Before Mark Harmon, These Hollywood A-Listers Were Almost Cast as Gibbs on ‘NCIS’
Before Mark Harmon became the iconic Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS, the role was almost filled by several other Hollywood heavyweights. According to recent behind-the-scenes revelations, names like Donald Sutherland, Tom Selleck, and Gary Sinise were all considered to play the tough, no-nonsense leader of the NCIS team. Each of these actors brought their own unique qualities to the table, but ultimately, it was Harmon who landed the role, defining the character in ways no one else could.
Though Harmon’s portrayal has become synonymous with the role, it’s fascinating to imagine how NCIS would have turned out with any of these A-list stars at the helm. The casting process was a pivotal moment for the show, and while we’ll never know exactly how different the dynamic would have been, one thing is clear: Mark Harmon’s Gibbs quickly became one of television’s most beloved characters, a feat that no other actor quite matched.
