In an interview about his most recent historical nonfiction book, Mark Harmon shared the story of how he first got married to Pam Dawber, the woman he has been married to for 36 years. He recalled how, at their initial meeting, a mutual friend was meant to arrange for him and Dawber to go on a group date:
“Can I just give you a call? Can I just acquire a number and call people on it?
In the 1880s, the most popular couple on TV was Pam Dawber, the actress from My Sister Sam, and Mark Harmon, the 1989 People’s Se*iest Man Alive. In 1987, they tied the knot in a private ceremony attended only by close friends and family. We’re not attempting to conceal anything, adds Pam Dawber.
Mark Harmon’s cold call in 1986 was received by Pam Dawber but went to her answering machine.
He proceeded to leave a message for Pam not knowing that his future wife was screening the call. He said:
‘We don’t have to (all) go out. We could get a cup of coffee or something.’ Mark Harmon then revealed Pam Dawber’s reaction to his message;
“She was monitoring, and she picked up. We went out that night, and we’re together ever since.” Despite being the “it” couple, the two were private about their life, to which Pam commented during an interview;
“We’re not trying to keep something secret, but if you don’t want it totally exploited by the press, you have to.” In 2016, she told Fox News that it’s important for her and Harmon to leave the family out of the spotlight;
“Notice that the magazines don’t feature us. Married people live actual lives. I apologize. And to go plaster your kids. I disagree with that.
Mark declared himself the Sexiest Man Alive and remarked,
“I’m a true monogamist by nature, and I’m content with my current level of solitude. I want my marriage to be everything this community says it cannot be when I tie the knot. I don’t enjoy playing around.
Mark Harmon answered, “What’s the secret to a happy marriage?”
“We laugh. You got to laugh, and you got to talk and communicate. That’s the fun part. Do we sit and talk about it? No. Maybe you just get fortunate and find the right one. We share many things and yet we’re really different.”f
We were both in our thirties when we tied the knot, so hopefully our earlier foolishness is forgiven. That’s probably the best explanation of the key I can find. In 2016, Pam Dawber made a family-life comment, telling Fox News that she took a more than ten-year break to prioritize her family:
“I don’t believe that two individuals can remain married and perform in show industry full-time. Driving my kids to school was my desire. I fulfilled my desire to attend their birthday parties, provide cupcakes and donuts, participate in school events, and all of that.”
She added:
“I got to teach in their art class, and so it was a different life then. And I was very happy to do it.” Today, the couple live a quiet life in California. They have two children, both in their thirties. Sean is an actor, while Ty is a screenwriter.