David McCallum obit

David McCallum Dies: Beloved ‘NCIS’ Actor & ‘Man From U.N.C.L.E’ Star Was 90

 

He was not on the list.

NCIS veteran David McCallum, also known for his Emmy-nominated role in The Man From U.N.C.L.E., died peacefully this morning of natural causes at New York Presbyterian Hospital, surrounded by family. He was 90, having celebrated his birthday less than a week ago.

A fan favorite, McCallum was the last remaining original cast member on CBS’ NCIS, in which he played Chief Medical Examiner Donald “Ducky” Mallard, an eccentric but highly efficient investigator with a knack for psychological profiling, for two decades.

 

“For over 20 years, David McCallum endeared himself to audiences around the world playing the wise, quirky, and sometimes enigmatic, Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard,” said NCIS executive producers Steven D. Binder and David North. “But as much as his fans may have loved him, those who worked side by side with David loved him that much more. He was a scholar and a gentleman, always gracious, a consummate professional, and never one to pass up a joke. From Day 1, it was an honor to work with him and he never let us down. He was, quite simply, a legend. He was also family and will be deeply missed.”

The previously announced 20th anniversary NCIS marathon will now include an “In memoriam” card in remembrance of McCallum. You can see it below.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of David McCallum and privileged that CBS was his home for so many years,” the network and NCIS studio CBS Studios said in a joint statement. “David was a gifted actor and author, and beloved by many around the world. He led an incredible life, and his legacy will forever live on through his family and the countless hours on film and television that will never go away. We will miss his warmth and endearing sense of humor that lit up any room or soundstage he stepped onto, as well as the brilliant stories he often shared from a life well-lived. Our hearts go out to his wife Katherine and his entire family, and all those who knew and loved David.”

 

Born in Glasgow, Scotland on Sept. 19, 1933 in a prominent musical family, McCallum studied at the Royal Academy of Music. Following a well received performance from Shakespeare’s King John at a local theater group, he switched his focus to acting while keeping music as a secondary interest. After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, he joined Actors’ Equity in 1946 where he began working on BBC Radio and made his debut in a 1946 production of Whom the Gods Love, Die Young. That was followed by several years in repertory theater. His many theater productions include Amadeus, Communicating Doors, The Hunting of the Snark, Comedians, The Lion in Winter and Julius Caesar.

After moving to America in 1961, McCallum was cast in the role of Illya Kuryakin in the TV series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Initially a minor character with two lines. But that was enough for producers to see that McCallum and star Robert Vaughn had considerable chemistry together, and McCallum was boosted to co-star status, with the role earning him two Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe nod. He went on to appear in the movies The Greatest Story Ever Told, The Great Escape, Mosquito Squadron, Billy Budd, Freud and A Night to Remember and in several TV movies, including the 1969 Teacher, Teacher, which landed him his third Emmy nomination.

McCallum found his next hit with NCIS. A close confidante to Mark Harmon’s Jethro Gibbs, his “Ducky” Mallard served as father confessor and paternal figure for the show’s offbeat cast of characters. McCallum remained on the show til the end, working a lighter schedule over the last several years. He showcased his signature sense humor in announcing his return in 2018.

McCallum’s extensive TV series credits also include The Invisible Man, The Education of Max Bickford, Sapphire and Steel, Colditz, Motherlove, Kidnapped, and episodes of The Outer Limits, Law & Order and Sex and the City. He also voiced characters in the animated series The Replacements and Ben 10 and narrated more than 30 books on tape and CD.

In addition to acting, McCallum also orchestrated and conducted a trio of records that put unique spins on some of the period’s more popular songs. In 2016 McCallum published his first novel, Once a Crooked Man.

Callum is survived by his wife of 56 years, Katherine McCallum, his sons Paul McCallum, Valentine McCallum and Peter McCallum, his daughter Sophie McCallum and his eight grandchildren: Julia McCallum, Luca de Sanctis, Iain de Sanctis, Stella McCallum, Gavin McCallum, George McCallum, Alessandro de Sanctis and Whit McCallum.

