NCIS Honors Late Actor David McCallum During CBS Marathon — See the Tribute
Monday’s NCIS marathon included a poignant nod to late cast member David McCallum, who passed away earlier that day at the age of 90.
At the conclusion of CBS’ re-airing of the NCIS series premiere (in honor of the show’s 20th anniversary), a photo of McCallum was shown along with the text: “In Memoriam: David McCallum, 1933-2023.”
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McCallum played chief medical examiner Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the CBS procedural for all 20 seasons, most recently appearing (remotely) in the final two episodes of Season 20 last spring. He was the show’s last remaining original cast member, following the exit of series lead Mark Harmon early in Season 19.
“For over 20 years, David McCallum endeared himself to audiences around the world playing the wise, quirky, and sometimes enigmatic, Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard,” NCIS‘ current exec producers, Seven D. Binder and David North, said in a statement. “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.” (Read more tributes from McCallum’s NCIS family here.)
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