David McCallum was a Scottish actor and musician.
He first gained recognition in the 1960s for playing secret agent Illya Kuryakin in the television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
McCallum also played other notable television roles such as Carter in The Great Escape and Steel in Sapphire & Steel.
Beginning in 2003, he gained renewed international recognition and popularity for his role as NCIS medical examiner Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in the American television series NCIS.
McCallum was born on September 19, 1933, in Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland, the second of two sons of orchestral violinist David McCallum Sr. and Dorothy, a cellist.
He died on September 25, 2023, at the age of 90.
David McCallum’s early life
When he was three, McCallum’s family moved to London for his father to play as the leader of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
His first gained recognition in the 1960s for playing secret agent Illya Kuryakin in the television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E:
Beginning in 2003, McCallum gained renewed international recognition and popularity for his role as NCIS medical examiner Dr. Donald Ducky Mallard in the American television series NCIS.
McCallum was married twice and had five children, including Val.
He was also a musician and played several instruments, including the guitar, the violin, and the harmonica.
David McCallum death
McCallum died on September 25, 2023, at the age of 90, per multiple sources including The Guardian and The Fox.
Following the news of his death, numerous tributes from his NCIS co-stars came in over social media.
People reacted to his death with sadness and expressed their condolences to his family and friends.
Many fans of his work also shared their memories of him and how much they enjoyed watching him on screen.
His co-stars from NCIS shared their thoughts and memories of working with him, with many expressing their admiration for his talent and professionalism.
McCallum had a long and successful career in the entertainment industry, and his death is a loss to the industry and his fans.
He will be remembered for his contributions to television and film, and his legacy will live on through his work.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of David McCallum and privileged that CBS was his home for so many years. 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… pic.twitter.com/1UgOz7pQ8g
— The NCISverse (@ncisverse) September 25, 2023
David McCallum cause of death
McCallum died of natural causes on Monday, September 25, 2023, at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, surrounded by his family.
The exact cause of his death has not been disclosed, but it was confirmed to be natural causes, according Hollywood Reporter.
David McCallum career
McCallum began his acting career doing boy voices for BBC Radio in 1947 and taking bit parts in British films from the late 1950s.
His first acting role was in Whom the Gods Love (1950).
He also studied briefly at the Royal Academy of Music, but left to pursue acting.
McCallum gained recognition in the 1960s for playing secret agent Illya Kuryakin in the television series, The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Despite having only two lines in his first appearance, the producers saw potential in his character and expanded his role.
McCallum is also a trained musician and was involved in a series of albums in the 1960s.
He played the oboe and was a member of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra before pursuing acting.
Beginning in 2003, McCallum gained renewed international recognition and popularity for his role as NCIS medical examiner Dr. Donald Ducky Mallard in the American television series, NCIS.
He continued to act in other TV shows and movies throughout his career.
