‘NCIS’: Wilmer Valderrama Called Mark Harmon His ‘Bestie’ – Inside Their On- and Off-Screen Bromance
NCIS has been on the air for nearly 20 years, with many cast changes along the way. The one constant was Mark Harmon (Leroy Jethro Gibbs), who led the show for over 400 episodes.
That changed in Season 19 when Harmon officially departed.
During his time on the show, Harmon built strong relationships with his co-stars-especially Wilmer Valderrama, who joined as Agent Nick Torres in Season 14. The two developed a close friendship on set, with Valderrama even calling Harmon his “bestie.”
On ‘NCIS,’ Gibbs became Torres’ accidental ‘father figure’
NCIS fans didn’t learn much about Nick Torres’ past until Season 18, when his missing father, Miguel, resurfaced.
Wilmer Valderrama told TV Line that Torres had “no real direction” after years undercover, moving from mission to mission. It was Gibbs who gave him a sense of family and became an “accidental father figure.”
“Gibbs has been more of a father to Torres than anyone else,” Valderrama said in 2021. He recalled a scene where Torres was hit by a car, and a rare, emotional Gibbs rushed to the hospital—deeply concerned and clearly attached.
Wilmer Valderrama referred to Mark Harmon as his “bestie.”
The Season 18 storyline between Gibbs and Torres showed just how close the two characters had become. But fans may be surprised to know their real-life bond was just as strong.
Wilmer Valderrama has often called Mark Harmon his “bestie.” In a 2018 interview with Access, he said, “Mark Harmon and I are best friends. We’re having a great time. That guy and I are inseparable.”
Valderrama also praised Harmon’s dedication and love for the job, saying he could relate to that same passion for the work.
The ‘NCIS’ star wasn’t kidding about the on-screen and off-screen bromance.
Wilmer Valderrama echoed his admiration for Mark Harmon in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, highlighting Harmon’s leadership on the NCIS set.
“When you mention Mark Harmon, he’s someone who leads with kindness and has a great energy,” Valderrama said. “He and I have a pretty good bromance going on. But it’s really about the people-the fact that everyone still enjoys coming to work.”
Wilmer Valderrama enjoys making fun of Mark Harmon.
Wilmer Valderrama says he and Mark Harmon often chatted between scenes before Harmon left NCIS. He also never missed a chance to tease Harmon about being People‘s Sexiest Man Alive in 1986.
Valderrama told People he’d joke whenever Harmon gave advice: “You would know-because you were People‘s Sexiest Man Alive.”
Getting lost in the eyes of the ‘NCIS’ star
Wilmer Valderrama admits Mark Harmon is a handsome man-and even joked about how hard it was to look into his blue eyes.
“When you look into Mark Harmon’s deep, ocean eyes, you feel like you don’t have floaties,” Valderrama said. “You went in without a life jacket and sank into a blue abyss.”
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