Back in 1987, when Pam and Mark tied the knot, they were already stars in their own right.

Mark had just been named PEOPLE magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 1986, and Pam was basking in the success of the beloved show, “Mork & Mindy.”

However, at the height of her career, Pam made a pivotal choice.

She decided to step back from the limelight, choosing instead to focus on her new roles as a wife and mother.

In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight, Pam spoke openly about her decision.

“I don’t think two people can work all the time in show business and stay married,” she stated.

This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision but a deliberate choice for the sake of their marriage’s longevity.

After welcoming their two sons, Pam wholeheartedly embraced motherhood.

She wasn’t just fulfilling a role; she was living her dream.

“I did everything you can do in this business and then I had children. I wanted to drive my kids to school. I wanted to be there for their birthdays and bring cupcakes and donuts and do the school festivals and all that—and I did,” she shared.

Meanwhile, Mark continued to advance his acting career, most notably with his long-standing role in “NCIS.”

Despite his continued presence in the public eye, the couple has successfully kept their family life private.

Pam pointed out, “Notice you don’t see us in the magazines. When you’re married, that’s real life.”

Fast forward to the present, and the couple has been blissfully married for over three decades.

Their sons are now adults, forging their own paths.

When asked about the influence of having famous parents, Pam humbly downplayed her celebrity status.

“I’m just their mom. They don’t care about what I did. They care about what they are doing. They want their parents to care about what they are doing. Their father is already iconic enough for two boys. I am just the mom.”

Even though Pam took a break from acting to focus on her family, she has occasionally returned to the screen for special roles in shows like “The Crazy Ones” and “The Odd Couple.”

Her sporadic comebacks have been driven more by passion than necessity, showcasing her diverse life choices.

Mark, too, has shared his thoughts on their marriage’s durability.

Speaking to PEOPLE, he reflected, “We were both in our thirties when we got married, so hopefully the stupid stuff we did earlier. That’s probably the closest I have to what the key is.”