Mark Harmon Biography

Mark Harmon

actor
Born: 9/2/1951
Birthplace: Burbank, California

The son of football player Tom Harmon and actress mother Elyse Knox, it is no surprise that Harmon is a gifted athlete and a talented actor. Though he got his start making guest appearances, including Emergency! (1975) and twice on the Love Boat (1979, 1983), Harmon soon established himself as more than a pretty face. On St. Elsewhere (1982–88) he played the part of a doctor who contracted HIV, and plays a doctor who is also a compulsive gambler on Chicago Hope (1996–2000). Known primarily for his television work, Harmon has also appeared on the big screen in films such as Stealing Home (1988), The Presidio (1988), and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998). He is married to actress Pam Dawber, and his sister, Kelly Harmon, is the actress featured in the Tic Tac ads. Actress Tracy Nelson and musicians Matthew and Gunnar Nelson (of the band Nelson) are his niece and nephews, respectively.