The world bid farewell to the legendary David McCallum, “NCIS” star, who passed away at the age of 90. McCallum, with a career spanning the 1960s to the 1980s, played iconic roles in series such as “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” “Colditz,” and “Sapphire & Steel.” However, it was his portrayal of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on “NCIS” that solidified his status as one of the most prolific TV actors of his generation.
Unlike his co-star Mark Harmon, who received a grand send-off in 2021, McCallum’s exit from “NCIS” lacked a comparable farewell. His sporadic appearances in the latest season, including a brief role in the Season 20 finale, “Black Sky,” turned out to be his final performance as Ducky Mallard due to his passing.
While his last appearance was minor, it reflected a trend of diminishing screen time for Ducky Mallard in the years leading up to McCallum’s final episode. In Season 20, McCallum appeared in only four episodes, consistent with the prior season, and his presence had gradually waned since the 16th season (2018-2019).
In a November 2022 interview with Radio Times, McCallum expressed a sense of disconnect on the set, stating, “When I go there, it’s like being in a different show. It doesn’t quite make sense anymore.” “NCIS” executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson acknowledged McCallum’s reduced presence, mentioning the challenges faced by the actor and hinting at his readiness to retire.
Despite never officially leaving or retiring, McCallum’s passing occurred before any additional scenes for “NCIS” could be recorded, due to this year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes delaying production. Whether he had plans to return or not remains unknown, but fans can celebrate the substantial number of episodes featuring McCallum’s Ducky during his remarkable 20-year tenure on the show.
