# David McCallum dies age 90 (NCIS and Man From Uncle) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, celebrity-death\ **Created:** [September 25, 2023, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691 "2023-09-25T22:12:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/1 "2023-09-25T22:12:50Z")
This one hurts. Ducky on NCIS was my favorite character. David was excellent in the role. He played the character with a lot of vigor up until the recent seasons. People never realized he was playing a character 20 years younger than himself. RIP > **['NCIS' Star David McCallum Dead at 90: 'A Scholar and a Gentleman'](https://people.com/ncis-star-david-mccallum-dead-7974574)** > > David McCallum — who starred as Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard on the CBS procedural 'NCIS' — died of natural causes at New York Presbyterian Hospital on Sept. 25 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/2 "2023-09-25T22:29:56Z")
Damn. I got a notification that it was his birthday on my Facebook feed the other day. My wife _loves_ David McCallum as an actor. We watch a lot of _NCIS_, and she kind of lost interest when he semi-retired from the show. I have the _The Man From U.N.C.L.E._ boxed (or ‘briefcased’) set of DVDs that she gave me for Christmas one year. In the newest episode of _NCIS_ that he was in (showing up via video conferencing) he looked very old and tired. But dammit, he was working until the end! R.I.P. Illya ‘Ducky’ Kuryakin. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/3 "2023-09-25T22:41:46Z")
I was very surprised to learn David was approximately 70 during season 1 of NCIS. Ducky appeared to be in his mid fifties. He would climb down steep hills and crawl into wrecked cars to reach bodies. Ducky had short-lived romantic interests in a few episodes. I’m not very familiar with Man from U.N.C.L.E. I do know David was a notable star on that show. A career come back 40 years later is remarkable. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/4 "2023-09-25T22:48:23Z")
I was a fan back when he was doing U.N.C.L.E. It was groundbreaking to portray a Russian as a good guy on US TV. He also was memorable as a tax agent in _Hear My Song._ RIP ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/5 "2023-09-25T22:48:28Z")
I never met the man. (I once thought I saw him on the street in New York City, but it probably wasn’t him; I am, to put it mildly, not good at recognizing people. I didn’t have the chutzpah to go after him and ask.) I hardly ever watched NCIS, or anything else he was in much after the 60’s. Why am I now grieving for Illya Kuryakin, who, depending on one’s definitions, either never existed or still does? I am, though. Damn. Rest well, David. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/6 "2023-09-25T22:51:40Z")
On NCIS he looked just like an older Ilya Kuryakin. The Man from Uncle made him famous, although some might recall him appearing in two Outer Limits episodes or on Perry Mason. His role on NCIS was a sort of call back to the shows in the 60s. RIP David. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/7 "2023-09-25T22:54:44Z")
Oh, that is sad. A good man. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/8 "2023-09-25T22:54:44Z")
Wasn’t there one episode on _NCIS_ where one of the characters wonders what David looked like as a young man, and someone replied, “sort of like Ilya Kuryakin” ? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/9 "2023-09-25T22:59:00Z")
Coincidentally, CBS will run 3 episodes of classic NCIS tonight, Sept 25. Celebrating the 20th anniversary. They’ll probably acknowledge David in some way. Link [NCIS Day marathon on CBS to celebrate NCIS's 20th anniversary](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/ncis-day-marathon-cbs-celebrate-180013471.html) ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/10 "2023-09-25T23:03:13Z")
Yes, mark harmon’s character gave the answer, I believe it was Kate who asked the question… Found it. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/X-2eQ3m7AD8/hqdefault.jpg "NCIS Ducky when younger looked like Illya Kuryakin") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-2eQ3m7AD8) ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/11 "2023-09-25T23:04:51Z")
I was a little kid in the Man from U.N.C.L.E. days, but I had a wee crush on Ilya Kuryakin. My dad was a big fan of the show. NCIS didn’t catch my attention, but I did watch an episode or three some years after the show began running. I had no idea David McCallum was in it, but I recognized him instantly when I saw him in his Ducky character. He’d lost nothing of his original attractiveness. Uncanny. I’m glad he enjoyed good health until near the very end. R.I.P, Mr. McCallum. You seemed like a good 'un. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/12 "2023-09-25T23:14:14Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > On NCIS he looked just like an older Ilya Kuryakin. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is waaaay before my time, but my dad introduced the show to me, so when NCIS came out I already knew him as Ilya. And like you, I just saw Ilya. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/13 "2023-09-25T23:14:26Z")
Obviously not that great a surprise but still! A childhood hero from the 60s. I remember buying loads of chewing gum mainly to collect the Man From UNCLE cards in the packs… getting a couple of the books for Christmas one year… Always liked noticing him in a bit part in some older film. He’ll be missed. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/14 "2023-09-25T23:26:15Z")
I was just going to post that. It won’t play here, but there’s a note that says ‘Watch on YouTube’ when you try. So anyone can see it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/15 "2023-09-25T23:32:01Z")
So _The Great Escape_ tontine is down to John Leyton and William Russell. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/16 "2023-09-25T23:40:48Z")
> [@Meurglys](#): > > I remember buying loads of chewing gum mainly to collect the Man From UNCLE cards in the packs Here’s the ‘briefcase’ my wife bought me. [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/XOvibj4.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/xHjwqOd/) No, the car didn’t come with it. Sadly, I don’t have any of the missiles. (It would shoot from under the bonnet.) Maybe someone has one, and a 3D printer… ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/17 "2023-09-25T23:44:15Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > On NCIS he looked just like an older Ilya Kuryakin That was lampshaded once. But 90- he lived a long full life. I dont remember much Man from UNCLE, altho I watched it. Ilya Kuryakin was considered super cool. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/18 "2023-09-25T23:48:45Z")
Married for 56 years. That is a good haul. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2023, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/19 "2023-09-25T23:56:20Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I was a little kid in the Man from U.N.C.L.E. days, but I had a wee crush on Ilya Kuryakin. My dad was a big fan of the show. > > NCIS didn’t catch my attention, but I did watch an episode or three some years after the show began running. I had no idea David McCallum was in it, but I recognized him instantly when I saw him in his Ducky character. He’d lost nothing of his original attractiveness. Uncanny. > > I’m glad he enjoyed good health until near the very end. R.I.P, Mr. McCallum. You seemed like a good 'un. I should look for an episode of NCIS; I’ve never seen it. My sister was 8 and I was 6 when she explained the concept of having a crush to me, and the example of someone crush-worthy that she gave was Ilya Kuryakin. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2023, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691/20 "2023-09-26T00:01:56Z")
> [@gkster](#): > > I should look for an episode of NCIS; I’ve never seen it. You should! It amazed me how great David McCallum held up! > [@gkster](#): > > My sister was 8 and I was 6 when she explained the concept of having a crush to me, and the example of someone crush-worthy that she gave was Ilya Kuryakin. Your sister has good taste. 😉 The main pic on his Wiki page says it all, I think. > **[David McCallum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_McCallum)** > > David Keith McCallum (19 September 1933 – 25 September 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 Simon Carter in Colditz (1972–1974) and Steel in Sapphire & Steel (1979–1982). Beginning in 2003, McCallum gained renewed international popularity for his role as NCIS medical examiner Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in the Ameri David... The very definition of boyishly charming. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/david-mccallum-dies-age-90-ncis-and-man-from-uncle/990691.md?page=2)