David McCallum, the gifted actor who starred within the hit Nineteen Sixties drama “The Man From U.N.C.L.E” as Illya Kuryakin, died on Monday in Recent York City.
The Scottish star who also rose to fame playing chief medical expert Donald “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS, was 90.
“We’re deeply saddened by the passing of David McCallum and privileged that CBS was his home for therefore a few years. David was a gifted actor and writer, and beloved by many world wide,” CBS said in a press release.
The actor passed “peacefully” of natural causes surrounded by his family at Recent York Presbyterian Hospital, CBS announced.
“He led an incredible life, and his legacy will perpetually continue to exist through his family and the countless hours on film and tv that may never go away,” the statement from continued. “We are going to miss his warmth and endearing humorousness that lit up any room or soundstage he stepped onto, in addition to the sensible stories he often shared from a life well-lived. Our hearts exit to his wife Katherine and his entire family, and all those that knew and loved David.”
![David McCallum](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/David-McCallum-comp.jpg?w=1024)
McCallum’s son Peter also shared a press release on behalf of the family.
“He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father. He at all times put family before self. He looked forward to any probability to attach along with his grandchildren, and had a singular bond with each of them,” he said. “He and his youngest grandson, Whit, 9, could often be present in the corner of a room at family parties having deep philosophical conversations.”
The statement continued, “He was a real renaissance man—he was fascinated by science and culture and would turn those passions into knowledge. For instance, he was able to conducting a symphony orchestra and (if needed) could actually perform an autopsy, based on his decades-long studies for his role on ‘NCIS’.”
![avid McCallum, star of the NBC-TV series](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Obit_David_McCallum_03196-1a4e9-1.jpg?w=1024)
“After getting back from the hospital to their apartment, I asked my mother if she was OK before she went to sleep. Her answer was simply, ‘Yes. But I do wish we had had a probability to become old together.’ She is 79, and pop just turned 90. The honesty in that emotion shows how vibrant their beautiful relationship and every day lives were, and that in some way, even at 90, Daddy never grew old.”
McCallum was a staple on “NCIS.” The actor spent all 20 seasons of the crime series playing Ducky, an autopsy expert with a penchant for wearing bow ties. He appeared in greater than 450 episodes.
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“For over twenty years, David McCallum endeared himself to audiences world wide playing the sensible, quirky, and sometimes enigmatic, Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard,” “NCIS” executive producers Steven D. Binder and David North shared in a joint statement.
“But as much as his fans could have loved him, those that worked side by side with David loved him that rather more. He was a scholar and a gentleman, at all times gracious, a consummate skilled, and never one to pass up a joke.”
They added: “From day one, it was an honor to work with him and he never allow us to down. He was, quite simply, a legend. He was also family and can be deeply missed.”
This story is developing.
The Post has reached out to McCallum’s representatives for comment.
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