“He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father,” Peter McCallum said in a statement on behalf of the family. “He always put family before self. He looked forward to any chance to connect with his grandchildren, and had a unique bond with each of them. He and his youngest grandson, Whit, 9, could often be found in the corner of a room at family parties having deep philosophical conversations.

“He was a true renaissance man — he was fascinated by science and culture and would turn those passions into knowledge. For example, he was capable of conducting a symphony orchestra and (if needed) could actually perform an autopsy, based on his decades-long studies for his role on NCIS.

“After returning from the hospital to their apartment, I asked my mother if she was OK before she went to sleep. Her answer was simply, ‘Yes. But I do wish we had had a chance to grow old together.’ She is 79, and dad just turned 90. The honesty in that emotion shows how vibrant their beautiful relationship and daily lives were, and that somehow, even at 90, Daddy never grew old.”

In lieu of flowers, McCallum’s family asks that donations be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation at http://www.mcsf.org.

No immediate memorial service will take place, instead a celebration of life service will be held in the future.

 

Actor

Mark Harmon, Maria Bello, Wilmer Valderrama, Rocky Carroll, David McCallum, Sean Murray, Brian Dietzen, Emily Wickersham, and Diona Reasonover in NCIS (2003)

NCIS

7.8

TV Series

Donald Mallard

Donald 'Ducky' Mallard

Dr. Donald Mallard

2003–2023

457 episodes

 

Scott Bakula in NCIS: New Orleans (2014)

NCIS: New Orleans

6.8

TV Series

Donald Mallard

2014–2016

2 episodes

 

Jason O'Mara and Stuart Allan in Batman vs. Robin (2015)

Batman vs. Robin

7.1

Video

Alfred Pennyworth (voice)

2015

 

Ben 10: Omniverse (2012)

Ben 10: Omniverse

6.3

TV Series

Professor Paradox (voice)

2013–2014

6 episodes

 

Son of Batman (2014)

Son of Batman

6.7

Video

Alfred (voice)

2014

 

Diablo III (2012)

Diablo III

7.9

Video Game

Additional Voices (voice)

2012

 

Ben 10: Ultimate Alien (2010)

Ben 10: Ultimate Alien

7.7

TV Series

Professor Paradox (voice)

2010–2011

3 episodes

 

NCIS (2011)

NCIS

6.6

Video Game

Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard (voice)

2011

 

Ben 10: Alien Force (2008)

Ben 10: Alien Force

7.4

TV Series

Professor Paradox (voice)

2008–2010

4 episodes

 

Ben 10: Alien Force - Vilgax Attacks (2009)

Ben 10: Alien Force - Vilgax Attacks

5.7

Video Game

Professor Paradox (voice)

2009

 

Nancy Cartwright, Grey Griffin, Daran Norris, David McCallum, and Kath Soucie in The Replacements (2006)

The Replacements

5.8

TV Series

C.A.R.

Canadian Chauffer (voice)

2006–2009

67 episodes

 

Wonder Woman (2009)

Wonder Woman

7.2

Video

Zeus (voice)

2009

 

FusionFall (2009)

FusionFall

7.9

Video Game

Paradox (voice)

2009

 

Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008)

Batman: The Brave and the Bold

7.3

TV Series

Merlin (voice)

2009

1 episode

 

Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)

Batman: Gotham Knight

6.6

Video

Alfred Pennyworth (voice)

2008

 

NCIS: Ducky's World

8.0

Video

Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard

2007

 

Catherine Bell and David James Elliott in JAG (1995)

JAG

6.7

TV Series

Donald Mallard

2003

2 episodes

 

Luke Perry and Malcolm-Jamal Warner in Jeremiah (2002)

Jeremiah

7.0

TV Series

Clarence

2002

1 episode

 

