Inside ‘NCIS’ Star Mark Harmon’s Work Philosophy
Today, Mark Harmon is best known for leading the hit primetime procedural NCIS. The show has been on the air for 17 seasons, and it continues to draw in viewers spanning the globe, boasting fans from diverse demographics. And, while many of the show’s celebrated characters have since departed — Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo, Pauley Perrette’s Abby Sciuto, etc. — Mark Harmon remains steadfast in his commitment to the series.
As long as the writers continue to come to the table with fresh ideas, Mark Harmon will continue to bring his all as Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, as he once explained. During an interview with TVInsider, Mark Harmon discussed the show’s far-reaching success. Rather than getting caught up in all the glamor and glory tied to his significance in the show, the man’s humility comes forth, likely contributing to the drama’s enduring success.
‘NCIS’ star Mark Harmon on getting the job done
Mark Harmon often focuses on NCIS’s adaptability; the show has always been able to roll with the punches. When Ziva left, the writers handled it. When Tony left, the writers handled it, and so on.
Mark Harmon explained that “change is healthy” and, no matter what, he and those involved in the show must come prepared to adjust — prepared to work. He shared:
Change is healthy. Any actor can depart this show and it will survive. In my mind, there is nothing unclear about how I got here. You go to different shows and hear the chirping about who’s No. 1 on the call sheet or who has the biggest trailer. For me, it’s about doing a job as well as you can. If your job is to get somebody coffee—and I did that in my early days—then make it the best cup of coffee possible. Do the work. And do it with pride.
Mark Harmon \ TVinsider
Mark Harmon remains one of the most humble leading men
Mark Harmon explained that he got to where he is because of his commitment — because of his tenacity. No matter what Harmon was doing in life, he did it with all of his effort, and all of his potential.
Eventually, the hard work paid off. As he says, “do it with pride.” Mark Harmon remains humble to this day, as he often pushes credit aside when interviewers try to cite him as the sole (or primary) source of the show’s enduring success.
Cote de Pablo once gave Mark Harmon the credit he won’t take for NCIS’s success. She explained, “he does a lot for this show that he will never actually say he does, but we all know he does a lot, and we love him for it.” Mark Harmon’s secrets to success seem to be hard work and humility — both of which have gone a long way for the man who keeps viewers coming back to NCIS season after season.
