How Adam-12 helped turn Mark Harmon from a college football standout into a TV star

Mark Harmon, best known for his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the long-running television series “NCIS,” began his journey to stardom with his breakout role on the classic police procedural show “Adam-12.”

Before joining the cast of “Adam-12,” Harmon had already made a name for himself as a college football player. He played quarterback for the UCLA Bruins football team and earned himself a reputation as a standout athlete. However, after sustaining a serious injury, Harmon shifted his focus away from football and towards acting.

His role on “Adam-12” marked his entry into the world of television, and it provided him with a platform to showcase his acting talent. Harmon portrayed Officer Gus Corbin in a 1975 episode titled “Elegy for a Pig.” His performance garnered attention and helped him land additional acting roles, ultimately leading to his rise as a television star.

While “Adam-12” played a significant role in launching Harmon’s acting career, it was just the beginning of his journey to becoming a household name in the entertainment industry. He continued to build upon his success with roles in various television shows and films, eventually landing the iconic role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs on “NCIS,” which solidified his status as a television star.