EXCLUSIVEIs Mark Harmon Intimidated By Costar Gary Cole? 'NCIS' Star 'Not Used To Sharing The Limelight', Source Says
Aug. 8 2021, Published 12:05 a.m. ET
Mark Harmon is used to being the big cheese on the NCIS set, but an insider says new cast member Gary Cole is giving him a run for his money.
The 69-year-old has helmed the hit crime procedural — now in its 19th season — since it began in 2003, “but with Gary signing on, Hollywood is buzzing that he’s being groomed to take over the show,” spills the insider.
The Veep alum, 64, who’s been getting the royal treatment since filming resumed in July, “is a highly respected actor and obviously has star caliber,” notes the insider. “He’d be a fool not to step up and seize the opportunity.”
Harmon, for his part, “has been saying for a long time that he needs more time off to spend with his family and that he wants a smaller workload,” the insider adds. “Even so, seeing everyone falling all over themselves for Gary has to be hard to swallow. Mark’s not used to sharing the limelight!”
- 'NCIS' Star Mark Harmon Doesn't Want Wife Pam Dawber To Act Full-Time As He Looks Forward To 'Kicking Back' With Her, Spills Source
- Looking Back: Mark Harmon Ready 'To Talk' About 'Wild Days As A Bachelor,' Source Spills
- What Retirement? Mark Harmon Was 'Itching' To Get Back To 'NCIS' Set—And Is Ready For More
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
As OK! previously reported, the actor is mulling over his options ahead of his contract ending. Meanwhile, his wife of 34 years, actress Pam Dawber — who previously guest-starred on an episode of NCIS — may be thinking of getting back into showbiz, much to Harmon's chagrin.
The actor "was looking forward to finally kicking back with his wife," a source told OK!. "But Pam feels this could be her big shot to get back out there. She'd like to have Mark's support, but friends think she'll follow her heart on this one."
Regardless of what both Harmon and the Mork & Mindy alum — who put her career on hold to raise the couple's two sons Sean, 33, and Ty, 28 — decide as far as work goes, it's likely they'll make it through just fine: "They have one of the most solid marriages in Hollywood and that's because they put the relationship first."
