‘He Has The Mentality Of Team’: NCIS’ Rocky Carroll Explains Why Mark Harmon Was So Integral To Keeping The Cast And Crew Motivated

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Following their collaboration on the medical series “Chicago Hope”, Rocky Carroll and Mark Harmon teamed up once more in 2008, when Harmon joined the cast of “NCIS” as Leon Vance during Season 5. The duo continued to share the screen on the hit CBS crime drama (available for streaming with a Paramount+ subscription) until early fall 2021, when Harmon departed in the fourth episode of Season 19. Over three and a half years later, Carroll reflects warmly on their time together on “NCIS”, as demonstrated by his recollection to TopMob about how Harmon, playing Leroy Jethro Gibbs, went to considerable efforts to keep the cast and crew inspired.

Speaking about an incident Carroll mentioned last year where Mark Harmon played a prank on him during filming of one of his first NCIS episodes, I inquired if the actor had any other funny stories connected to Harmon from set. Upon my interview with him, he began by sharing:

Essentially, the narrative provides a summary, and it ties back to the question posed earlier. When engaging in such a role, it hardly feels like work because you become part of a collective unit. People often forget Mark Harmon was a quarterback, demonstrating his ingrained team spirit. It’s not just about performance on the field or during filming; it’s also about camaraderie off the field. The question is: what kind of atmosphere do you cultivate in your own locker room? Locker rooms are more than just a place for practicalities, they’re where we engage in playful activities like pranks, fostering a sense of motivation and unity among team members.

For more than two decades, Leroy Jethro Gibbs was the main character on NCIS, with Mark Harmon taking on extra responsibilities when he became an executive producer in Season 6. Given this role, it’s understandable that Harmon adopted a leadership mentality during that time. Merely acting his character and providing input or advice for each episode wasn’t sufficient for him. He also had to maintain the cast and crew’s spirits and ensure everyone was working harmoniously as a single unit – similar to how football players must work together seamlessly as a team. Rocky Carroll added:

Occasionally, long days stretch up to 12 hours as you’re filming a scene at your own location, and right now we’re in the fourth hour of this specific scene. That’s why it’s important to enjoy each other’s company and have some fun together – otherwise, these can become quite tough days. The atmosphere that he fostered, the camaraderie he built, has always been positive and beneficial for everyone involved. The crew members take pleasure in each other’s company, with many practical jokers on both sides of the camera. Fortunately, our job allows us to incorporate this fun element into our workdays, making it easier for people to stick around even after 22 years.

Rocky Carroll continues to find joy in working on NCIS even after many years, expressing his enthusiasm during our conversation about extending his 15+-year run. He enjoys playing Leon Vance and occasionally directing episodes. If there wasn’t this camaraderie, it’s likely he would have left NCIS a long time ago, and the show might not still be airing. Luckily, that’s not the case, so look forward to seeing more of Vance when NCIS Season 23 debuts in the fall on the 2025 TV schedule.

Regarding Mark Harmon, he continues to serve as an executive producer for NCIS, and also fulfills those responsibilities on NCIS: Origins. He provides narration for the prequel and makes a brief on-screen appearance in the opening two-part episode. Both series air every Monday evening on CBS.

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2025-02-27 05:07