Mark Harmon Had to ‘Kiss Many Frogs’ Before Finding Wife—Who Doesn’t Like the Same Things as Him

He found fame as NCIS’s Gibbs—but at home, Mark Harmon lives a quiet love story built on opposites, privacy, and 35 years of loyalty.

While many Hollywood couples struggle to make it past the headlines, Harmon and Dawber have quietly built something that’s lasted more than three decades. So, what’s their secret?
Turns out, it's simpler than you'd think.

"We Don’t Even Like the Same Things"

In a town where couples often bond over red carpets and industry gossip, Harmon and Dawber have leaned into something simpler: their differences.

“We don’t generally like the same things,” Harmon shared in a rare interview. “But that’s been healthy for us.”

It’s an honest reflection from someone best known for playing the no-nonsense Gibbs. But in real life, Harmon has never followed the Hollywood playbook—especially when it comes to love.

From "Kissing Frogs" to Lasting Love

Before Dawber, Harmon says he “had to kiss a lot of frogs.” The two met in 1986 at a mutual friend’s party, where Dawber—fresh off Mork & Mindy—was secretly sizing him up against her mental checklist.

“I wanted someone with warmth, intelligence, and a sense of humor,” she later shared. Harmon, it turned out, checked every box.

Their relationship was low-key from the start—no tabloid drama, no red carpet stunts. When breakup rumors popped up, they stayed quiet. When fans speculated about a secret wedding, they quietly proved them right—marrying in 1987 at a small ceremony with just family and close friends.

The Quiet Decision That Helped Them Stay Together

At the height of her fame, Dawber made a choice few in Hollywood ever do: she walked away.

“I wanted to drive my kids to school. Be there for birthdays. Just be mom,” she said.

While Harmon spent years building one of TV’s most recognizable roles on NCIS, Dawber chose home life. It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked.

“I don’t think two people can work all the time in show business and stay married,” she reflected.

Why You’ll Never See Their Kids on Instagram

The Harmons have stayed off the grid by today’s standards. No social media. No tell-all interviews. Just two sons—Sean, 37, and Ty, 32—who were raised away from cameras.

“Our kids aren’t into that world,” Harmon said. “And neither are we.”

Sean followed his parents into acting (even playing a young Gibbs on NCIS), while Ty works behind the scenes as a screenwriter. But both have kept a low profile—rare in an age where celebrity often runs in families.

What’s Kept Them Together All These Years

After 35 years, Harmon still wears his wedding ring with pride. Not for cameras—but because, as he puts it, “I’m proud of who I’m married to.”

In an industry where relationships are treated as disposable, their marriage is an exception. No drama. No scandals. Just two people who chose each other—and still do.

As Dawber once said: “We’re just normal people who happened to fall in love.”
And maybe that’s all there ever needed to be.

Mark Harmon Opens Up About Marriage in Rare Interview
In a rare sit-down with Larry King, Mark Harmon offered one of the few public glimpses into his marriage with Pam Dawber. When asked about love, commitment, and how they’ve lasted so long, his response was quiet, honest—and revealing.

“I love that you’re asking me about marriage,” Harmon said with a smile, before reflecting on the values that keep them grounded.