Mark Harmon To 'Quit' Retirement? NCIS Star Has 'Gas Left In The Tank' For Big Screen

The whispers about his health have been silenced by a stunning resurgence. Mark Harmon, the star who defined television heroism for two decades as Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS, was recently described by sources as 'looking like death warmed over,' a shocking personal decline that worried his closest friends.

Yet, the 74-year-old actor has now staged an impressive, life-affirming comeback, spurred on by the one thing he thought he could live without: the bright lights of Hollywood.

The catalyst for this transformation was a return to his old turf. Harmon, who left NCIS four years ago, reprised his iconic role for the first-ever NCIS and NCIS: Origins crossover event on 11 November 2025. This brief but powerful return reawakened a deep-seated passion, completely overturning his self-imposed retirement.

'It's made him realise how much he misses being in front of the camera,' an insider told sources. 'He had such a wonderful time being back on set, and now he's saying he wants to do more acting.'

Harmon, who starred in NCIS for 18 seasons, remains one of television's most recognisable stars, and his comeback has sent a jolt of excitement through fans and colleagues alike. This is far more than a professional whim; it is a personal decision to reclaim his vitality.

The Unexpected Burden of Downtime: Why Mark Harmon Was 'Bored'

Harmon's departure from NCIS in 2021 was attributed at the time to fatigue after two decades of intense scheduling, a desire to spend more time at home with his wife and family, and a feeling that his character's story had reached a natural conclusion. However, life away from the set proved significantly more challenging than the star, or anyone close to him, had expected.

The unexpected struggles with downtime forced those closest to him to intervene. His wife of 38 years, actress Pam Dawber, 67, was reportedly watching him struggle with the lack of structure and purpose. 'Mark tried to enjoy the downtime, but the truth is, he was bored out of his mind,' the source revealed. 'He misses the routine, the crew, the fans, the whole buzz of being on set'.

This feeling of ennui began to take a visible toll on his health and appearance. The insider detailed how the actor 'didn't appreciate all the noise over his health and told people it was a lot of fuss over nothing. But deep down he knew he looked terrible, and that all the junk food and lack of exercise had caught up to him. He wasn't taking care of himself hygiene-wise and didn't even bother to trim his beard.'

The visible decline in his physical state forced his loved ones to act. Led by Dawber, 'Jillie and a small group of trusted friends staged a mini-intervention', a source claimed. They delivered a clear message of tough love: 'They told him this was no way to live and that he deserved to take care of himself.'

The pressure from his loved ones worked. Harmon began cutting back on the junk food, committed to exercise, and started physical therapy. The simple act of better self-care and grooming, including trimming his beard, 'has done wonders for his confidence.'

Dawber, in particular, has seen a huge shift. 'Pam will be the first to tell you she's glad he's getting out of the house again!' the source added, noting that Harmon's return to acting has lifted both his and his wife's spirits.

Mark Harmon's New Focus: Exploring Roles Beyond The NCIS Universe

The actor's lifestyle overhaul has clearly worked wonders. Friends report he now eats healthier, exercises regularly, and enjoys more energy. The recent pictures, showing him looking confident and alert, confirm that he is back to his sharpest self, signalling a promising outlook for his second act.

While he may return for more guest roles on NCIS or its spin-offs, Harmon is actively considering expanding his acting horizons. According to insiders, he is exploring opportunities beyond his most famous franchise. 'He wants to stretch himself, so he's even started looking at projects outside the NCIS universe—he's more interested in doing movies,' the source confirmed.

Harmon's experience working on the 2003 film Freaky Friday alongside Jamie Lee Curtis—where he played Ryan, the fiancé of Curtis's character, Tess—has reportedly encouraged him to pursue more big-screen projects. Though he has a strong history in television, the lure of less demanding, more creatively varied film work is strong.

'Mark says he's got plenty of gas left in the tank and clearly there's a whole legion of fans who still want to watch him,' the source revealed. While he is not seeking the '18-year grind' of a network television series, 'he's open to the right project to help keep him busy and inspired.' Harmon turns 75 next year, but the desire to perform remains strong.

The insider concluded with a telling prediction: 'He's turning 75 next year, but truth is he's just not ready to retire, he probably never will be.' His brief retirement served as a clear reminder of what he enjoys most: connecting with audiences who have followed him for decades.