Here's Why Mark Harmon and His Wife Keep Their Marriage Out of the Spotlight
They were one of TV's hottest "it" couples in the '80s. Pam Dawber was starring in her sitcom My Sister Sam after a successful run as the female lead of the hit show Mork & Mindy, opposite Robin Williams. Mark Harmon, fresh from his own roles in St. Elsewhere and Moonlighting, had been dubbed People's Sexiest Man Alive in 1986.
And yet, no one could seem to get a word out of the pair, who had been introduced by a mutual friend, about their relationship.
"We're not trying to keep something secret," Pam said in an interview with People while the two were still engaged, "but if you don't want it totally exploited by the press, you have to."
To this day, the famously private couple still keeps their life with their two sons, Sean, 31, and Ty, 27, under wraps. But Mark did let one secret about their lasting marriage slip, and it all has to do with maturity.
“We were both in our thirties when we got married, so hopefully the stupid stuff we did earlier,” he told People in 2019. “That’s probably the closest I have to what the key is.”
Here's everything else to know about their better-than-tv romance.
When did Mark and Pam get married?
It only makes sense that when they did wed in 1987, Mark and Pam kept things low-key, with a small group of friends and family. They have now been together for 31 years, and Mark signifies that with a unique ring in the shape of an eagle head.
“I wear it or a few others I have because when I’m not shooting, I like to make sure I have something on my ring finger, because I’m proud to be married, and I’m proud of who I’m married to,” he said. “I’m just so proud of her.”
How do they juggle their careers with their family?
Mark's career continued to take off with iconic turns in Chicago Hope, The West Wing, and everyone's favorite crime drama, NCIS, but Pam chose to leave Hollywood to stay home and raise their two sons.
"I don't think two people can work all the time in show business and stay married," Pam said in an interview with ET. She also added the following:
"I was in a number one show. I had my own deal. I got to do Broadway. I got to do musical theater. I got to do cartoon voices," Pam explained to the publication. "I did everything you can do in this business, and then I had children and it's like, 'I'm not going to chase this fame thing ... I wanted to drive my kids to school. I wanted to be there for their birthdays and bring cupcakes and donuts and do the school festivals and all that, and I did. I got to teach in their art class and so it was a different life then and I was very happy to do it."
What's their life like now?
Years later, the actors are still managing to keep their personal life just that: personal.
"It's not even a choice," Mark 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."
Recently, it was reported that the actors renewed their vows in an intimate backyard ceremony in honor of their 30th wedding anniversary.
As Biography.com reports, Pam told InStyle,"He's one of those guys who makes you say, 'They don't make them like that anymore.'"
Cue the "awwws."
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