A look back at the NCIS star — and PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1986 — through the years

Mark Harmon on St. Elsewhere.Credit : Jack Hamilton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Happy Birthday, Mark Harmon! PEOPLE’s former Sexiest Man Alive — and a sexiest man alive to many fans — turns 72 on Sept. 2, 2023.

Celebrate with a look back on his life and career, including everything from dreamy throwbacks to sweet quotes about his longtime love and family life.

01of 18

Taking a Ride on the Love Boat

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

In 1979, Harmon sported an oh-so-’70s look while filming The Love Boat.

Harmon told Variety of his early acting days, “In the beginning, if you needed someone to take his shirt off and kiss the pretty girl, that was me. If you needed someone to say, ‘Ma’am, can I see your license?’ and get shot, that was me.”

02of 18

To Beard or Not to Beard?

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Who doesn’t love a rugged look? Harmon sported some scruff while at the 1981 Eddie Awards.

03of 18

So Dreamy

Columbia Pictures Television/Getty

Harmon looked dapper while starring in the 1980 miniseries The Dream Merchants alongside Morgan Fairchild.

04of 18

Making History

Jack Hamilton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

From 1983 to 1986, Harmon made everyone swoon as the handsome plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Caldwell on the medical drama St. Elsewhere. His character’s arc made history when he became one of the first major TV characters on network television to contract and die of AIDS.

Harmon told Variety of his role, “At the time it was really risky, but years later it was something people talk about and remember. What they were saying about that character was simply not being done at that time.”

05of 18

Going Swimmingly

Barry King/WireImage

In 1984, Harmon sported a Speedo while competing in Battle of the Network Stars.

06of 18

Lights, Camera, Action!

TriStar/Getty

Harmon starred in the 1986 action film Let’s Get Harry, playing the titular Harry, who is kidnapped by a drug lord in Colombia.

07of 18

The Sexiest Man Alive

That same year, Harmon was named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive, and it’s no mystery why he was chosen!

08of 18

Throwing in the Towel

Alan Singer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Proving he’s up for a challenge, he hosted Saturday Night Live in 1987, showing up for his opening monologue in nothing but a towel.

09of 18

Strut Your Stuff

Alan Singer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

While appearing on SNL, Harmon joked, “It’s been fun doing this show the last week, except for one problem. See, as the week went on, I noticed in every sketch that I was wearing less clothing than everyone else and began to fear I was being used, you know? It’s this problem I’ve had since I won PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 1986.”

10of 18

To Have and to Hold

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

In 1987, Harmon wed Mork & Mindy actress Pam Dawber. The pair have been together for 35-plus years, though they’re notoriously private about their relationship. Dawber told PEOPLE that year, “We’re not trying to keep something secret, but if you don’t want it totally exploited by the press, you have to.”

11of 18

Just the Two of Us

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Mark echoed those sentiments in 2017, when he told TV Insider, “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. Pam and I have both made a living in this business, and still, there’s a part of that that’s just not natural.”

12of 18

Happy Together

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

The pair welcomed sons Sean and Ty in 1988 and 1992, respectively.

13of 18

Legends Only

NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Harmon starred alongside legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor in Sweet Bird of Youth in 1989.

14of 18

Play Ball

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Harmon played in the 1989 Hollywood All Star Charity Baseball Game (and his look was a total home run).

15of 18

Family Film

TriStar/Getty

Harmon acted alongside a young Joshua Jackson (right) and Sarah Wayne (left) in the 1994 movie Magic in the Water.

16of 18

TV Time

Cliff Lipson/CBS Photo Archive via Getty

In 2003, Harmon would begin his time on NCIS as Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, where he remained for 18 seasons before departing the show in October 2021.

17of 18

We Mustache You a Question

Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic

Are you a big fan of Harmon’s 2006 ‘stache? We definitely are.

18of 18

Suited Up

SGranitz/WireImage

In conclusion, the term “silver fox” might have been invented for Mark Harmon. That’s all.