'NCIS' Star Mark Harmon's Most Memorable Throwback Photos

A look back at the NCIS star — and PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive in 1986 — through the years 

"Up On The Roof" Episode 9 -- Pictured: Mark Harmon as Dr. Robert 'Bobby' Caldwell
Mark Harmon on St. Elsewhere. Photo:

Jack Hamilton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Happy Birthday, Mark Harmon! PEOPLE's former Sexiest Man Alive — and a sexiest man alive to many fans — turns 72 on Sept. 2, 2023.

Celebrate with a look back on his life and career, including everything from dreamy throwbacks to sweet quotes about his longtime love and family life.

01 of 18

Taking a Ride on the Love Boat

LOVE BOAT - "The Wedding: Caroly and Doug's Story/Peter and Alicia's Story/Julie's Story/Buddy and Portia's Story: Part 2" which aired on September 15, 1979. (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) MARK HARMON;LISA HARTMAN
ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

In 1979, Harmon sported an oh-so-'70s look while filming The Love Boat.

Harmon told Variety of his early acting days, "In the beginning, if you needed someone to take his shirt off and kiss the pretty girl, that was me. If you needed someone to say, 'Ma'am, can I see your license?' and get shot, that was me."

02 of 18

To Beard or Not to Beard?

Mark Harmon (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Who doesn't love a rugged look? Harmon sported some scruff while at the 1981 Eddie Awards.

03 of 18

So Dreamy

Mark Harmon looking into the eyes of Morgan Fairchild in a scene from the television movie 'The Dream Merchants', 1980. (Photo by Columbia Pictures Television/Getty Images)
Columbia Pictures Television/Getty

Harmon looked dapper while starring in the 1980 miniseries The Dream Merchants alongside Morgan Fairchild.

04 of 18

Making History

ST. ELSEWHERE -- "Up On The Roof" Episode 9 -- Pictured: Mark Harmon as Dr. Robert 'Bobby' Caldwell (Photo by Jack Hamilton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Jack Hamilton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

From 1983 to 1986, Harmon made everyone swoon as the handsome plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Caldwell on the medical drama St. Elsewhere. His character's arc made history when he became one of the first major TV characters on network television to contract and die of AIDS.

Harmon told Variety of his role, "At the time it was really risky, but years later it was something people talk about and remember. What they were saying about that character was simply not being done at that time."

05 of 18

Going Swimmingly

Mark Harmon "Battle of the Network Stars"
Barry King/WireImage

In 1984, Harmon sported a Speedo while competing in Battle of the Network Stars.

06 of 18

Lights, Camera, Action!

Mark Harmon and Michael Schoeffling in a scene from the film 'Let's Get Harry', 1986. (Photo by TriStar/Getty Images)
TriStar/Getty

Harmon starred in the 1986 action film Let's Get Harry, playing the titular Harry, who is kidnapped by a drug lord in Colombia.

07 of 18

The Sexiest Man Alive

People Magazine - Sexiest Man Alive cover 1.27.1986 Mark Harmon

That same year, Harmon was named PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive, and it's no mystery why he was chosen!

08 of 18

Throwing in the Towel

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 18 -- Pictured: Mark Harmon during the opening monologue on May 9, 1987 -- Photo by: Alan Singer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
Alan Singer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Proving he's up for a challenge, he hosted Saturday Night Live in 1987, showing up for his opening monologue in nothing but a towel.

09 of 18

Strut Your Stuff

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 18 -- Pictured: Mark Harmon during 'The Sexiest Man Alive 1986' skit on May 9, 1987 -- Photo by: Alan Singer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
Alan Singer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

While appearing on SNL, Harmon joked, "It's been fun doing this show the last week, except for one problem. See, as the week went on, I noticed in every sketch that I was wearing less clothing than everyone else and began to fear I was being used, you know? It's this problem I've had since I won PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive in 1986."

10 of 18

To Have and to Hold

Pam Dawber and Mark Harmon
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

In 1987, Harmon wed Mork & Mindy actress Pam Dawber. The pair have been together for 35-plus years, though they're notoriously private about their relationship. Dawber told PEOPLE that year, "We're not trying to keep something secret, but if you don't want it totally exploited by the press, you have to."

11 of 18

Just the Two of Us

Mark Harmon and Pam Dawber (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Mark echoed those sentiments in 2017, when he told TV Insider, "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."

12 of 18

Happy Together

Pam Dawber and Mark Harmon during Premiere of "Dr. Dolittle" in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

The pair welcomed sons Sean and Ty in 1988 and 1992, respectively.

13 of 18

Legends Only

SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH -- Air Date 10/01/1989 -- Pictured: (l-r) Elizabeth Taylor as Alexandra Del Lago, Mark Harmon as Chance Wayne -- Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank
NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Harmon starred alongside legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor in Sweet Bird of Youth in 1989.

14 of 18

Play Ball

Mark Harmon
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Harmon played in the 1989 Hollywood All Star Charity Baseball Game (and his look was a total home run).

15 of 18

Family Film

Sarah Wayne, Mark Harmon, and Joshua Jackson standing together in a scene from the film 'Magic In The Water', 1994. (Photo by TriStar/Getty Images)
TriStar/Getty

Harmon acted alongside a young Joshua Jackson (right) and Sarah Wayne (left) in the 1994 movie Magic in the Water.

16 of 18

TV Time

LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 10: "Once A Hero" - When suspicious activity surrounds the death of a decorated Marine veteran, the NCIS team (Mark Harmon) works to clear his name, on NCIS, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Cliff Lipson/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images)
Cliff Lipson/CBS Photo Archive via Getty

In 2003, Harmon would begin his time on NCIS as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, where he remained for 18 seasons before departing the show in October 2021.

17 of 18

We Mustache You a Question

Mark Harmon during 58th Annual Creative Arts Emmy Awards - Red Carpet at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic for Academy of Television Arts and Sciences)
Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic

Are you a big fan of Harmon's 2006 'stache? We definitely are.

18 of 18

Suited Up

Mark Harmon
SGranitz/WireImage

In conclusion, the term "silver fox" might have been invented for Mark Harmon. That's all.

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