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Former NCIS star Mark Harmon's famous family: everything we know

The Agent Gibbs actor comes from a family full of actors

mark harmon and wife
Francesca Shillcock
Senior Features Writer
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Former NCIS star Mark Harmon left fans devastated when he announced over a year ago that he would be stepping down from his iconic role as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, after eighteen years.

While the actor departed the long-running CBS drama during season 19 in 2021, he remains an executive producer on the show – and it has been suggested that he hasn't completely turned his back on his onscreen role. Relive the dramatic events which led to his departure in the video below.

WATCH: The trailer for Mark Harmon's final NCIS series

Now that the star is no longer filming seasons of the CBS show, he'll likely enjoy more time with his family, who it turns out are also acting legends. Find out what we know about his loved ones and relatives here…

Who is Mark Harmon's wife?

Mark Harmon is married to sitcom star Pam Dawber. The couple tied the knot in 1987 and have been together ever since. While the actor has been honest about how he and his wife don't always see eye-to-eye, the pair live a seemingly idyllic life away from the spotlight in a house they renovated together in Santa Monica, California.

DISCOVER: NCIS star Mark Harmon makes first major career move since leaving show

Like Mark, Pam is an actress and has appeared in many shows and films over the years including My Sister Sam, Life… and stuff and Stay Tuned. She's perhaps best known for her costarring role in the popular 1970s sitcom, Mork & Mindy, opposite the late Robin Williams.

mark harmon and pam© Photo: Getty Images

Mark and Pam married in 1987

In 2021, Pam even joined her husband on screen in an episode of NCIS as investigative journalist Marcie Warren.

Speaking to TV Insider, Pam revealed that she had "been asked to do NCIS before over the years" but always turned it down because "it just wasn't the right character or the right time."

Recalling how the role came about, she said: "With Marcie, it was so funny because when they were casting, Mark goes, 'Who you're really looking for is my wife.' They said, 'But she's always turned us down!'"

Who are Mark Harmon's children?

Mark and Pam are parents to sons Sean, 34, and Ty, 30. and, While the family generally keep a low profile, Sean did have a role on NCIS playing a younger version of his dad.

MORE: NCIS star Mark Harmon keeps a low profile despite his wife and sons also working in Hollywood

However, generally, Mark and Pam are a very private couple and eschew social media or sharing their personal lives with the world.

mark harmon and kids© Photo: Instagram

The couple share two sons together

Talking to People about the couple's focus on keeping their children out of the spotlight: "We're not trying to keep something secret, but if you don't want it totally exploited by the press, you have to."

REVEALED: Mark Harmon's big decision that impacted his career as an actor

She added in an interview with Entertainment Today in 2016: "When you’re married, that's real life. And to go and plaster your kids [on social media]… I'm sorry. I'm not for that."

What else is there to know about Mark Harmon's family?

Mark comes from quite a well-known family. The A-list actor's parents were Tom Harmon and Elyse Knox. Tom was a professional football player, known sometimes as 'Old 98'. The football legend also later became an actor, broadcaster and sports commentator.

MORE: All we know about NCIS' Pauley Perrette and Mark Harmon's feud

Meanwhile, Mark's mother, Elyse, was a famous actress, model and fashion designer. At the height of her fame in the 1940s and 50s, she appeared in many films and TV shows such as The Bing Crosby Show. She was also a pin-up girl delete quotes during the war.

mark harmon mother elyse© Photo: Getty Images

Mark's mother Elyse Knox was a famous actor

Mark was clearly inspired by his parents' career, as he started out as an athlete before he chose to pursue acting.

Mark's two sisters, Kristin Nelson and Kelly Jean Harmon, were also actresses, who starred in shows such as Adam-12 and Bay City Blues. Sadly, in 2018, Kristin passed away after suffering a heart attack. Kelly now owns her own interior design company in Los Angeles.

NOW READ: Remembering the stars of NCIS who have sadly died

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