Mark Harmon’s time on NCIS has come to an end after 18 seasons.
Fans were startled when his beloved character, special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, bad a last farewell to his cr1me-fighting team on the October 11 episode of the classic police procedural.
Harmon’s abrupt resignation, however, did not come as a complete surprise to his colleagues: An insider said it’s “been in the works for a while.”
The veteran actor, 70, who has overseen the series since its inception in 2003, “was just worn out by the daily grind,” according to a source. “The producers went out of their way to make things easier for him by reducing his screen time and bringing in Gary Cole to fill the void.” Nonetheless, Harmon believed he’d given the program his all and had earned the right to quit.”
Harmon, who has two kids, Sean, 33, and Ty, 29, with his wife of 25 years, Mork & Mindy alum Pam Dawber, 70, “has been saying for ages that he wants to spend more time with his family,” according to the source.
He has been eager to return to their ranch in Montana, where he can take care of his horses, fix up the house, hang out in the garage, and work on his automobiles, according to the source.
While Harmon is still an executive producer on the program and the door is open for him to return, “it’s hard to imagine him coming back,” the insider warns. “Mark is tired and just wants to have fun.” He will, nonetheless, be missed.”
Jamie Lee Curtis, who starred on many episodes of the hit CBS drama during season nine, rushed to social media to wish Harmon well.
“I just read that my friend, Mark Harmon, is leaving his leadership position @ncis_cbs,” she said on Instagram on Tuesday, October 12, with a vintage photo of the two on set.
“One of the unexpected pleasures of my varied career was being able to do five episodes in front of and behind the camera opposite him and his team.” When I was coming down from his bedroom, my favorite line was, ‘Practice makes perfect.’ “Worked well for him and his Jethro Gibbs character,” she wrote. “Excellent work, Harmon. Gary would/is overjoyed!”
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