Richard Dreyfuss, Marcia Gay Harden, Helen Shaver, Katee Sackhoff, and Regina Taylor in The Education of Max Bickford (2001)

The Education of Max Bickford

7.2

TV Series

Walter Thornhill

2001–2002

9 episodes

 

Lili Taylor, Bebe Neuwirth, Oliver Platt, and Tom Conti in Deadline (2000)

Deadline

6.1

TV Series

Harry Hobbs

2000

1 episode

 

Shalom Harlow and Jake Weber in Cherry (1999)

Cherry

5.4

Mammy

1999

 

Kim Cattrall, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon in Sex and the City (1998)

Sex and the City

7.3

TV Series

Duncan

1999

1 episode

 

Peter O'Toole and Joanna Lumley in Coming Home (1998)

Coming Home

6.8

TV Mini Series

Billy Fawcett

1998

1 episode

 

March in Windy City (1998)

March in Windy City

6.3

TV Movie

Daniel Paterson

Dimitri Petrovsky

1998

 

Duane Davis, Brixton Karnes, Christine Steel, Kathy Trageser, and Nick Wechsler in Team Knight Rider (1997)

Team Knight Rider

4.5

TV Series

Mobius

1997–1998

4 episodes

 

Three (1998)

Three

7.8

TV Series

Donald Scobie

1998

1 episode

 

The Outer Limits (1995)

The Outer Limits

7.7

TV Series

Joshua Hayward

1997

1 episode

 

Law & Order (1990)

Law & Order

7.8

TV Series

Craig Holland

1997

1 episode

 

VR.5 (1995)

VR.5

7.3

TV Series

Dr. Joseph Bloom

1995–1997

7 episodes

 

Scott Bakula and Maria Bello in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1996)

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

7.1

TV Series

Ian Felton

1996

1 episode

 

Privateer 2: The Darkening (1996)

Privateer 2: The Darkening

8.4

Video Game

Canera Captain

1996

 

Death Game (1996)

Death Game

3.7

TV Movie

Malius (as David MacCallum)

1996

 

Nick Berry in Heartbeat (1992)

Heartbeat

6.8

TV Series

Cooper

1994

1 episode

 

Turhan Bey in Healer (1994)

Healer

5.0

The Jackal

1994

 

Bruce Boxleitner, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Jerry Doyle, and Andreas Katsulas in Babylon 5 (1993)

Babylon 5

8.4

TV Series

Dr. Vance Hendricks

1994

1 episode

 

Bo Derek and Jack Scalia in Shattered Image (1994)

Shattered Image

4.9

TV Movie

Ben

1994

 

Corbin Bernsen, Kevin Davis, David McCallum, and Emma Samms in Fatal Inheritance (1993)

Fatal Inheritance

4.4

Brandon Murphy

1993

 

SeaQuest 2032 (1993)

SeaQuest 2032

6.7

TV Series

Frank Cobb

1993

1 episode

 

Lia Williams in Dirty Weekend (1993)

Dirty Weekend

5.1

Reggie

1993

 

Trainer (1991)

Trainer

8.3

TV Series

John Grey

1991–1992

23 episodes

 

Adrian Dunbar and Tara Fitzgerald in Hear My Song (1991)

Hear My Song

7.0

Jim Abbott

1991

 

Kate O'Mara, Ian Lavender, Derek Nimmo, David Robb, Joan Sims, and Toyah Willcox in Cluedo (1990)

Cluedo

6.5

TV Series

Professor Plum

1991

6 episodes

 

Kenneth Branagh, Alan Cumming, Vincent Price, Rufus Sewell, David Warner, Rosalind Ayres, Dennis Burgess, Andrew Cruickshank, Joanna David, Anthony Dutton, Peter Dyneley, John Flanagan, James Hayter, Joan Hickson, Alison Key, Cyril Luckham, Ferdy Mayne, Julia McKenzie, Ben Miles, Kenneth More, Ronald Pickup, Gene Shalit, David Suchet, Gwen Watford, Martin Compston, Caterina Murino, Cosima Shaw, and Kimberley Nixon in Masterpiece Mystery (1980)

