American actor Mark Harmon is best known for his leading role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS, as well as the lovable, fatherly figure Ryan in Freaky Friday.
While Mark provides a warm, steady presence on screen, he is also a grounded husband and father to his own family off-screen.
Although Mark, 74, grew up with parents in the public eye – his mother, Elyse Knox, was an actress, while his father, Tom Harmon, was a football player and broadcaster – he and his actress wife Pam Dawber (Mork & Mindy) tend to keep their private life out of the spotlight.
© Getty ImagesPam Dawber and Mark Harmon at the Stuntmen’s Association of Motion Pictures 52nd Annual Awards Dinner in 2013
Speaking to TV Insider in 2017, Mark explained: “It’s not even a choice. It’s who we are. We stay home. A lot. I’m not a Twitter guy or a Facebook guy. Our sons aren’t into that either. Pam and I have both made a living in this business, and still, there’s a part of that that’s just not natural.”
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The Hollywood couple tied the knot in 1987 and are parents to two sons, Sean and Ty, both of whom have followed in their parents’ footsteps into the showbusiness world. Keep reading to find out more about Mark Harmon’s children – including one who even cameoed as him on NCIS…
Who is Sean Harmon?
Mark’s eldest son is Sean, 38, who was born on 25 April 1988 in Burbank, California. After starting out as a stunt coordinator and performer, Sean followed in his father’s footsteps – quite literally – by becoming an actor.
“Both of my parents are actors and my grandmother before my dad,” Sean told Stunt Hustle. “I went to film school here and have pretty much wanted to be involved in the industry for as long as I can remember.”
© AFP via Getty ImagesSean is a father of one
In 2008, Sean even appeared as a younger version of his father’s character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, in flashback episodes of season six of NCIS. He also served as an executive producer alongside his father on the spin-off series NCIS: Origins.
Reflecting on his son’s career, Mark told Entertainment Tonight: “I’m proud of him taking his work seriously and how he approaches being an actor – not just on this show, [but] just what he has chosen to try to do in his life’s work.”
© AFP via Getty ImagesSean and his father at a CBS event in 2024
Now working behind the scenes in production, Sean is also a father to his son, Cooper, whom he welcomed with his producer partner Courtney Prather in May 2025. Courtney announced the happy news on Instagram, writing: “1 month with you. Cooper Knox Harmon ~ 5.22.25.”
Marking her husband’s birthday over the weekend, Courtney shared a picture of Sean with their son, with a caption that read: “Happy birthday to Coop’s dada, my husband, for real best friend, renovation partner in crime and loml. 10 years, 1 house bought and renovated for one million years, 3 cats, 1 baby and and so many laughs.”
Who is Ty Harmon?
Mark’s younger son is Ty, 33, who was born in LA four years after Sean on 25 June 1992. Like his family, Ty works in the entertainment industry, but this time behind the scenes as a screenwriter.
Ty teamed up with his brother on a short film called Catholic Schoolgirl Chainsaw Showdown in 2012, and has credits on Masters of the Air, Predator: Badlands, Venom, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Thor: Love and Thunder. His latest project has been on Apple TV’s sci-fi series For All Mankind, starring Joel Kinnaman and Sean Kaufman.
© Getty ImagesMark and Pam’s youngest son tends to keep out of the spotlight
While Ty tends to keep his private life out of the spotlight, he is married to his wife of five years, Madeline Harmon, whom he has shared photos of on Instagram.
Mark consistently sings his son’s praises, telling Entertainment Tonight: “I’m proud of both our boys, and they work hard at what they do and I’m proud that they get up in the morning and try to do that every day.”