The British actor David McCallum, who played the coroner “Ducky” in the series “NCIS” for 20 seasons, died this Monday at the age of 90, according to the North American press.
The CBS television channel reported that the actor died of natural causes, surrounded by his family in a New York hospital.
“He was the kindest, gentlest, most patient and affectionate father,” his son, Peter McCallum, told the same television station.
After graduating from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, McCallum was part of the epic 1963 war film “The Great Escape” alongside stars such as Steve McQueen, James Garner, Charles Bronson and Donald Pleasence.
It was the following year, when he played the enigmatic Russian spy Illya Kuryakin, in “The Man from UNCLE”, opposite Robert Vaughn as Napoleon Solo, that McCallum found fame. The series only lasted four years, but the character followed McCallum throughout his life.
In 2003, he took on the role of coroner Donald “Ducky” Mallard on “NCIS”, a hugely successful series with millions of viewers around the world.
Source: TSF
