At 80, Mark Harmon has finally opened up about the long-discussed tension between him and Pauley Perrette during their time on NCIS. For years, fans speculated about what happened behind the scenes, but Harmon now describes the situation in a more measured, grounded way.
He says the issue was never personal hostility, but differences in boundaries and working styles. As the environment on set evolved and certain moments caused discomfort, continuing to work closely together became difficult. Rather than escalate the situation, Harmon chose to step back and let the series move forward.
He also expressed respect for Perrette’s talent, noting that Abby Sciuto was central to NCIS’ success and beloved by viewers. Her impact on the show, he said, is undeniable.
In hindsight, Harmon frames the experience as a lesson in leadership and professionalism—proof that even strong creative partnerships can reach a breaking point, and sometimes the most responsible choice is distance, not conflict.