Famous for his role as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, the forensic doctor in the series NCIS, but also a talented musician, actor David McCallum died Monday, September 25, in the morning of old age. He was 90 years old.
Actor and musician, famous for his role as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, the forensic pathologist for the US Naval Criminal Investigation Department of NCIS, David McCallum died Monday, September 25 of natural causes (old age), in New York Presbyterian Hospital. He celebrated his 90th birthday last week.
“David lived a long, full life. I was in awe when I first met him, and all of us on the show were honored to have come face to face with him. My condolences go out to Katherine and his family” wrote the actor of the series Mark Harmon, in a press release addressed to Deadline.
“David McCallum made every moment count, in life and on set. Let’s raise a glass and celebrate a funny, fantastic and genuine man. I only have 3 autographs. Connery, Tony Bennett and McCallum. […] Sending all the love in the world to his beautiful family. Rest in peace David”, reacted Michael Weatherlyhis former colleague in the series NCIS.
From Titanic to forensic pathologist
Born on September 19, 1933 in Scotland, to a violinist father and a cellist mother, David McCallum naturally studied music, before turning to a drama school, the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.
From 1957, he appeared in numerous British films, such as the solid Atlantique latitude 41 where he played one of the radio operators of the Titanic.
He became known to the general public in the 1960s by playing a Soviet secret agent named Illya Kouriakine in the series Very Special Agents. In 1963, he played Lieutenant Ashley-Pitt in The Great Escape, alongside Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson.
At the same time, David McCallum also has a successful musical career. He recorded, under the auspices of producer David Axelrod, four jazzy albums, on which he did not sing but played instruments. Among the famous pieces is The Edgewhich will be covered by rapper Dr Dre in his album The Next Episodein 2001.
Without really having a “big” role in the cinema, it is in TV series that David McCallum spent a large part of his career, notably in the very short The Invisible Man in 1975.
After appearances in multiple successful series, such as The All-Risk Agency (1986), Arabesque, New York District and Sex & the City, he established himself as a forensic pathologist in NCIS: Special Investigations in 2003.
A huge hit, this series will definitely put him in orbit: always elegant with his bow tie, he appears in all the episodes of the first 15 seasons, except one, before making more occasional appearances from season 16.