Mark Harmon pays tribute to late NCIS showrunner George Schenck

You may not known George Schenck by name, but you know his work. He contributed to decades worth of memorable television dating back to the 1970s. He worked with various networks, and is partially responsible for keeping NCIS going strong during its first decade and a half on CBS.

Schenck passed away on August 3 at the age of 82. He died peacefully, according to Deadline, at his home in Brentwood, California. Mark Harmon who worked alongside Schenck for 16 seasons, issued a statement upon hearing the news.

Mark Harmon credits Schenck with changing the show

The actor also singled out former Schecnk's partner, Frank Cardea:

"So sorry to hear the news on George. 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."

In getting a chance to look back at George Schenck's career in its entirety, though, it's entirely possible that the successful producer was underrated.

He made his name producing shows like Fantasy Island and Crazy Like a Fox in the first half of the 80s. The former was a beloved fantasy series (as one could guess from the title), and the latter was a detective series starring Oscar nominee Jack Warden. Schenck continued to be a familiar name for those who paid attention to credits in the 1990s.

Schenck took over as co-showrunner in 2016

His most notable credits during this time period include The Cosby Mysteries and Soldier of Fortune, Inc. He served as a producer on both, adding pedigree to what had been, at that point, a solid career. It wasn't until NCIS launched in 2003, though, that George Schenck found his signature show.

Schenck was one of the writers and executive producers on NCIS when it premiered. His name is listed on a staggering 318 episodes, proving without a doubt that he was a crucial cog in the show's machine early on. Schenck took over as NCIS' co-showrunner in 2016, and held the position until his retirement in 2018.

Given that NCIS continues to thrive today, it's safe to say that Schenck's TV legacy is secure.