# How old is 'Ducky' Mallard on NCIS? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 8, 2014, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728 "2014-10-08T03:40:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [October 8, 2014, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/1 "2014-10-08T03:40:42Z")
From IMDb [bolding mine]: > [@](#): > > Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard was born in Scotland. We do not know his exact age, but a reference was made to his living in Great Britain during World War II - which makes him somewhere between 72 (if born in 1939, the first year of World War II) and 78 years old (if born in 1933, the same year as actor McCallum) **as of 2011**. His nickname, “Ducky,” according to him, is “unfortunate” and he got it “during the [London] Blitz.” In tonight’s episode, ‘So It Goes’, Ducky is seen in flashback just before he joins the Army Medical Corps. _Time Of The Season_ is playing at a party, so it’s probably 1968. If Ducky was born in 1933, then that would make him 35 years old – too old, I think, for someone who apparently is not long out of medical school. However being born in 1933 would make him a good age (7, in 1940) to pick up an ‘unfortunate’ nickname during the Blitz. Still, his appearance in the flashback indicates he’s younger. Perhaps the song is an anachronism. It put the time frame around 1964 or 1965. If Ducky got his nickname from his family instead of his playmates, perhaps he was as young as three during the Blitz. If the party scene was 1964 (which, although I put the time frame there, nevertheless seems early) and he was born in 1937, that would put him at 27 at the youngest in the flashback. Since he’s an actual doctor, that seems reasonable. So… 77 in 2014? ETA: Mistake in the title. Should be ‘Ducky’. If a mod (heh) sees this, please change. Thank you. . ---
**Author:** ![kbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kbear)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/2 "2014-10-08T07:57:19Z")
The Eurorail Ticket he bought had 1968 as the purchase date. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2014, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/3 "2014-10-08T11:21:10Z")
the sign at the party said “donnie”. i don’t think that is much better than ducky. in fact i’d rather be ducky. i thought ducky was a play off of his last name. they did a good job with young doctor mallard, good episode. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/4 "2014-10-08T12:28:11Z")
He was older than I thought during Man From U.N.C.L.E. I didn’t see the episode but from the commercial they did a great job finding his younger self. David McCallum looks amazing for someone who is 81 years old. ---
**Author:** ![toast\_pakora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ec8ea/32.png) [@toast\_pakora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toast_pakora)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/5 "2014-10-08T12:57:08Z")
Maybe the writers confused the Blitz with the V-2 rocket attacks in 1944. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/6 "2014-10-08T13:09:07Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > David McCallum looks amazing for someone who is 81 years old. It’s quite incredible that both [Sapphire and Steel](http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/11/25/1290704368928/sapphire-and-steel-box-se-007.jpg) are [still around](http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/wennpic/joanna-lumley-national-television-awards-2013-press-room-02.jpg) and still performing. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/7 "2014-10-08T14:52:00Z")
I figure the quip about his name coming from the Blitz is him deflecting the simple truth that Donald “Duck” is a natural nickname, even more so if one’s last name is something as unfortunate as “Mallard”. If his parents were American, I would say what they did to him is unforgivable, nearly as much as if your last name is “Head” and you named your son Richard (NEVER call him Dick!). ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/8 "2014-10-08T15:59:11Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > It’s quite incredible that both [Sapphire and Steel](http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/11/25/1290704368928/sapphire-and-steel-box-se-007.jpg) are [still around](http://www.aceshowbiz.com/images/wennpic/joanna-lumley-national-television-awards-2013-press-room-02.jpg) and still performing. She’s real Purdey, that one. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/9 "2014-10-08T16:44:44Z")
One time, Ducky was asked what he looked like as a young man - he answered “Ilya Kuryakin”. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/10 "2014-10-08T16:48:43Z")
