Mark was born Thomas "Mark" Harmon on 2 September 1951, Burbank, California, USA.

With an athletic father (Tom) and an actress mother, (Elyse) it is no surprise Harmon played college football and has found success as one of TV's hunkiest actors. While most of his roles have relied on little more than good looks, Harmon has impressive filmography to prove he is a lot more than just the average handsome actor.

The seventies saw Mark appear in episodes of "Emergency!" "Laverne and Shirley" and "The Love Boat" he also starred in the TV Film "Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years for which he received his first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor and as Officer Mike Breen in the TV Series "Sam". In 1979 he was cast in the TV Series 240-Robert and appeared for only one season he also starred in the movie "Beyond The Poseidon Adventure" which was the sequel to the hit disaster movie "The Poseidon Adventure".

He followed this with the role of Fielding Carlyle in the prime time soap "Flamingo Road" opposite Morgan Fairchild as his wife Constance.

Two TV Movies followed, "Goliath Awaits" and "Intimate Agony" before he signed to play the role of Dr. Bobby Caldwell in 1983 in the hit TV Series St. Elsewhere. The role was a huge success for Mark as he played the Romeo-doctor brilliantly. He left in 1986 after his character developed HIV.

He had a change of character completely in 1986 when he played the role of serial killer Ted Bundy in "The Deliberate Stranger". 1987 saw him with a guest role of "Sam" in the hit show "Moonlighting" as well as starring in the TV Movie "After the Promise" for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. 1987/88 saw him make three movies; the teen comedy "Summer School", the action thriller "The Presidio" in which he co-starred alongside Sean Connery and Meg Ryan and the drama "Stealing Home" alongside Jodie Foster. The 80s ended with a television remake of "Sweet Bird of Youth" opposite Elizabeth Taylor and the romantic comedy "Worth Winning".

The nineties saw various failed TV shows including "Reasonable Doubt" for which he received two Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor and "Charlie Grace" as well as various TV Movies ("Long Road Home", "Shadow of a Doubt" "Original Sin) as well as an unaccredited role in "Natural Born Killers" as Mickey Knox in Wayne Gayle's reconstruction, a cameo in the black comedy "The Last Supper" plus he also starred in the children's film "Magic in the Water".

In 1996 he returned to medical drama's - this time the role of Dr. Jack McNeil in the hit medical show "Chicago Hope" where he starred till 2000 when the series unfortunately ended. Whilst starring in Chicago Hope he also made a cameo in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and made the films "First To Go" and "I'll Remember April". The new millennium has seen him star in various TV films including "For All Time", "The Amati Girls" and "The Crossfire Trail" as well as the mini series "And Never Let Her Go".

He then guest starred in hit political drama "The West Wing" playing Special Agent Simon Donovan, the role earned him another Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor. Coming up is a role in Disney's remake of "Freaky Friday" opposite Jamie Lee Curtis and the NBC TV Show "NCIS" a spin-off of the popular show "JAG".

Mark has been married to actress Pam Dawber since 21st March 1987 and together they have two children: Sean Thomas Harmon born 26 April 1988 and Ty Christian Harmon born 25 June 1992.

Trivia

He is the uncle of musicians Gunnar Nelson and Matthew Nelson.

He is the uncle of Sam Nelson.

Mark's brother-in-law is singer Ricky Nelson.

His mother is actress Elyse Knox.

His father is football star Tom Harmon.

Mark's sister is actress Kelly Harmon.

His sister is Kristin Harmon.

He and Pam Dawber have two children: Sean Thomas Harmon born 26 April 1988 and Ty Christian Harmon born 25 June 1992.

Mark is the uncle of actress Tracy Nelson.

He was chosen as People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 1986.

His godfather, Forest Evahevski, is in the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame.

Mark risked his life to save two teenage boys who were involved in a car accident outside of his home. Harmon used a sledge hammer from his garage to break the window out of their car then pulled them free so they wouldn't be burned to death, while his wife Pam Dawber called 911. He made every effort to downplay his role in saving their lives.

He graduated cum laude from UCLA, 1974, with degree in communications. Also played quarterback for UCLA Bruins, 1972-73 winning National Football Foundation Award for all-round excellence

He worked as a carpenter before he hit it big.

Mark's uncle, Ron Knox (his mother's brother), was also a college football star and played one season as a professional quarterback for the Chicago Bears.

He is the grandson of William Franklin Knox, United States Secretary of the Navy during World War II and Republican candidate for Vice President in 1936.

His father, Tom Harmon,played for the University of Michigan Wolverines and won the 1940 Heisman Trophy emblematic of the best player in the nation