When stepping into the legendary shoes of Leroy Jethro Gibbs for NCIS: Origins, actor Austin Stowell had one guiding light: Mark Harmon. As the original Gibbs, Harmon’s words and mentorship became an anchor for Stowell, offering clarity, direction, and permission to make the role his own
“Trust Yourself” – The Advice That Echoed in the Room
After securing the role of Gibbs, Austin Stowell recalls a pivotal moment:
“Mark came up to me and said two words that I’ll remember forever. He said, ‘trust yourself.’”en.wikipedia.org+15forbes.com+15cbr.com+15foxnews.comapnews.com+2cbr.com+2tvinsider.com+2etonline.com
Simple yet profound, this advice became Stowell’s internal compass. It wasn’t just about portraying a character— it was about finding his own inner Gibbs.
Harmon’s Wisdom on Sleep and Leadership
Beyond performance, Harmon shared practical insights: “telling me that sleep is overrated” tvinsider.com+1cbr.com+1—a nod to Gibbs’ relentless work ethic. Harmon’s advice underscored a larger message: mental fortitude and dedication were just as crucial as endurance.
Embracing “Gibbs’ Rules”—And Learning Them From the Source
Austin Stowell delved into Gibbs’ iconic code, including Rule 3 (“Don’t believe what you’re told; double-check”) and Rule 4 (“Keep your secrets to yourself”). Stowell said:
“I feel like … one of them being Mark Harmon, who’s been a sage to me during this time.”tvinsider.com+1people.com+1
Here, Harmon didn’t just narrate—he mentored Stowell through Gibbs’ moral framework.
Mentorship on Set—Beyond Lines and Camera
Mark Harmon didn’t just lend his voice. Through narration, executive producing, and cameo appearances, he guided Stowell’s performance from behind the scenes:
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Harmon’s narration emphasizes grit and grounding in 1990s procedural toneparade.com+15ew.com+15cbr.com+15decider.comforbes.com+3decider.com+3reddit.com+3.
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In-person advice ensured the atmosphere remained authentic, emotionally resonant, and true to Gibbs’ legacyforbes.com+5cinemablend.com+5cbr.com+5.
Final Take
Mark Harmon’s mentorship of Austin Stowell on NCIS: Origins wasn’t about mimicking Gibbs—it was about breathing life into him. With simple, profound advice—“trust yourself,” endure, embody the rules—Harmon passed the torch gracefully, helping shape a new version of Gibbs who honors the past while forging his own path.
FAQs
Q1: What exactly did Mark Harmon say to Austin Stowell?
He told Stowell to “trust yourself,” reinforcing self-belief as key to portraying Gibbsreddit.com+7forbes.com+7en.wikipedia.org+7.
Q2: Did Harmon share any other guidance?
Yes—he also mentioned that “sleep is overrated,” highlighting Gibbs’ discipline and staminaforbes.com+2tvinsider.com+2people.com+2.
Q3: How did Harmon help bring authenticity to the show?
He narrated, executive-produced, appeared onscreen in the premiere, and regularly shared advice on character nuancesforbes.com+13cinemablend.com+13apnews.com+13.
Q4: Did Stowell discuss Gibbs’ famous rules?
Absolutely. Stowell said learning Rule 3 and Rule 4 from Harmon was like internalizing Gibbs’ moral codeparade.com+15tvinsider.com+15cbr.com+15.
Q5: How did this advice influence Stowell’s portrayal?
It granted him permission to inject his own interpretation, guided by Gibbs’ ethos and backed by Harmon’s mentorship—creating a portrayal both respectful and fresh.
Custom Message:
Mark Harmon didn’t just hand over the badge—he handed over a legacy, reminding us that sometimes the best advice is simply: trust yourself.
