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Mark Harmon wasn’t just NCIS’s leading man; he was practically running a tight ship on set. Back in the day, when one of the actors called in sick, Harmon reportedly ignored the doctor’s orders and insisted they show up anyway. Talk about dedication—or was it just plain stubbornness?
While most bosses would send you a “get well soon” text, Harmon apparently had other ideas. The story quickly became one of those behind-the-scenes tales that had fans side-eyeing their favorite silver-haired hero. Guess being the boss on-screen and off came with its own set of rules.
Mark Harmon’s On-Set Rulebook: No Sick Days Allowed
“We decide when you’re sick.”That’s whatMark Harmonreportedly toldNCISco-star Cote de Pablo after she dared to follow her doctor’s orders.Ahan, Leroy Jethro Gibbs didn’t just solve crimes—he ran a tight ship on set too.
According to de Pablo, duringNCISSeason 3, she called in sick with a fever after her doctor insisted she stay home. But Harmon wasn’t having it. Speaking on theOff Duty: An NCIS Rewatchpodcast, de Pablo shared how a car was sent to fetch her, and once on set, Harmon—kind but firm—told her, “You come to set, we decide when you’re sick.”She narrated the story:
So I thought, ‘Well, if the doctor’s telling me that I can’t go to work, I must follow orders.’ So I made the grave mistake of staying home, and I was sent a car, and I went to set, and Mark came up to me, and — he was kind enough, but he was very stern, and he said, ‘You come to set, we decide when you’re sick.’ Something along the lines of that. But it was like, ‘You come to set, and then we will determine how we address this.’
Harmon’s strict approach to work wasn’t news toNCISfans or co-stars.Michael Weatherlyoften clashed with Harmon’s seriousness, preferring a lighter vibe. Pauley Perrette left the show entirely after a rumored fallout. And let’s not forget the whispers about Harmon’s role inNCIScreator Donald P. Bellisario’s exit.
Still, de Pablo admitted she understood Harmon’s perspective. But mentally, the experience stuck. On a show likeNCIS, the pressure was real. Acknowledging the unique challenges of TV production, she explained:
By the way, I don’t think I ever got sick again. But I think, mentally, it just did a trick on you. And when you think about it, you know, anyone in production can do a job, better, worse, whatever. But no one can play McGee [Sean Murray], no one can play DiNozzo [Michael Weatherly]. No one can play any of the characters. So you really had to be there, and that’s a lot of pressure.
It seems Mark Harmon’s leadership style left its mark—whether you liked it or not. One thing’s clear: Gibbs’s no-nonsense attitude wasn’t just a character trait; it was the rule of law onNCIS.
MarkHarmon Returns to theNCISUniverse withOrigins, Guided by Family and Legacy
Mark Harmoncouldn’t leaveNCISbehind for long. After 18 years as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Harmon exited as a series regular in 2021 but stayed connected. When his son, Sean Harmon, pitched the idea of a prequel, they took it straight to showrunners David J. North and Gina Lucita Monreal. Harmon calledNCIS: Originsa fresh story:
Is there a story to tell? Definitely. Is it going to be different than people know? Definitely. I couldn’t be more thrilled with Gina and David, who they represent and their history with his show. They were the best I ever worked with on that show, and I love what they’ve done and what they’ve worked very hard at and tried to push toward. My job is to attempt to protect that.
Set in 1991 after Gibbs’ tragic loss, Austin Stowell plays young Gibbs. While Sean Harmon portrayed the role in flashbacks, he opted to produce this time.
Mark Harmon: NCIS Permanently Replacing a Major Character “Made us all a little concerned”
NCISis available to watch on Hulu & Apple TV.
Heena Singh
Editor | Former Senior Writer
Articles Published :1457
Heena Singh is a Editor at FandomWire, spent the last two years making waves in entertainment journalism. With a knack for digging up blockbuster celebrity scoops and an uncanny nose for the latest buzz, Heena’s articles bring a fresh and fun perspective to life. When she’s not conquering writing challenges, you’ll find her curled up in bed, peacefully sleeping.
