Mark Harmon Pays Tribute to Former NCIS Showrunner George Schenck Following His Passing
Mark Harmon, former NCIS star, has paid tribute to longtime showrunner George Schenck, who passed away on August 3 at the age of 82. Schenck, a pivotal figure in the first 15 seasons of the hit crime series, died at his home in Los Angeles, as confirmed by a CBS spokesperson.
Harmon, who portrayed the iconic Leroy Jethro Gibbs before exiting during the 19th season, expressed his gratitude for Schenck’s work alongside his creative partner, Frank Cardea. “So sorry to hear the news on George,” Harmon shared in a statement via The Hollywood Reporter. “The professionalism and tenacity of George and Frank changed the face of the show. I’m so appreciative of the team and teamwork they both represented.”
Schenck’s collaboration with Cardea spanned over 40 years, with the duo serving as writers, executive producers, and co-showrunners before Schenck’s retirement in 2018.
As NCIS gears up for its 22nd season, star Wilmer Valderrama, who plays Special Agent Nick Torres, offered an exciting update on filming. “Alright, beautiful people. I think you know what time it is. We’re officially back on set of NCIS. Season 22 is a go,” Valderrama announced, adding that his character Torres is back in action.
In a previous interview, Valderrama teased a thrilling new season, saying, “The big conversation is how can we light some shit on fire this season? It’s going to be more personal, more soul-shattering… There might be new flames. Perhaps Torres might be ready for love this season.”
NCIS continues to air on CBS in the US, with Seasons 1-20 available for streaming on Disney+ in the UK.
