David McCallum during CBS and UPN 2005 TCA Party – Arrivals at Quixote Studios in Los Angeles, … [+]
David McCallum, who rose to fame in the 1960s spy drama The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and found success decades later in NCIS, died Monday of natural causes at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
“He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father. He always put family before self,” said McCallum’s son Peter in a statement. “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,” he added.
Born September 19, 1933 in Scotland, David McCallum began his career on screen doing voices for BBC Radio in 1947 and taking bit small in British films. His first acting role was in Whom the Gods Love, Die Young playing a doomed royal.
Following a roster of guest appearances on U.S. television in series like western The Travels of Jaime McPheeters, Perry Mason and sci-fi anthology The Outer Limits, McCallum got his big break as Illya Kuryakin alongside Robert Vaughn’s Napoleon Solo in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. The spy drama ran from 1964 to 1968 and earned McCallum nominations for two Emmy Awards and one Golden Globe.
In 1983, Vaughn and McCallum reunited in the TV movie, The Return of the Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Robert Vaughn as Napoleon Solo and David McCallum as Illya Kuryakin in popular TV series ‘The ‘Man … [+]
Decades later, in 2003, McCallum began his long-running supporting role as pathologist Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS, which he originated in two episodes of the parent series JAG.
VALENCIA, CA – FEBRUARY 09: (L – R) Actors Brian Dietzen, Rocky Carroll, Mark Harmon, Emily … [+]
McCallum’s film roles included the Biblical drama The Greatest Story Ever Told, The Great Escape, Mosquito Squadron, Billy Bud, Freud and A Night to Remember.
In addition to acting, McCallum also orchestrated and conducted a trio of records. He was also an author, with his first novel, Once a Crooked Man, published in 2016.
“David was a gifted actor and author, and beloved by many around the world,” said CBS in a statement. “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.”
“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 in a statement. “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 one, 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.”
McCallum is survived by his wife of 56 years Katherine McCallum, three sons (Paul McCallum, Valentine McCallum and Peter McCallum), his daughter Sophie McCallum and eight grandchildren.
