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David McCallum, renowned for his portrayal of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the highly-rated CBS series “NCIS,” passed away at 90, as confirmed by his family. His son, Peter, expressed, “He was the gentlest, most composed, remarkably patient, and affectionate father. His family always took precedence over himself. He eagerly anticipated every opportunity to connect with his grandchildren, and he shared a special bond with each of them.” McCallum succumbed to natural causes on September 5 at New York Presbyterian Hospital, as disclosed by his family.
In response to this sorrowful news, executive producers of “NCIS,” Steven D. Binder and David North, issued an official statement, lauding McCallum as “a scholar” and “an consummate professional” endowed with an exceptional work ethic and a matching sense of humor. Their statement conveyed, “Since day one, it was a privilege to collaborate with him, and he never disappointed us. He was, in every sense, a legend. He was also family, and his absence will be deeply felt,” as reported by Deadline.
CBS also extended their condolences in a statement, expressing their grief while recounting McCallum’s tenure with the network. “Our thoughts are with his wife Katherine, his entire family, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and cherishing David,” the statement conveyed.
David McCallum embarked on his acting journey in the late 1950s, with early appearances in British cinema. It wasn’t until the ’60s, however, that he achieved widespread recognition with his portrayal of Illya Kuryakin in NBC’s “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” By the series’ conclusion in 1968, McCallum had solidified his reputation as a stellar actor. Predictably, he continued to enjoy success in both film and television.
In 2003, McCallum made a triumphant return to television, landing the role of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in CBS’ “NCIS.” He faithfully portrayed the character for 15 seasons until 2018, when his character transitioned from the role of chief medical examiner, according to Express. However, rather than bidding farewell to the show entirely, producers opted to retain McCallum in the capacity of a historian, allowing for occasional cameo appearances in subsequent seasons. “I sort of decided to leave the show, and they said, ‘No, we’d like to make you the historian so you’re still a part of the show’,” he shared in November 2022. The veteran actor confirmed he had two more episodes with “NCIS” before contemplating full retirement, stating, “I’ll be going out to shoot it, health permitting, if and when they need me. Retirement is a work in progress, shall we say!” as disclosed to Radio Times.