David McCallum, who portrayed a medical examiner on “NCIS,” died on Monday. He was 90.
The famed British actor portrayed Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the hit CBS television series NCIS. It was a role he played for 20 seasons.
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“He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father. 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,” his son Peter McCallum shared in a statement on behalf of the family to People magazine. “He and his youngest grandson, Whit, 9, could often be found in the corner of a room at family parties having deep philosophical conversations.”
McCallum’s representative confirmed his death to Fox News Digital. He died of natural causes at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
“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,” CBS said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
McCallum also spent a four-season stint as Kuryakin on NBC and MGM Television’s The Man From U.N.C.L.E., which aired from 1964-68. He received a pair of Emmy nominations for playing the intellectual, introverted spy.
“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,” the family said in its statement.
Said NCIS executive producers Steven D. Binder and David North said in a statement to Hollywood Reporter: “For over 20 years, David McCallum endeared himself to audiences around the world playing the wise, quirky, and sometimes enigmatic, Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard. 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.”
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