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Harrison Ford Was Considered For ‘NCIS’ Lead Role

By Carol Cassada

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 19: Harrison Ford attends the "Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2023 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 19: Harrison Ford attends the "Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2023 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) /
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NCIS is one of the most popular and long-running shows on the CBS network. The fictional drama focuses on agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service as they solve a series of crimes. The show features an all-star cast with Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the leader of the team.

But before Harmon was cast in the role, the producers considered other actors, including a top action star.

‘NCIS’ producers considered  Harrison Ford for the role of Gibbs

When TV producers are casting for their shows, they want to find the right person for the role. For the NCIS producers, they needed someone with a strong presence for the lead role of Gibbs.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson revealed some of the actors in consideration for Gibbs. Among the contenders was Indiana Jones star Harrison Ford.

"“I know Harrision Ford was a name that everybody thought about for Gibbs because he was so perfect. But I don’t think it ever go any further than it was a name thown out.”"

Ford was a longshot for the role, however, Peter Golden the former CBS head of casting explained why the actor’s name was in contention.

"“When you sit down, and you have an initial conversation about casting, no name is off the table. Back in the early 2000s, the Harrisons Fords of the world [rarely did TV]. But that didn’t meant you didn’t  put them on the list.”"

Other big-name stars who were brought up included Alec Baldwin, Val Kilmer, Scott Glenn, Patrick Swayze, and Andrew McCarthy. However, it was former St. Elsewhere star Harmon who ultimately won the role.

Harmon played Gibbs for 18 years, but during the beginning of Season 19, the actor announced his departure from the series. The writers gave Gibbs a peaceful ending when he left the unit and moved to Alaska. Gary Cole was later cast as Alden Parker, the new leader of NCIS.

Despite many casting changes, the show is still going strong. The series celebrated its 20th anniversary on Sept. 23.

Next. 20 actors who were almost cast in Marvel movies. dark

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