NCIS star Mark Harmon fresh-faced in throwback in 80s movie role as he recalls filming

NCIS’ Mark Harmon reflected on his acting days long before becoming a household name as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. 

Before landing the acclaimed CBS role in 2003, Harmon had starred in NBC’s political drama The West Wing and the 80s hit comedy Summer School. 

The actor was met with a roar of applause when he made a special appearance on The View to discuss his literary debut with Ghosts of Honolulu.

As well as talking about the true story novel, Harmon recalled his early acting days after Joy Behar asked what he remembered about filming the teen comedy. 

“I remember that all the kids in that movie were probably in their mid-30s, and they all had ideas.

Read more: NCIS Mark Harmon 'almost quit' show over Leroy Gibbs' name change

“The way [director] Carl [Reiner] works is a spin on improv, let the camera run a little bit longer every day. 

“Every scene, every day there was always one of those kids, sometimes I would go, ‘Hey how about this?’” and after imitating the director's laugh, Harmon added: “And Carl would go ‘no.’”

After Joy stated: “At least he was open to suggestions.” The actor continued: “He let the cameras run at the end of a take, those little threads, those little 20 frames are in the movie.”

As Whoopi Goldberg shared her own acting experience, Harmon reflected: “Years later, they came back and said they wanted you - what do you call it when you come out with the movie?”

To which Whoppi questioned: “Commentary?” and Harmon agreed: “Yeah, go along with the video, because there wasn’t a video when the movie came out.

“I said, ‘Absolutely, is Carl going to do it?’ and they said ‘he will do it’. And I said, ‘For me at this point to sit in a room with Carl Reiner for three hours, are you kidding? Sign me up.’

“We had a great time, I love the man,” the 72-year-old concluded.