How ‘The West Wing’ Helped Mark Harmon Land His Iconic ‘NCIS’ Role

by

Mark Harmon, who has a long acting career, is primarily recognized for his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS. Interestingly, if not for his four appearances on The West Wing in 2002, where he played Secret Service Agent Simon Donovan, it’s possible that we wouldn’t have known Harmon as Gibbs.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I must admit that when it came to casting Gibbs in NCIS, Harmon wasn’t the first name that popped into my mind. Initially, he wasn’t my top pick either. However, fate had other plans. In 2002, while engrossed in The West Wing, I stumbled upon a striking actor who caught my eye – none other than People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive of 1986. This unexpected encounter subtly altered my perspective on the actor. With a leap of faith, I cast Harmon for the role, little did I know that this decision would prove to be far more complex and challenging than I ever could have foreseen.

Harmon’s journey to become the star of NCIS is closely tied to his experience working on The West Wing, as this television series laid the foundation for his acting abilities that ultimately led to his prominent role in NCIS and significantly influenced the development of the show.

Mark Harmon Appeared as Secret Service Agent Simon Donovan in Season 3 of ‘The West Wing‘

In four episodes of The West Wing, Mark Harmon portrayed Secret Service Agent Simon Donovan, tasked with protecting White House Press Secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney) from a persistent stalker. The dynamic between Donovan and Cregg was captivating to observe. The stalker was eventually caught, leading to a heartfelt kiss between them as the sexual tension had been escalating. Regrettably for Donovan, he stumbled into a robbery in progress at a Korean grocery store. Tragically, he lost his life after being shot, a fact that deeply saddened Cregg.

Harmon’s depiction of the stoic Secret Service Agent garnered him a nomination for an Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. This performance also caught the attention of the show’s co-creator, Donald Bellisario, who was searching for his ideal character to portray Gibbs. He shared this during an interview with Entertainment Weekly back in 2006.

I observed an impressively composed demeanor, a silent power – exactly what I was seeking. Leroy seems to be the kind of person Mark would appreciate. Mark tends to have that ‘jock’ mindset – he faces challenges head-on, no matter how difficult they may be.

Mark Harmon and Don Bellisario’s Relationship Didn’t Last

Back in 2003, when NCIS graced our screens, I found myself stepping into the shoes of Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Interestingly enough, I wasn’t the original pick for this role, as Charles Floyd Johnson, the executive producer of NCIS, revealed. My audition significantly shaped the show’s development, carving a unique path for its success.

Initially, Mark Harmon left quite an impact. After initial trials, the first half-hour performed exceptionally well, leading CBS’s head, Les Moonves, to suggest, “Let’s make the entire series about investigations.” That’s how the concept was developed.

Other potential actors were thought of for the series, such as Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, and Andrew McCarthy. However, NCIS casting director Susan Bluestein had her sights set on Harmon from the beginning as she had previously worked with him in 1991. Although Bluestein believed Harmon possessed the necessary “weight” for the character, Bellisario required additional persuasion. After a meeting between Harmon and Bellisario, as Paul Golden from CBS stated, they got along well, and Mark agreed to participate in the show.

Initially, Bellisario and Harmon seemed to be on good terms, but their relationship deteriorated significantly within a few seasons. By 2007, they were in disagreement over the production of the show, with Harmon even considering leaving. The conflict between Mark Harmon and Donald Bellisario, co-creator and executive producer of NCIS, nearly led to the show’s cancellation. According to sources, Harmon found Bellisario’s management style chaotic and felt he was trying to control every aspect of the production. A source further explained that script pages would often be sent to set at the last minute, causing havoc in Harmon’s personal life as he struggled to balance work and family responsibilities.

Read More

2025-04-14 06:32