In the annals of Hollywood history, there are a select few actors whose names have become synonymous with the industry itself. David McCallum, a distinguished Scottish actor with a career spanning more than six decades, was undoubtedly one such figure. On September 25, 2023, the world said goodbye to this remarkable talent, just two days after celebrating the 20th anniversary of the premiere of NCIS, the iconic series in which he played the beloved character, Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard.
Early beginnings and the road to stardom
Now that McCallum’s untimely death has been announced, many NCIS fans are in mourning. The well-known actor died quietly in the presence of his loved ones in a hospital in New York. He was 90 years old.
Scottish-born McCallum rose to fame in the mid-1960s as secret agent Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
During his early years in Britain, David played the real-life role of a struggling Scotsman looking for secure work and income in the English film and television industry.
When he came to America in 1962, he was a “nobody” because he was not well known in his native country. However, he rose to fame for his performance as Kuryakin in U.N.C.L.E. McCallum received an incredible 35,000 letters from fans around the world during the show’s heyday.
But probably most notably, many people know him from the ongoing television program NCIS, where his character “Ducky” gained immense popularity and contributed greatly to the success of the show. McCallum made a name for himself as a sage, eccentric, and at times enigmatic chief medical examiner, earning him a place in the Hall of Fame of Hollywood’s Most Admired Artists.
“We are grateful that CBS was David McCallum’s home for so long, and we are terribly saddened by his passing. David was a talented playwright and performer who was loved around the world. He had an extraordinary life and his legacy will live on through his family and countless hours of film and television that will always exist, according to a statement from a CBS representative.
David McCallum’s NCIS Exam
Even McCallum’s 18 years on NCIS are exceptional. It is unusual for an actor to work on one TV show for so long and he has developed a close relationship with the audience.
But how did David get into the program in the first place? It turns out that his audition for NCIS was exceptional, which just highlights what an amazing person he was.
Even though David had a well-established acting career and was known to most people, he still had to convince CBS that he was the right choice for the role of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard.
McCallum provided some insight into the audition process that resulted in his role as Ducky on NCIS in an interview with Emmy magazine in 2021.
“We’d like you to go to [casting director] Bonnie Timmermann’s office and tape something for a show called NCIS,” the caller said as I walked down Park Avenue. Ducky is the name of the character you play, he said. “I walked into Bonnie’s office and sat on the floor. ‘Why are you on the floor?’ she said. Get up!” Then I commanded, “No, tilt the camera down.” There is a dead body on the floor that I have.
So I did the audition with the camera tilted, and David continued. Then I got a call to travel to Los Angeles to audition for Ducky. Casting director Susan Bluestein read the other characters. I repeated the action, left and they then presented the contract. I signed it, went to Paramount, which was close by, walked through those grand gates, and did the same audition again. Then, as I was leaving, my rental car had a flat tire. I got a phone call letting me know I was accepted. And with that, I replied, “Well, I’ll go get a car that works.” I continue to organize the program.
McCallum is survived by his five children and Katherine McCallum, his wife of 56 years. Following McCallum’s tragic passing, CBS aired a 20th anniversary-themed NCIS marathon special that included an “in memoriam” card as a tribute to the actor.
In the words of a CBS spokesperson: “David was a gifted actor and author who was loved by many around the world. He led an incredible life and his legacy will live on forever through his family and countless hours in film and television. it never goes away.”
David McCallum’s memory will live on not only because of his work but also because of the values ​​of resilience, compassion, and sacrifice that he embodied. He may have left this world, but his legacy will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come.
As fans and admirers, we remember and honor David McCallum, a true legend in every sense, and express our deepest gratitude for the indelible mark he left on the world of entertainment and beyond.