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If you’re looking for a scandal, you’ve come to the wrong place. In a town where marriages often have the shelf life of an open carton of milk, Mark Harmon and Pam Dawber are basically the ultimate anomaly. People ask all the time: are mark harmon and pam dawber still married? The answer is a resounding yes. As of early 2026, they are coming up on 39 years of marriage.
That is almost four decades. In Hollywood years, that’s basically a century.
They don’t do the red carpet thing often. You won't find them "clapping back" at trolls on Instagram because, honestly, they aren't even on social media. They live a life that feels remarkably... normal. While other A-listers are busy documenting their green juice on TikTok, Harmon and Dawber are more likely to be found at a local flea market or working on their ranch. It’s a deliberate choice. It's how they survived.
The Secret to the Mark Harmon and Pam Dawber Marriage
So, how do they do it? Mark Harmon has been asked this roughly a million times. Usually, he just shrugs and mentions "maturity." They were both in their mid-30s when they tied the knot on March 21, 1987. Harmon once told People that getting married later in life meant they had already done all the "stupid stuff" that usually sinks younger couples.
They weren't kids looking for fame. They were established stars who knew who they were.
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Why They Disappeared from the Spotlight
Pam Dawber was a massive star in the '80s. Between Mork & Mindy and My Sister Sam, she was everywhere. But after she married Mark and they had their two sons, Sean and Ty, she made a choice that shocked the industry. She walked away.
She didn't want to be a part-time mom. She saw what the "fame machine" did to families, and she wasn't having it. "I did everything you can do in this business, and then I had children and it was like, 'I'm not going to chase this anymore,'" Dawber once explained. It’s rare to see that kind of perspective. Most people in Hollywood would sell their soul for one more season of a hit show, but she just wanted to go to school plays and soccer games.
Harmon stayed in the grind, of course, eventually leading NCIS for nearly two decades. But even during his peak "Gibbs" years, the family remained a closed unit. They don't invite cameras into their home. They don't do "at home with the stars" magazine spreads. That barrier between the public and their private life is the "secret sauce."
What Are They Up To in 2026?
If you haven't seen them lately, it’s because they like it that way. However, Mark has been surprisingly busy recently.
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Even after "retiring" from the main NCIS cast, he hasn't exactly slowed down. He’s currently promoting his latest book, Ghosts of Sicily, which is set to drop in April 2026. It’s the third installment in his historical non-fiction series about the Office of Naval Intelligence. He’s also been heavily involved as an executive producer and narrator for NCIS: Origins, a prequel series that stars his son, Sean Harmon, as a younger version of Jethro Gibbs.
It’s a family affair now.
Pam makes the occasional rare appearance, like her 2021 guest arc on NCIS where she played investigative journalist Marcie Warren. It was a treat for fans to see them on screen together, but don't expect it to become a regular thing. She’s much more focused on her philanthropic work these days, specifically with organizations like Village for Vets.
Dealing With the Rumor Mill
Every few years, the tabloids try to cook up a story about them "living separate lives" or heading for a "billion-dollar divorce." It’s almost always nonsense. Because they are so private, the gossip rags fill the silence with whatever will sell copies at the grocery store checkout.
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In reality, they are often spotted doing the most mundane things. Just last year, they were photographed at a Santa Monica flea market. No security detail. No fancy outfits. Just two people who have been together since the Reagan administration looking for vintage finds.
Lessons From Their Longevity
What can we actually learn from them? It’s not just about "staying together." It’s about how they’ve managed to keep their sanity in a crazy industry.
- Privacy is a Currency: They treat their private life like it's worth more than a paycheck. If you don't invite the world into your house, the world can't burn it down.
- Priorities Change: Pam’s decision to step back wasn't a "sacrifice" in her eyes; it was a trade-up.
- Communication Matters: Harmon has often said that "you've got to laugh" and talk things out. Simple? Yes. Easy? Not always.
If you were worried that another Hollywood couple had bitten the dust, you can breathe easy. Mark Harmon and Pam Dawber are still very much a team. They’ve proven that you can be famous and still have a marriage that actually works, provided you’re willing to keep the rest of the world at arm's length.
Next Steps for Fans: If you want to keep up with Mark's latest work, keep an eye out for Ghosts of Sicily in bookstores this spring. You can also catch the latest episodes of NCIS: Origins on CBS to see how the Harmon family legacy is continuing through their son, Sean.