Mark Harmon, the actor who brought Leroy Jethro Gibbs to life for nearly two decades on NCIS, recently opened up about his experiences behind the scenes. While fans have long admired Gibbs’ stoic intensity and sharp investigative mind, Harmon revealed that the role required a surprising amount of emotional and physical endurance. From early mornings on set to long hours shooting complex crime scenes, he described the work as both “challenging and incredibly rewarding.”

Harmon shared that portraying Gibbs meant carrying the weight of the character’s tragic past—particularly the loss of his wife and daughter—into each performance. Even in scenes that appeared simple on screen, Harmon often found himself deeply immersed in Gibbs’ emotional state, sometimes reflecting on similar feelings from his own life. He described the balance between showing restraint on camera while processing the character’s internal struggles as one of the most demanding aspects of the role.

On a lighter note, Harmon also spoke about the camaraderie among the cast and crew. He recounted countless moments of humor, pranks, and off-camera support that helped lighten the intensity of filming. Despite the heavy storylines and rigorous schedules, Harmon emphasized that these moments of connection were what made the long years on set enjoyable and kept the show’s energy alive.

Ultimately, Harmon says playing Gibbs was a career-defining experience that shaped him both professionally and personally. He acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the privilege of bringing such an iconic character to life, describing Gibbs as “a character I grew with, learned from, and will always carry with me.” His reflections provide fans with a rare glimpse into the dedication and humanity behind one of television’s most enduring crime drama icons.