The Cast of NCIS: Before They Were Stars

With NCIS Season 12 set to premiere on Tuesday, September 23, fans of the show feel as though they know both the characters and actors well.

And it makes sense: Some of them have been turning up in our living rooms for over a decade via this CBS drama alone.

But cast members enjoyed unique and interesting careers long before they joined up for NCIS. From small roles on soap operas to iconic roles we'll never forget, below we take a look at where we saw our favorite NCIS actors before they were the stars we know today.

Ready to go back in time? Some of these roles may surprise you...

NCIS Cast: Before They Were Stars

1. Mark Harmon (Leroy Jethro Gibbs) - NCIS

Mark Harmon was a star long before he signed up for NCIS. Die hard fans might remember him from the primetime soap Flamingo Road, Dr. Caldwell for St. Elsewhere, or the third wheel in the Dave and Maddie triangle on Moonlighting. However, we're still mourning his untimely death as Agent Simon Donovan, CJ's romantic interest on The West Wing.

Don't forget, you can watch NCIS online any time right here at TV Fanatic.