NCIS Stars Honor David McCallum: Celebrating a Legendary Life

Summary

NCIS castmates pay tribute to the late David McCallum, honoring his talent, friendship, and kind soul. His presence on the show will be deeply missed.

Fans adored McCallum's portrayal of Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard on NCIS, finding his performance to be both humorous and authentic, captivating viewers in every scene.

Despite his reduced presence on the screen in recent times, Ducky, played by McCallum, continued to play a vital role in solving cases on NCIS. The show will pay tribute to his enduring impact in the upcoming seasons.

The NCIS family, led by Mark Harmon, pays tribute to David McCallum, the actor who portrayed Ducky. McCallum joined the cast of the CBS procedural as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in 2003, playing the role of the chief medical examiner at the titular organization. Ducky's connection with the team extended beyond the show's beginning, as he was a long-time friend of Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Following the news of McCallum's passing at the age of 90, his fellow NCIS cast members honored him and his enduring impact on their respective social media platforms. Take a look at their heartfelt posts below:

Pauley Perrette reminisced about the early days of NCIS by sharing a nostalgic photo featuring herself, McCallum, and Sasha Alexandar. Accompanied by a slideshow of their memories throughout the years. In another tribute, Jess actress paid homage to McCallum, affectionately known as Ducky, by posting a picture of him with the caption "R.I.P."

Brian Dietzen expressed his condolences for his fellow NCIS co-star and conveyed his gratitude for their friendship. In spite of no longer being involved in the show, Michael Weatherly honored his former colleague by emphasizing McCallum's zest for life.

Lauren Holly, on the other hand, highlighted McCallum's kindness.

Finally, Jon Cryer expressed his gratitude for having the chance to work with McCallum.

Meanwhile, Harmon has shared his statement with TV Line. Below is his complete quote:

"David led an exceptional, fulfilling, and extended life. I was truly amazed when I first encountered him, and everyone on the show felt privileged to have stood alongside him. My heartfelt condolences go out to Katherine and his family."

Why Ducky Is So Important To NCIS

Ducky's role in NCIS naturally evolved as he had been with the team for a long time. In addition to being highly skilled in his position, he was known for his quirks, such as his love for colorful bow ties, which he regularly wore. Despite working in the gory field of being the chief medical examiner, Ducky managed to make it enjoyable for both himself and the viewers by talking to the deceased.

Ducky dedicated years to conducting autopsies on dead bodies for NCIS, and his findings often played a critical role in solving cases. However, in recent years, his appearances on the show became less frequent. Although McCallum officially remained part of the cast until season 20, he negotiated a limited amount of screen time with CBS. This decision was influenced by his desire to spend more time with his family, especially considering his age, which was already in his late '80s when the arrangement was made.

NCIS is set to come back for its 21st season, but its premiere date is still uncertain due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Nevertheless, one thing is certain: it will honor McCallum and his enduring impact as Ducky.

(Source: TV Line, Various)