Masterpiece Mystery

8.9

TV Series

Alex Vesey

1990

3 episodes

 

Boon (1986)

Boon

6.4

TV Series

Simon Bradleigh

1990

1 episode

 

Lucky Chances (1990)

Lucky Chances

6.4

TV Mini Series

Bernard Dimes

1990

3 episodes

 

Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote (1984)

Murder, She Wrote

7.2

TV Series

Drew Garrison

Cyril Grantham

1989–1990

2 episodes

 

Tom Bosley and Tracy Nelson in Fatal Confession: A Father Dowling Mystery (1987)

Father Dowling Mysteries

6.9

TV Series

Sir Robert

1990

1 episode

 

The Haunting of Morella (1990)

The Haunting of Morella

4.4

Gideon

1990

 

Mother Love (1989)

Mother Love

8.4

TV Mini Series

Alex Vesey

1989

4 episodes

 

The Return of Sam McCloud (1989)

The Return of Sam McCloud

6.1

TV Movie

Inspector Craig

1989

 

Joss Ackland in The Man Who Lived at the Ritz (1989)

The Man Who Lived at the Ritz

6.6

TV Movie

Charlie Ritz

1989

 

Monsters (1988)

Monsters

7.3

TV Series

Boyle

1988

1 episode

 

Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985)

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

7.7

TV Series

Lieutenant Cavanaugh

1988

1 episode

 

Freedom Fighter (1988)

Freedom Fighter

6.7

TV Movie

Sergeant Kemper

1988

 

Andy Griffith in Matlock (1986)

Matlock

7.1

TV Series

Philip Dudley

1987

1 episode

 

Az aranyifjú (1987)

Az aranyifjú

7.6

TV Movie

Zombori felügyelõ

1987

 

The Wind (1986)

The Wind

5.0

Video

John

1986

 

George Peppard, Mr. T, Dirk Benedict, and Dwight Schultz in The A-Team (1983)

The A-Team

7.5

TV Series

Ivan Tregorin

1986

1 episode

 

Those Golden Years

TV Movie

1985

 

Behind Enemy Lines (1985)

Behind Enemy Lines

5.6

TV Movie

Lt. Col. Shelley Flynn

1985

 

Terminal Choice (1985)

Terminal Choice

5.3

Dr. Giles Dodson

1985

 

Dirk Benedict, Jan Francis, and Peter Graves in Fox Mystery Theater (1984)

Fox Mystery Theater

7.3

TV Series

Frank Lane

1984

1 episode

 

Lee Van Cleef, Shô Kosugi, and Timothy Van Patten in The Master (1984)

The Master

4.4

TV Series

Castile

1984

1 episode

 

As the World Turns (1956)

As the World Turns

6.2

TV Series

Maurice Vermeil

1983

1 episode

 

Robert Vaughn and David McCallum in The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair (1983)

The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair

6.4

TV Movie

Illya Kuryakin

1983

 

Hart to Hart (1979)

Hart to Hart

6.7

TV Series

Geoffrey Atterton

1983

1 episode

 

Joanna Lumley and David McCallum in Sapphire & Steel (1979)

Sapphire & Steel

7.9

TV Series

Steel

1979–1982

34 episodes

 

Dorian Harewood, Michael Goodwin, Trisha Noble, Richard Romanus, and Robert Stack in Strike Force (1981)

Strike Force

6.9

TV Series

William Hadley

1982

1 episode

 

The Watcher in the Woods (1980)

The Watcher in the Woods

6.1

Paul Curtis

1980

 

King Solomon's Treasure (1979)

King Solomon's Treasure

3.9

Sir Henry Curtis

1979

 

Kidnapped (1978)

Kidnapped

7.6

TV Mini Series

Alan Breck Stewart

1978

13 episodes

 

Dogs (1977)

