Mark Harmon has a brand-new role that has nothing to do with a badge or a case file. The beloved NCIS icon, 73, has become a grandfather, and fans are celebrating right alongside his family. Harmon and his wife, Mork & Mindy star Pam Dawber, are marking the happy arrival of their grandson, born to their eldest son, actor-producer Sean Harmon, and Sean’s wife, Courtney Prather.
A New Milestone for the Harmon Family
The joyful update came courtesy of Courtney, who shared a tender one-month tribute to their son with a simple, heartfelt caption: “1 month with you. Cooper Knox Harmon ~ 5.22.25.” The post offered a glimpse into the family’s first weeks with baby Cooper, and it quickly drew an outpouring of love from friends, fans, and the NCIS community.
Images of the sleeping newborn and sweet moments with mom and dad lit up social feeds. In one especially endearing shot, Sean appears dozing on a hospital bed while his son rests peacefully in the bassinet nearby. The scene captured the calm after a life-changing day — and set the tone for a new chapter in the Harmon family story.
The Announcement Fans Loved
Comments flooded in to congratulate the couple and welcome baby Cooper to the world. Longtime admirers of Mark Harmon also chimed in with a common wish: to see a photo of the proud grandfather together with his namesake. While the Harmons are well known for valuing their privacy, the enthusiasm underscores just how invested fans feel in this multi-generational Hollywood family.
Private Lives, Public Careers
Though Mark still guides the NCIS franchise as an executive producer, he and Dawber — who married in 1987 — have intentionally stepped away from the spotlight in their personal lives. Based in Los Angeles, they raised two sons, Sean and Ty, and have long emphasized keeping family matters close to home.
Harmon once put it plainly to TV Insider: “It’s not even a choice. It’s who we are. We stay home. A lot. I’m not a Twitter guy or a Facebook guy. Our sons aren’t into that either.” That keep-it-simple philosophy has shaped the way the family navigates success, fame, and now, grandparenthood.
A Legacy on NCIS
Sean Harmon as Young Gibbs
For NCIS fans, the Harmon family connection to the series runs deeper than Mark’s 18-season lead performance as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Sean has portrayed a young Gibbs in flashback episodes, offering viewers a credible, nuanced look at the character’s early years. The casting was more than a fun nod; it added emotional continuity to one of television’s most enduring drama leads.
Although Mark stepped away as a series regular in season 19, he continues to influence the show’s direction behind the scenes. That steady presence reflects how strongly he identifies with the NCIS team — a production he has often called one big family — even as his own family experiences a meaningful new beginning.
Proud Dad: Mark Harmon on His Sons
Harmon has never hidden his pride in Sean and Ty, praising not just their accomplishments but their character. Speaking about Sean’s approach to the industry, he shared, “I’m proud of him taking his work seriously and how he approaches being an actor — not just on this show, [but] just what he has chosen to try to do in his life’s work.”
For Mark, the most important measure of success happens away from the camera. “Separate from anything as an actor, you hopefully take pride in who people are individually away from any camera just as people, as citizens,” he said. “And both our boys have done well and hopefully made smart choices and are doing well daily. Day by day, we have a lot of reasons to be proud of both of them.”
Like Father, Like Son: Sean’s Path Behind the Camera
Sean has described the role of Gibbs as a constant influence throughout his life — first watching his father craft the character, then stepping into young Gibbs’s shoes on-screen. “The character of Gibbs has been an important part of my life for 20 years, both in watching my father craft the role and previously having the honor to play young Gibbs myself,” he said. “I always felt there was a tale worth telling about his earlier years, so I am thrilled to be stepping into a producing role.”
That evolution from actor to producer reflects the broader Harmon family ethos: show up prepared, take the work seriously, and put the story first. As Sean develops projects that explore the origins of a beloved character, he carries forward a creative legacy rooted in craftsmanship and respect for the audience.
Roots in Sports and Classic Hollywood
The Harmons’ story doesn’t begin on the NCIS set. Mark is the son of legendary University of Michigan and NFL player Tom Harmon and classic Hollywood star Elyse Knox. Growing up with a football icon for a father and a silver-screen actress for a mother gave Mark unique insight into two demanding worlds — and likely shaped his grounded perspective on fame and family.
That background may also help explain the family’s balance of ambition and privacy. Despite a career that includes leading one of television’s most-watched dramas, Mark has consistently kept his home life out of the tabloids, a choice that now benefits a new generation as baby Cooper enters the picture.
Family First, Always
With a grandson now in the mix, the Harmons’ tight-knit approach seems more relevant than ever. The new parents, Sean and Courtney, are soaking in the small moments, from first cuddles to quiet afternoons, while fans cheer them on from afar. And while the public may not see every milestone, it’s clear the family is savoring them all.
For Mark and Pam, who have been married for nearly four decades, this season brings a different kind of joy — the kind that comes from watching your children become parents themselves. It’s a role change that doesn’t require lines or a camera, only presence, patience, and love.
Why This Matters
Mark Harmon becoming a grandfather is more than a headline for NCIS devotees; it’s a reminder of why the series resonated for so long. At its heart, NCIS has always been about loyalty, mentorship, and the bonds that make a team feel like family. Off-screen, those same values are on full display as the Harmons welcome baby Cooper.
As Sean continues to build his career on both sides of the camera and Mark steers the franchise he helped define, this newest chapter underscores what has guided them all along: do the work, cherish the people around you, and keep the most important things — faith, character, and family — front and center. Congratulations to Mark, Pam, Sean, and Courtney on the arrival of Cooper Knox Harmon — a wonderful new addition to a storied family.