During an oral history interview celebrating 20 years of “NCIS,” it was revealed that Harrison Ford’s name was considered for the lead role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs before Mark Harmon was cast.
While Harrison Ford’s name was thrown into the mix, it didn’t go beyond initial discussions because movie stars rarely transitioned to TV in the early 2000s. Mark Harmon ultimately landed the role and became iconic as Gibbs. His meeting with the show’s co-creator, Donald P. Bellisario, sealed the deal, and the rest is history. Mark Harmon played Gibbs until his departure in season 19.
