Mark Harmon, the beloved face of NCIS for nearly two decades, recently opened up about his time playing Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs—and what he shared left fans deeply moved. In a candid reflection, Harmon revealed that embodying Gibbs took a heavier toll on him than many realized. Behind the stoic demeanor and commanding presence was an actor carrying the emotional weight of one of television’s most complex characters.

Harmon admitted that some of the storylines involving Gibbs’ family—particularly the tragic backstory of his wife and daughter—were especially difficult to portray. The star confessed that filming those moments often stayed with him long after the cameras stopped rolling. “It wasn’t just acting,” Harmon explained. “When you live with a character for that long, their pain starts to feel like your own.”

He also shared how saying goodbye to Gibbs in Season 19 was one of the hardest decisions of his career. Harmon described the moment as “heartbreaking but necessary,” explaining that it felt right for Gibbs to finally find peace away from the chaos of Washington. Fans who had grown with Gibbs for nearly 20 years felt the same bittersweet mix of loss and closure.

Despite the emotional toll, Harmon says he is grateful for the journey. He credits the role not only for changing his career but also for giving him a “second family” on set. “It was a privilege,” Harmon said, “but also one of the most emotionally demanding chapters of my life.” His words are a reminder of the depth and humanity behind one of TV’s most iconic characters.