Mark Harmon is one of the most popular and successful actors in Hollywood, best known for his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the hit series NCIS. But did you know that he also has a famous brother-in-law who was a pop icon in the 1960s? Here is how Mark Harmon is related to Ricky Nelson, and how their family connection changed his life.
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Who is Ricky Nelson?
Ricky Nelson was a singer, actor, and musician who rose to fame as a teen idol in the 1950s and 1960s. He was the son of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, who starred in the popular sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, which also featured Ricky and his older brother David as themselves. Ricky started his music career by singing on the show, and soon became a chart-topping sensation with hits like “Hello Mary Lou”, “Travelin’ Man”, and “Poor Little Fool”. He also appeared in several movies, such as Rio Bravo, The Wackiest Ship in the Army, and Love and Kisses. He is considered one of the pioneers of rock and roll, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
How did Mark Harmon meet Ricky Nelson?
Mark Harmon met Ricky Nelson through his sister Kristin, who married Ricky in 1963. Kristin was also an actress and model, who appeared in movies like Lassie: A Christmas Story, The Resurrection of Broncho Billy, and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. She was Mark’s eldest sister, and they had another sister named Kelly, who was also an actress and model. Mark’s parents were Tom Harmon, a Heisman Trophy-winning football player and broadcaster, and Elyse Knox, a Hollywood actress and model. Mark grew up in a celebrity family, but he had a different passion: sports.
How did Mark Harmon become an actor?
Mark Harmon followed his father’s footsteps and became a star quarterback at UCLA in the early 1970s. He led his team to a stunning upset over the two-time defending national champion Nebraska Cornhuskers in 1972, and received the National Football Foundation Award for All-Round Excellence in 1973. He graduated with a degree in communication, but he was not interested in pursuing a career in football or broadcasting. Instead, he was inspired by his brother-in-law Ricky Nelson to try acting.
Mark Harmon had a close relationship with Ricky Nelson, who often invited him to join him on his tours and concerts. Mark also spent time with Ricky’s parents Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, who were influential figures in the entertainment industry. Ozzie Nelson gave Mark his first acting opportunity when he cast him in an episode of Ozzie’s Girls, a spin-off of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Mark learned a lot from Ozzie about directing and editing, and decided to pursue acting as a profession.
What happened to Ricky Nelson and Kristin Harmon?
Ricky Nelson and Kristin Harmon had a turbulent marriage that lasted for 19 years. They had four children: Tracy, twins Gunnar and Matthew, and Sam. They also struggled with drug addiction, infidelity, financial problems, and legal issues. They divorced in 1982, after a bitter custody battle over their youngest son Sam. Three years later, Ricky Nelson died in a tragic plane crash at the age of 45.
Mark Harmon and his wife Pam Dawber, whom he married in 1987, filed for temporary custody of Sam Nelson after Ricky’s death. They wanted to help Sam cope with the loss of his father and the instability of his mother. They also wanted to help Kristin overcome her addiction and get her life back on track. Mark Harmon said that he had a “really nice relationship” with Ricky’s children, and that Ricky was “a really good guy”.
How is Mark Harmon doing now?
Mark Harmon has had a successful acting career since his debut in Ozzie’s Girls. He has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, such as St. Elsewhere, The Presidio, Chicago Hope, Freaky Friday, The West Wing, Chasing Liberty, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawai’i ,and many more. He is best known for his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in NCIS since 2003. He has won several awards for his performance, including four People’s Choice Awards for Favorite TV Crime Drama Actor.
Mark Harmon is also a producer and director. He has produced several episodes of NCIS and its spin-offs, as well as other shows like Certain Prey , John Sandford’s Certain Prey ,and Prey . He has also directed some episodes of NCIS and Chicago Hope. He is one of the highest-paid actors in television, earning $525,000 per episode of NCIS in 2019.
Mark Harmon is still close with his family, especially his wife Pam Dawber, who is also an actress. They have two sons: Sean and Ty. Mark Harmon is also a devoted humanitarian, who supports several charities and causes, such as the American Red Cross, the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the UCLA Foundation, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial. He is also a volunteer firefighter and a deputy sheriff in Los Angeles County.
Mark Harmon is a remarkable actor and a wonderful person, who has overcome many challenges and achieved many successes in his life. He is also related to one of the legends of rock and roll, Ricky Nelson, who influenced him in many ways. Mark Harmon and Ricky Nelson are two stars who shine bright in the Hollywood sky.
