Mark Harmon Mourns Loss Of ‘NCIS’ Veteran & Friend

Mark Harmon Interview - The View

Mark Harmon just shared a touching tribute to a longtime co-worker from his days on NCIS. Mark learned of the passing of his friend and spoke about how important he was to the show throughout its run.

Here is who died and what Mark Harmon had to say about the loss.

Mark Harmon Honors Fallen NCIS Co-Worker

Mark Harmon noted the death of a longtime member of the NCIS production team. Former showrunner, writer, and executive producer George Schenck died on Saturday, August 3, at the age of 82. Schneck joined the production of NCIS in 2003, when the show began, and wrote dozens of episodes.

Mark Harmon from NCIS | YouTube
Mark Harmon from NCIS | YouTube

Schenck was a consulting producer and writer alongside his career writing partner Frank Cardea for the first eight seasons. He became an executive producer in Season 9. Schenck became a co-showrunner with Cardea in 2016 after Gary Glasberg died. He had to deal with the departures of Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo and Pauley Perrette’s exit as Abby.

He finally retired from the series and from producing in 2018. Before working on NCIS, Schenck worked on Bonanza, Fantasy Island, Crazy Like a Fox, and Soldier of Fortune, Inc. More recently, he wrote episodes of HackPainkiller Jane, and the movie Kiss Me Deadly.

Schneck was the son of film producer Aubrey Schenck, and his uncles Joseph M. Schenck and Nicholas Schenck were studio executives. Joseph was one of the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

When Mark Harmon learned of Schenck’s death, he released a statement about his death. “So sorry to hear the news on George,” Harmon said. “The professionalism and tenacity of George and Frank changed the face of the show. I’m so appreciative of the team and teamwork they both represented” (via CinemaBlend)

What Is Next For Mark Harmon & NCIS

Mark Harmon has said he won’t be coming back to NCIS in an on-screen role in the future. However, despite that, he will be back for NCIS: Origins. With that said, it will be more along the lines of Jim Parsons’s role on Young Sheldon.

Mark Harmon appears in 'NCIS' | Courtesy of CBS
Mark Harmon appears in ‘NCIS’ | Courtesy of CBS

NCIS: Origins tells the story of Gibbs joining up with the team at the start, and since this is from many years in the past, there are new casting choices for Gibbs, Mike Franks, and more. However, Mark Harmon will be the narrator of the series, likely explaining the lesson or moral of the episode each week.

Austin Stowell (Catch-22) will play Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the series. NCIS: Origins premieres on CBS on October 14, 2024.

What are your thoughts about Mark Harmon’s tribute to his longtime coworker on NCIS? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Shawn Lealos
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5 Comments

  1. I would love to see Mark Harmon return to the show, even on a partime basis. I seen him when I was 16 years old, he played baseball for benefit for girl school. He has always been kind. His acting on the show has always been a pleasure to watçh.

  2. It would have been nice if Mark Harmon could have shown some respect to David McCallum and family when he passed. But that wasn’t special enough for Mark to appear, after having worked together for 20 years. What a horrible person. Now he wants to redeem himself by mourning the writer who passed? Harmon has lost this viewer’s respect.

    1. I have to agree with you about David McCallum. He was an iconic actor in his own right. Jealousy perhaps? I’ll never forget that scene in the beach when Ducky had that cardiac arrest. It was so poignant. I stopped watching the show when most the original actors left the show.

  3. Mark Harmon is a very respectful person I sure he show his respects for Daid Mcallum in hes own private way. he is a Good man .He would not disrespect anyone .

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