David McCallum (September 19, 1933 - September 25, 2023) was a Scottish actor and musician. He gained wide recognition in the 1960s for playing secret agent Illya Kuryakin in the television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. His other notable television roles include Carter in Colditz (1972โ€“1974) and Steel in Sapphire & Steel (1979โ€“1982). Beginning in 2003, McCallum gained renewed international popularity for his role as NCIS medical examiner Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in the American television series NCIS. On film, McCallum notably appeared in The Great Escape (1963). He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, to David McCallum Sr., an orchestral violinist, and Dorothy (nรฉe Dorman), a cellist. He began his acting career in the early 1950s, appearing in British television shows and films. In 1957, he moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in American cinema. His breakthrough role came in 1964 when he was cast as Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The show was a huge success, and he became an international star. After the show ended in 1968, he continued to act in films and television shows, but he never achieved the same level of success. In 2003, he was cast as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in NCIS. The show was a critical and commercial success, and McCallum became one of the most popular members of the cast. He remained with the show for a 20-year run, and became the longest-serving cast member. In addition to his acting career, he was also a musician. He has released several albums of folk and pop music, and he also toured extensively.

David McCallum

David McCallum

Acting Born September 19, 1933 – Died September 25, 2023 Glasgow, Scotland, UK

David McCallum (September 19, 1933 - September 25, 2023) was a Scottish actor and musician. He gained wide recognition in the 1960s for playing secret agent Illya Kuryakin in the television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. His other notable television roles include Carter in Colditz (1972โ€“1974) and Steel in Sapphire & Steel (1979โ€“1982). Beginning in 2003, McCallum gained renewed international popularity for his role as NCIS medical examiner Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in the American television series NCIS. On film, McCallum notably appeared in The Great Escape (1963).

He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, to David McCallum Sr., an orchestral violinist, and Dorothy (nรฉe Dorman), a cellist. He began his acting career in the early 1950s, appearing in British television shows and films. In 1957, he moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in American cinema.

His breakthrough role came in 1964 when he was cast as Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The show was a huge success, and he became an international star. After the show ended in 1968, he continued to act in films and television shows, but he never achieved the same level of success.

In 2003, he was cast as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in NCIS. The show was a critical and commercial success, and McCallum became one of the most popular members of the cast. He remained with the show for a 20-year run, and became the longest-serving cast member.

In addition to his acting career, he was also a musician. He has released several albums of folk and pop music, and he also toured extensively.

Known For

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson poster

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Self
Law & Order poster

Law & Order

Craig Holland
NCIS poster

NCIS

Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard
The Mike Douglas Show poster

The Mike Douglas Show

Self
JAG poster

JAG

Donald Mallard
Perry Mason poster

Perry Mason

Phillipe Bertain
Golden Globe Awards poster

Golden Globe Awards

Self - Nominee
Murder, She Wrote poster

Murder, She Wrote

Cyril Grantham
Murder, She Wrote poster

Murder, She Wrote

Drew Garrison
The A-Team poster

The A-Team

Ivan Tregorin
Babylon 5 poster

Babylon 5

Dr. Vance Hendricks
Sex and the City poster

Sex and the City

Duncan