Dogs

4.8

Harlan Thompson

1977

 

Bert D'Angelo/Superstar (1976)

Bert D'Angelo/Superstar

5.9

TV Series

Cobb

1976

1 episode

 

David McCallum in The Invisible Man (1975)

The Invisible Man

6.6

TV Series

Dr. Daniel Westin

1975–1976

13 episodes

 

Hayley Mills, Jon Cypher, and David McCallum in The Kingfisher Caper (1975)

The Kingfisher Caper

4.5

Benedict Van Der Byl

1975

 

Robert Wagner, David McCallum, and Hans Meyer in Colditz (1972)

Colditz

8.3

TV Series

Flt. Lt. Simon Carter

1972–1974

26 episodes

 

Frankenstein: The True Story (1973)

Frankenstein: The True Story

7.2

TV Movie

Dr. Henri Clerval

1973

 

The Six Million Dollar Man: Wine, Women and War (1973)

The Six Million Dollar Man: Wine, Women and War

6.8

TV Movie

Alexi Kaslov

1973

 

David McCallum in Screaming Skull (1973)

Screaming Skull

4.6

TV Movie

Dr. Luke Pratt

1973

 

Norman Corwin Presents (1971)

Norman Corwin Presents

7.4

TV Series

1972

2 episodes

 

James Brolin, Robert Young, Barbara Sigel, and Elena Verdugo in Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969)

Marcus Welby, M.D.

7.0

TV Series

Brian Kenny

1972

1 episode

 

Patty Duke in She Waits (1972)

She Waits

5.6

TV Movie

Mark Wilson

1972

 

The Man and the City (1971)

The Man and the City

8.6

TV Series

1971

1 episode

 

Rod Serling in Night Gallery (1969)

Night Gallery

7.9

TV Series

Dr. Joel Winter (segment "The Phantom Farmhouse")

1971

1 episode

 

Hauser's Memory (1970)

Hauser's Memory

6.3

TV Movie

Hillel Mondoro

1970

 

The File on Devlin (1969)

The File on Devlin

5.6

TV Movie

Kenneth Canfield

1969

 

Nicoletta Machiavelli and David McCallum in The Ravine (1969)

The Ravine

6.4

Sergeant Stephen Holmann

1969

 

Mosquito Squadron (1969)

Mosquito Squadron

5.7

Quint Munroe

1969

 

Teacher, Teacher

8.2

TV Movie

Hamilton Cade

1969

 

Sol Madrid (1968)

Sol Madrid

5.6

Sol Madrid

1968

 

Robert Vaughn, Leo G. Carroll, and David McCallum in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964)

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

7.7

TV Series

Illya Kuryakin

Maximilian Nexor

1964–1968

105 episodes

 

Three Bites of the Apple (1967)

Three Bites of the Apple

6.2

Stanley Thrumm

1967

 

Janet Leigh, Jack Palance, Robert Vaughn, and David McCallum in The Spy in the Green Hat (1967)

The Spy in the Green Hat

5.7

Illya Kuryakin

1967

 

Lloyd Bridges, Shirley Eaton, and David McCallum in Around the World Under the Sea (1966)

Around the World Under the Sea

5.2

Dr. Phil Volker

1966

 

Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1965)

Please Don't Eat the Daisies

7.0

TV Series

Illya Kuryakin (as Illya Kuryakin)

1966

1 episode

 

Robert Vaughn in The Spy with My Face (1965)

The Spy with My Face

6.0

Illya Kuryakin

1965

 

The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)

The Greatest Story Ever Told

6.5

Judas Iscariot

1965

 

Profiles in Courage (1964)

Profiles in Courage

8.5

TV Series

John Adams

1964

1 episode

 

The Outer Limits (1963)

The Outer Limits

8.2

TV Series

Tone Hobart

Gwyllim Griffiths

1963–1964

2 episodes

 

David McCallum in The Unknown (1964)

The Unknown

7.0

TV Movie

Tone Hobart

1964

 

