Mark Harmon & Pam Dawber Are Married for 35 Years — Keeping Their Family Private Was ‘Not Even a Choice’

Start writing...Pam Dawber and Mark Harmon at the AFI Achievement Awards on March 8, 1990 (left), Pam Dawber and Mark Harmon at the 2002 Creative Arts Awards (right) | Source: Getty Images

Harmon is no stranger to the spotlight, being the son of broadcaster Tom Harmon and actress Elyse Knox. He made a name for himself by starring in several movies like “Chasing Liberty” and “Freaky Friday” and is best known for being on “NCIS.”

Meanwhile, Dawber is best-known for the hit TV show “Mork & Mindy” in the late 1970s. After years of acting, she guest-starred on her husband’s hit show “NCIS

MARK HARMON’S HIGH-PROFILE AFFAIRS BEFORE MARRIAGE

Before Harmon and Dawber tied the knot, he had several relationships with high-profile celebrities. In the 1970s, he dated singer Karen Carpenter before briefly dating actress Morgan Fairchild.

After their breakup, he and actress Cristina Raines were in a four-year relationship. Throughout the 1980s, he dated a couple of women, including Heather Locklear, Sheree J. Wilson, and Terri Garber.

Ultimately, Harmon found true love with Dawber a year after his relationship with Garber. The pair wed in 1987 and haven’t looked back since.

A GLIMPSE INTO MARK & PAM’S DISCREET LOVE STORY

In the 1980s, Harmon had been vocal about his search for true love. Speaking about his goals for marriage, he revealed he wanted it to be “everything this town says it can’t be.”

Then he finally met his match. Harmon and Dawber were introduced at a party thrown by a mutual friend. At the time, Harmon already knew what she was looking for in a man.

The actress made a list of qualities she was looking for – independence, intelligence, strength, sensitivity, sensuousness, warmth, and of course, a sense of humor. Harmon ended up ticking all the boxes.

The pair’s relationship is stronger than ever after 35 years, having wed in 1987. The couple admits keeping their relationship private had a huge part in their long-lasting marriage. Dawber once said:

“We’re not trying to keep something secret, but if you don’t want it totally exploited by the press, you have to.”

Dawber and Harmon would soon learn that their secrecy came at a price. Rumors about them frequented the press, particularly about their alleged breakups.

However, the couple admitted they would simply laugh about these rumors, commenting, “It must have been a slow news week.”

The same way they’ve kept their relationship private through the years, their marriage was quiet and personal, with only a couple of friends and family attending. They didn’t want to have a stressful and chaotic wedding, like their friends Julianna and Bruce Springsteen had.

MAINTAINING A PRIVATE MARRIED LIFE FOR 35 YEARS

When asked about being private people in such a social industry, Harmon echoed his wife’s sentiments years ago by saying that it’s just who they are as people. The couple and their children choose to stay home and away from the hustle and bustle of the industry.

When asked about the secret to their lasting union, Harmon believes it’s because they’ve been committed to one another since the beginning of their relationship and elaborated:

“We were both in our thirties when we got married, so hopefully the stupid stuff we did earlier. That’s probably the closest I have to what the key is.”

Throughout their 35 years of marriage, Harmon’s ring finger always reflected where his heart lies, and it often sports a unique ring in the shape of an eagle head, which he believes to be an heirloom from his grandfather.

When he’s not wearing the unique ring, he wears a few others. “I’m proud of who I’m married to. I’m just so proud of her,” he gushed.