Fans of “NCIS” could watch TV knowing that Mark Harmon will always be there as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs for almost 20 years. Unexpectedly departing the procedural in Season 19, Harmon gave the remaining cast members full control to continue the venerable CBS program. Harmon, though, isn’t letting things get easy. Indeed, as he disclosed in an interview, he’s staying occupied in multiple capacities.
First and foremost, Harmon stayed on “NCIS” in some capacity. He maintains a small stake in that universe as an executive producer for Season 20. His statement to the publication was, “I left the show, I didn’t retire.”His departure also created new opportunities, such as working on a passion project to publish “Ghosts of Honolulu: A Japanese Spy, a Japanese American Spy Hunter, and the Untold Story of Pearl Harbor,” a historical nonfiction book for general readers.
Harmon wrote the book with Leon Carroll Jr., who worked as an actual NCIS special agent for 20 years before becoming a technical advisor for the long-running program. Even with his new project, Harmon is taking his time on “NCIS” and applying it to his next endeavor. He continued, “I’ve always thought you can learn from history. Things tend to repeat themselves.”
Mark Harmon has more time these days to explore other interests
No one would blame Mark Harmon, who’s 72 years old, if he wanted to take things easy after coming off the immense success of “NCIS.” But the actor continues to buck trends by showing he still has a lot of passion and still has stories he wants to tell. While “NCIS” provided consistent, reliable work, it also meant he was often too tired to do anything else. He explained to People, “I think for the longest time I was just tired, to be honest. My workload was heavy every week. I took it seriously, and there were a lot of people there who did the same. I miss the camaraderie, the lunches at the tables and hearing about people’s families and what they’re doing away from the show. But it’s a job.”
Harmon’s former coworkers probably miss working with him as much as he does, even though he occasionally misses the “NCIS” cast. His co-stars sung Harmon’s praises and expressed how much they enjoyed working with him during the length of the show. These days, though, Harmon’s ability to spend more time with his family is what matters most. He’s had time to relax and focus on his new book, saying, “I have time to do whatever I want to.” I can arrange for the boys and I to go out to dinner. I never wake up without thinking how blessed I am.”
“Ghosts of Honolulu: A Japanese Spy, a Japanese American Spy Hunter, and the Untold Story of Pearl Harbor” comes out November 14. After that, anything’s possible for Mark Harmon.