Shocking These A-Listers Almost Played Gibbs on NCIS!

One of the most iconic NCIS actors is Mark Harmon, known for his unforgettable portrayal of Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Mark brought Gibbs to life for 19 seasons before departing the hit procedural in 2021. The character remains so beloved that a younger version, played by Austin Stowell, now stars in the spin-off series NCIS: Origins.

Surprisingly, Mark wasn’t the first choice for the role. Former CBS casting head Peter Golden revealed that his name only surfaced after several other actors were considered.

Among those approached was Scott Glenn, who was in the running to play either Gibbs or medical examiner Donald “Ducky” Mallard—a role that ultimately went to David McCallum. Casting director Susan Bluestein shared with The Hollywood Reporter, “There was a lot of discussion about Scott Glenn, and ultimately, he passed. And other people passed for Gibbs.”

Another long-shot contender was none other than Indiana Jones star Harrison Ford. Though the NCIS team had high hopes, Golden admitted they knew it was unlikely. “When you sit down and have an initial conversation about casting, no name is off the table,” he explained. “Back in the early 2000s, the Harrison Fords of the world [rarely did TV]. But that didn’t mean you didn’t put them on the list.”

Despite early setbacks, the role of Gibbs found its perfect match in Mark Harmon, cementing his place as one of television’s most legendary characters.