The Great Adventure (1963)

The Great Adventure

8.7

TV Series

Capt. Hanning

1964

2 episodes

 

Raymond Burr in Perry Mason (1957)

Perry Mason

8.3

TV Series

Phillipe Bertain

1964

1 episode

 

"The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters" Kurt Russell, Jean Engstrom 1963 MGM

The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters

7.6

TV Series

Prophet

1964

1 episode

 

Richard Attenborough, Steve McQueen, and James Garner in The Great Escape (1963)

The Great Escape

8.2

Ashley-Pitt 'Dispersal'

1963

 

Montgomery Clift, Susan Kohner, Larry Parks, and Susannah York in Freud (1962)

Freud

7.2

Carl von Schlosser

1962

 

Billy Budd (1962)

Billy Budd

7.8

Steven Wyatt - Gunnery Officer

1962

 

Claire Bloom and Keith Michell in Wuthering Heights (1962)

Wuthering Heights

7.6

TV Movie

Edgar

1962

 

Sir Francis Drake (1961)

Sir Francis Drake

7.2

TV Series

Lord Oakeshott

1961

1 episode

 

ITV Play of the Week (1955)

ITV Play of the Week

7.3

TV Series

Lieutenant Fulda

Rainbow

Henry Antrobus

1959–1961

3 episodes

 

Karolina Rijecka (1961)

Karolina Rijecka

5.8

Mr. George

1961

 

Jungle Fighters (1961)

Jungle Fighters

6.7

Pte. Whitaker

1961

 

Jungle Street Girls (1960)

Jungle Street Girls

5.9

Terry Collins

1960

 

Kay Callard and John Turner in Knight Errant Limited (1959)

Knight Errant Limited

8.4

TV Series

Peter Jarrett

Paul Freeman

1960

2 episodes

 

ITV Television Playhouse (1955)

ITV Television Playhouse

8.1

TV Series

Robert

Agent

James

1956–1960

3 episodes

 

Armchair Theatre (1956)

Armchair Theatre

7.7

TV Series

Jimmy MacGrath

Narrator

1959–1960

2 episodes

 

Bob Dylan, David Warner, Ursula Howells, Reg Lye, and Maureen Pryor in The Madhouse on Castle Street (1963)

BBC Sunday-Night Play

9.0

TV Series

Nicky Lancaster

1960

1 episode

 

Emma

TV Mini Series

Frank Churchill

1960

5 episodes

 

Antigone

TV Movie

Haemon

1959

 

BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950)

BBC Sunday-Night Theatre

7.9

TV Series

Hugo

1959

1 episode

 

The Eustace Diamonds

TV Series

Frank Greystock

1959

6 episodes

 

Our Mutual Friend (1958)

Our Mutual Friend

5.5

TV Mini Series

Eugene Wrayburn

1958–1959

10 episodes

 

A Night to Remember (1958)

A Night to Remember

7.9

Assistant Wireless Operator Harold Bride

1958

 

Saturday Playhouse

TV Series

Albert Feather

1958

1 episode

 

Television World Theatre (1957)

Television World Theatre

TV Series

Mercury

1958

1 episode

 

Stanley Baker, Anne Heywood, and David McCallum in Violent Playground (1958)

Violent Playground

6.6

Johnnie Murphy

1958

 

Robbery Under Arms (1957)

Robbery Under Arms

6.0

Jim Marston

1957

 

Stanley Baker and Peggy Cummins in Hell Drivers (1957)

Hell Drivers

7.2

Jimmy Yately

1957

 

Dangerous Youth (1957)

Dangerous Youth

6.0

1957

 

Belinda Lee in The Secret Place (1957)

The Secret Place

6.6

Mike Wilson

1957

 

Night Ambush (1957)

Night Ambush

6.5

Sailor on Pick Up Ship (uncredited)

1957

 

The Rose and the Ring

TV Mini Series

Giglio

1953

3 episodes