Mark Harmon opens up about departing his role as Leroy Gibbs on NCIS

Mark Harmon breaks his silence about leaving NCIS after almost 20 years as he shares that Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs is ‘not retired’ but living in Alaska

Mark Harmon has broken his silence about leaving NCIS after 20 years.

The 70-year-old actor – who starred as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs for nearly two decades – told Entertainment Tonight he was happy with his character.

‘Plot-wise, this character has taken the path that it did. I thought it was honest and OK,’ he said.

Harmon went on to state that the Special Agent was not deceased and left the door open for a potential return to the program. The performer said: ‘I’m not retired…the character is living in Alaska as far as I know.’

Opening up: Mark Harmon spoke about his departure from NCIS in one of the special featurettes in the upcoming season 19 DVD release

Harmon began by noting that he had greatly enjoyed portraying Agent Gibbs over the years.

‘What has always drawn me here is the character I play and to keep it fresh and to keep it challenging,’ he stated.

The Emmy Award-nominated performer also expressed his approval of Gibbs’ actions on the program. 

‘Plot-wise, this character has taken the path that it did. I thought it was honest and OK,’ he said.

Grateful: Harmon began by noting that he had greatly enjoyed portraying Agent Gibbs over the years; he is seen in 2017

Harmon went on to state that the Special Agent was not deceased and left the door open for a potential return to the program. 

The performer said: ‘I’m not retired…the character is living in Alaska as far as I know.’

The actor initially portrayed Gibbs during two episodes of the police procedural program JAG.

He went on to reprise the role in NCIS, which served as a spinoff from the older series.

Nothing solid: Harmon went on to state that the Special Agent was not deceased and left the door open for a potential return to the program

The performer notably served as one of the long-running show’s executive producers.

Harmon remained with the program until 2021, when his character moved to Alaska at the end of an episode titled Great Wide Open.

At the time, Steven D. Binder provided a statement to Entertainment Tonight to express his feelings about the actor’s departure.

Heading out: Harmon remained with the program until 2021, when his character moved to Alaska at the end of an episode titled Great Wide Open

‘As an executive producer and dear friend, Mark continues to be an integral part of the fabric of the show. Our north star has always been staying true to our characters, and that truth has always guided…where those characters go,’ he said.

The showrunner went on to note that Harmon’s character may make future appearances on the program. 

‘So regarding the future of Gibbs, as longtime fans of the show may have noticed over the years… never count Leroy Jethro Gibbs out,’ he stated. 

Leaving the door open: The showrunner went on to note that Harmon’s character may make future appearances on the program

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