David James Elliott stars as Lieutenant-Commander Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jnr in Seven Network's action drama, JAG, now screening on Wednesdays at 7.30pm. Harm is a former Navy pilot turned lawyer who fights for justice and truth in and out of the courtroom in the JAG (Judge Advocate General) corps. He is a true American hero for the Nineties.

His position involves investigating, prosecuting and acting as an attorney in cases involving murder, treason, espionage and other high crimes. Harm stands by the US military's code of ethics - God, duty, honour, country - along with his colleague, Major Sarah 'Mac' MacKenzie (Catherine Bell), which survives in changing times.

The old saying, "every girl loves a man in uniform" is definitely true in this case. David is an impressive 194cm (6 feet 4 inches) tall, with aquamarine eyes, brown hair and square jaw. Not to mention those biceps and muscles! It's not surprising David was given special honour in People Magazine's Most 50 Beautiful People of 1996.

Producer, Donald Bellisario, a leading producer of the action-drama genre, says David's character, Harm, will go through a difficult but necessary change during the current season.

"We will see a lighter, more playful Harm who will be more open to relationships."

In fact, Harm does falls in love with a beautiful woman in forthcoming episodes of JAG and changes his life forever.

Bellisario says JAG will continue to explore Harm and Mac's friendship beyond their working relationship "in addition to building upon our action element." A mutual respect and admiration makes them a powerful team no matter what the situation. There's nothing they cannot accomplish in this one-hour dramatic adventure series.

In previous seasons, Harm searches for his father who was shot down in a plane during the Vietnam War. His father was declared Missing in Action. Harm travelled to Vietnam, when he was a teenager, to search for his father. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful. Harm follows in his father's footsteps and joins the Navy. He decides to honour his father' memory by becoming a first-class fighter pilot.

His career as a pilot ends when his plane crashed on an aircraft carrier. His Radar Intercept Officer (RIO), who accompanied him, was killed. He was unable to continue as an aviator, after he was diagnosed with night blindness as a result of the crash. He decides to study law instead and joins the JAG corps.

Mac and Harm work together facing the most challenging and dangerous cases. They deal with terrorists, a ratty bratty princess, poachers, lunatics, murderers, AWOL's and rapists. Out-takes, unused footage from major films, archival footage and excerpts from military training films are used in JAG. Even the late Princess Diana also made an appearance in one episode.

Harm travels to Russia with Mac to investigate new leads in his search. A new clue reveals Harm's father was a Vietnam POW taken to Siberia and he may still be alive! Harm and Mac are shot down in a Russian MiG in last season's final cliff-hanging episode.

During the current season, Harm finally finds his father. Unfortunately Harmon Rabb, Snr was shot while trying to protect a woman from being raped by soldiers. Harm is shown the mountain where his father was laid to rest, after hearing what actually happened.

Harm gets on with the rest of his life after putting the search for his father to rest. He is assigned to a Congresswoman investigating a false report that the American military used chemical weapons on their own troops during the Gulf War. His friendship with Mac is tested when it is revealed she was once married. Her ex-husband reappears in her life, trying to persuade Mac to resume their relationship. When he is found dead, Mac is put on trial for murder.

JAG made David a worldwide star, especially here in Australia. He visited Australia as a guest celebrity at the 1997 Logie Awards in Melbourne.

David is not only blessed with good looks but talent too. He has proved he is not just another handsome face in Hollywood. Nor is he a stranger to our screens. He has appeared in numerous TV series, mini-series and movies. David's television career really took off once he moved to Los Angeles in 1990.

Previous credits include Degree of Guilt, a mini-series co-starring Melrose Place's Daphne Zuniga; Doogie Howser MD; The Hitchhiker; China Beach and Dark Justice, after signing a development deal with Disney. He played Terry Parsons, an alcoholic sex-addicted footballer, who has an affair with Alison (Courtney Thorne-Smith) in a recurring role in Melrose Place. David also starred in Knots Landing as a pro-baseball player, opposite Nicolette Sheridan.

Seinfeld fans may remember David playing Carl, the Moving Guy, in "The Couch" episode. His character, Carl, is a removal man who dates Elaine (Julia-Louise Dreyfuss). His performance is described as "memorable," and it boosted his career. Funnily enough, Seinfeld is one of David's favourite shows.

David played a supporting role as Mr MacNamara, a handsome executive in the recent Sundance Film Festival movie, Clockwatchers, in 1997. Australia's very own Toni Collette also stars as Iris, working as a temp in a large corporation.

However, acting wasn't David's first choice as a career. He was interested in music, not acting. David was singing in a band at 19 when one of his teachers encouraged him to try acting, after reading King Lear in a theatre history class. David was accepted by the prestigious Ryerson Polytechnic Institute (a Canadian Arts College) in 1983.

After graduation, David won an award for Most Promising Actor in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Canada. He performed in numerous stage productions, including B-Movie: The Play, Canada's most successful play, in 1986. He had starring role in the Canadian series, Street Legal, (1985-88) and Edison Twins.

He appears as Cadet Baxter #2 in Police Academy 3: Back In Training (1986). His name actually appears in the credits as 'David Elliott.'

Other movie roles include Amityville IV: The Evil Escapes (1989); A Holiday Affair (1997); Her Wicked Ways (1991); Lethal Charm (1990); Night Friend (1987) and The Big Town (1987).

David was born 21 September 1960 in Toronto, Canada. His resume includes work as "miscellaneous crew." He was a sound editor in Cujo (1983).

Sorry girls, David married actress (and fellow Canadian) Nanci Chambers in 1992. They have a daughter, Stephanie, aged 6. Nanci also made a guest appearance in JAG. In a recent interview in TV Week, David described Nanci as his ideal leading lady.

David's hobbies include spending time with his daughter, golfing, fishing, running, writing and watching old movies. He also competes in marathons regularly. (Don't be too surprised if he doesn't show at Sydney's Annual City to Surf race!)

© 1999 Carolyn M Cash

 Home \ Feature Articles