Rocky Caroll and Mark Harmon worked together on ‘Chicago Hope,’ long before they co-stared on ‘NCIS.’
Sometimes the drama that plays out on screen can’t match the fascinating stories that go on behind the scenes of popular television shows. In NCIS, the actors’ friendship frequently reflects the camaraderie of their on-screen personalities. Rocky Carroll, who is most known for playing Assistant Director Leon Vance on the show, recently revealed the unexpected circumstance that led to his casting. His connection to a well-known individual made all the difference, demonstrating the significance of business connections in the entertainment industry.
Rocky Carroll admits he only knew 1 person connected to ‘NCIS’
Although Mark Harmon plays a significant role in NCIS’ popularity, his contributions to the show go beyond what is seen on screen. In fact, he even managed to cast one of his pals in the program. During the fifth season, Carroll joined the popular police drama as Assistant Director Leon Vance. He was given the chance to reunite with a former coworker by signing up for the well-liked series. Carroll reportedly disclosed to Express that Harmon is the reason he originally received the role of Vance on NCIS.
“I tell people all the time I only knew one person connected to NCIS, but it was the right person to know, and that was Mark Harmon,” Carroll shared.
Earlier in their professional lives, Harmon and Carroll collaborated on the popular series Chicago Hope, where they developed a friendship. When auditioning for NCIS, Carroll’s friendship with Harmon was all he needed to get his foot in the door.
Mark Harmon may have helped him get the part on ‘NCIS,’ this is how he kept it
In the beginning, Carroll was only set to be in four episodes of NCIS. He thought it’d be a brief stint and never expected to become a staple on the show. While Harmon helped him get the part, Carroll credited the fans for keeping him on the series.
“It could have been brilliantly written, brilliantly performed, brilliantly shot, but if the audience didn’t respond to the character, it would’ve ended after four episodes,” he explained.
Before Carroll, Alan Dale and Lauren Holly had both played the role of NCIS Director. But Carroll wasn’t a stranger to the network. He’d been part of many projects there, from comedies to dramas. Looking back, Carroll recognized he was joining something special and was content without the pressure of being the lead. As time passed, his character appeared in various spinoffs, including NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans. He even sat in the director’s chair for a few episodes of the core show.
A closer look at Rocky Carroll’s friendship with Mark Harmon
NCIS has been a fan-favorite since its debut in 2003. The palpable chemistry between the actors is one of the driving forces that keeps viewers hooked. Harmon, of course, has taken a hiatus from the series, which must have stirred up some emotions from the rest of the crew. This is especially true for Carroll, who continues in his role as NCIS Director Leon Vance.
Carroll and Harmon have a genuine friendship off-screen as well. Their friendship began throughout their acting careers in the 1990s. As they continued to collaborate while working together on the NCIS set, the two grew even closer. It’s not surprising that their true friendship enhanced their on-screen dynamic given that they have appeared together on NCIS for more than ten years. Carroll recently recalled how much they enjoyed their interactions during filming. Carroll, according to Looper, said sarcastically, “It’s always a bonus when your allies are in high places.”