Elvis: Gibbs was asked the question, gave that response. IIRC ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/11 "2014-10-08T17:12:53Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > One time, Ducky was asked what he looked like as a young man - he answered “Ilya Kuryakin”. Nitpick: It was Gibbs (speaking to Kate) who said that he looked like Ilya Kuryakin, in a scene that made clear that If Ducky has not fucked his younger female coworkers, it’s simply because he doesn’t want to. Season 1 Abby would have done him in a heartbeat. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/12 "2014-10-08T17:58:13Z")
[Yeah, baby.](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zgrY5bxEIb0/UjtotQ4OZhI/AAAAAAABRHs/2rZGmdOa7rs/s1600/File0868.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/13 "2014-10-08T18:39:35Z")
I remember how Ilya Kuryakin emerged as the “real” star of _ **The Man from UNCLE** _ once the show got under way. Among my generation, David MacCallum was the epitome of “cool,” right up there with Steve McQueen and Sean Connery. I suspect Robert Vaughn was somewhat less than pleased with this turn of events. The same thing happened with Leonard Nimoy/Spock and _ **Star Trek** _, and I know Bill Shatner was _not_ thrilled! ---
**Author:** ![Tapiotar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@Tapiotar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapiotar)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/14 "2014-10-08T19:13:03Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I remember how Ilya Kuryakin emerged as the “real” star of _ **The Man from UNCLE** _ once the show got under way. Among my generation, David MacCallum was the epitome of “cool,” right up there with Steve McQueen and Sean Connery. I suspect Robert Vaughn was somewhat less than pleased with this turn of events. > > The same thing happened with Leonard Nimoy/Spock and _ **Star Trek** _, and I know Bill Shatner was _not_ thrilled! Oh, I was so in love with Ilya Kuryakin. Napoleon Solo just seemed creepy. David MacCallum has still got it, even at 81. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/15 "2014-10-08T21:15:25Z")
> [@Tapiotar](#): > > Oh, I was so in love with Ilya Kuryakin. Napoleon Solo just seemed creepy. David MacCallum has still got it, even at 81. Have you ever seen _ **A Night to Remember** _? David plays Harold Bride, who was 21 in 1912. He looks like a teenager himself! (The movie is dated 1958, so he would have been ~24 at the time.) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2014, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/16 "2014-10-08T23:31:11Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I remember how Ilya Kuryakin emerged as the “real” star of _ **The Man from UNCLE** _ once the show got under way. Among my generation, David MacCallum was the epitome of “cool,” right up there with Steve McQueen and Sean Connery. I suspect Robert Vaughn was somewhat less than pleased with this turn of events. > > The same thing happened with Leonard Nimoy/Spock and _ **Star Trek** _, and I know Bill Shatner was _not_ thrilled! > [@Tapiotar](#): > > Oh, I was so in love with Ilya Kuryakin. Napoleon Solo just seemed creepy. David MacCallum has still got it, even at 81. “Yeah, baby,” on both counts. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2014, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/17 "2014-10-08T23:51:57Z")
on rewatch, there is a bit of a “man from uncle” vibe with young ducky and angus. esp. with the scene where they fought over margaret. the young angus looks a bit like napoleon solo, hair style mostly. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/18 "2014-10-09T01:06:41Z")
[Alice Krige](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000481/?ref_=nv_sr_1), who played the present-day Maggie in last night’s episode “So It Goes,” looks like the victim of a very bad face lift/nose job combo. Her face resembles the late and late-in-life Michael Jackson. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2014, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/19 "2014-10-09T02:22:58Z")
> [@kbear](#): > > The Eurorail Ticket he bought had 1968 as the purchase date. I missed that, as I was wondering if they had Eurail passes in the '60s. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2014, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728/20 "2014-10-09T10:57:08Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > From IMDb [bolding mine]: > > In tonight’s episode, ‘So It Goes’, Ducky is seen in flashback just before he joins the Army Medical Corps. _Time Of The Season_ is playing at a party, so it’s probably 1968. If Ducky was born in 1933, then that would make him 35 years old – too old, I think, for someone who apparently is not long out of medical school. Why is 35 too old? If the average age of a med school grad is 27, there have to be a fair number who are older than that. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-old-is-ducky-mallard-on-ncis/700728.md?page=2)