‘NCIS’ Star Mark Harmon Explains The Secret To His Successful 31-Year Marriage To Pam Dawber

Jun 26, 2019

Hollywood is well known for quick weddings, short marriages, and nasty divorces. Many couples don't even make it 24 hours before someone files for a divorce or annulment. Despite this reality, there are some couples who make it. Mark Harmon and Pam Dawber are a great example of this. They've been married for over 30 years.

One of the main factors responsible for the success of their relationship is the couple's strict privacy policy. In a recent interview with People Magazine, Harmon gave a rare look into his relationship and family life.

Pam, 67, married Harmon in 1987 at the age of 36. 

“We were both in our thirties when we got married, so hopefully the stupid stuff we did earlier,” he said. “That’s probably the closest I have to what the key is.”

Both Mark and Pam are veterans to the world of Hollywood. Mark has starred in the TV series, NCIS, for over 15 seasons. He has been acting his entire adult life. Pam is the well-noted co-star of Mork and Mindy, the TV series that launched Robin Williams career.

In addition to maturity, Mark said that he and Pam are quite different from each other. Opposites apparently do attract, at least in their case.

They don't always agree on things, either. Back when they were dating, Mark had the chance to star in the comedy, Summer School, directed by Carl Reiner. Pam advised against Mark taking the role. However, Mark wanted to work with Reiner. It was a movie that helped him move to the next stage in his career. Disagreement over such a decision could tear some couples apart. Not Mark and Pam. They respect each other's opinions and decisions.

“I wanted to do it just because I was excited to work with Carl Reiner,” he says. “That was a game changer for me, like, ‘He thinks I can do this?!’ and that meant a lot. But Pam said, ‘Don’t do that. Don’t do this movie.’ We don’t generally like the same thing, and that’s been healthy for us, actually.”

Mark and Pam are proud to be the parents of Sean, age 30, and Ty, age 24. Everyone in the family, including their sons, keep a low profile from the public. They don't make common appearances and don't often talk about each other in interviews.

During the interview, Harmon was asked about a peculiar ring he was wearing. 

“We think it was my grandfather’s, because it was in a box of things that my dad left.” he said. “I wear it or a few others I have because when I’m not shooting, I like to make sure I have something on my ring finger, because I’m proud to be married, and I’m proud of who I’m married to,” he says. “I’m just so proud of her.”

Now that's a husband anyone would want to marry.

Pam and Mark met right after Mork & Mindy ended its run in 1982. They were introduced to each other by a mutual friend. They ended up getting married in 1987, the year after Mark was named People's Sexiest Man Alive.

It looks like Pam and Mark might make it another 31 years.

Pam and Mark are a great couple that show the strength of a marriage based on mutual respect and maturity. What do you think of them and their marriage? Let us know. Also, let others get inspiration from their marriage by passing along this link.