could not believe how it had all happened, even though NCIS became one of the most viewed television programs.
“No, I’m not. It’s just not possible. Harmon told TV Insider in 2017 that the “international reach is staggering.”
“It’s difficult to walk through airports without encountering show fans, even in the most remote locations—and that’s nothing to be upset about.” On TV appearances, I’ve apologized for passing through airports.
Mark Harmon describes Jamie Lee Curtis as “terrific.”
Mark Harmon rose to fame on NCIS, but his close friend Jamie Lee Curtis was also there, albeit only in a supporting role.
The beloved actress made a cameo appearance as Dr. Samantha Ryan in season nine of the program. Harmon seemed to like working with his old friend, and others seemed to agree.
Regarding Curtis’s NCIS debut, Harmon previously remarked, “She’s terrific.” I’ve known Jamie for a very long time. It is a pleasure working with her. The ensemble loves her, and in a rare gesture, Gary Glasberg handed her a role that motivated her to take the stage in the first place. She has had a terrific time there, though, I’m sure she would tell you that.
“She’s a gift to have on the set,” Mark Harmon remarked. “And such a special talent, combined with a wonderful individual who achieves success in her field.” So far, our time with her has been enjoyable.
It was not with Mark Harmon in mind when Jamie Lee Curtis was invited to appear as a guest on NCIS. So when he found out the truth, he was overjoyed. Collaborating has always resulted in happy recollections, and the NCIS assignment was no exception.
“Jamie is fantastic, and I believe we’re all thrilled to have her here to play in our small sandbox. In 2012, he expressed his excitement to Today.
“She’s a gift to have on set,” Harmon remarked in an interview the following year. “It’s peculiar that Gary Glasberg offered her a part that initially motivated her to attend and perform.” She has had a terrific time there, though, I’m sure she would tell you that.
“He makes me blush a little bit.”
Naturally, Jamie Lee Curtis treasured the opportunity to collaborate with her closest friend.
“I express my gratitude. I won’t lie to you and say that playing ‘play’ with him is a dirty, hard job,” she told Entertainment Tonight.
“He makes me blush a little bit,” she remarked. “Because he’s a very kind man.” “I really like him, and he really likes me.”
Mark Harmon said on TV Equals, “I’ve known Jamie for a long time,” in reference to their friendship. Not only is [she] a gifted individual, but she also possesses kindness and success in her career.
In 2022, Mark Harman made the decision to quit the NCIS after 19 seasons. Several of his fans and associates were taken aback by the discovery. When Jamie Lee Curtis found out that Mark was leaving NCIS, she thanked him for his efforts on Instagram.
“I found out recently that [my friend Mark Harmon] is stepping down from his position as head of NCIS.” One of the unexpected pleasures of my varied career was being allowed to play five episodes both in front of and behind the camera against him and his colleagues. As I was exiting his bedroom, I came upon my all-time favorite quote: “Practice makes perfect.” It worked incredibly well for him and his Jethro Gibbs persona. Harmon, you did a fantastic job. Gary would be overjoyed! Jamie Lee Curtis wrote the article.
There is now development on a sequel to Freaky Friday, according to Jamie Lee Curtis. Mark Harmon, time will tell if she makes it on schedule. If not, though, we anticipate seeing them collaborate again soon!
If this caught your attention, you might want to see what Jamie Lee Curtis disclosed about her work as a plastic surgeon.
Do you think Jamie Leee Curtis and Mark Harmon should work together again? Please tell others if you believe they are very good actors!