“Heartfelt Farewell: David McCallum’s Final Scene Revealed After His Passing – Did NCIS Executives Get Their Wish for Ducky’s Return?”

David McCallum, the show’s last original cast member, passed away from natural causes at the age of 90. McCallum was known for his role as Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard on NCIS, appearing in over 500 episodes, though his role shifted from a series regular to occasional cameos over the years.

His final memorable appearance on the show was in the season 20 finale titled “Black Sky” in May. In this episode, McCallum’s character, Dr. Ducky, played a pivotal role via video link from the NCIS offices. He uncovered the true plot of the terrorist group, assisting Wilmer Valderrama’s Agent Torres character in obtaining information about a planned “Black Sky event,” which would involve a total shutdown of the country’s electrical infrastructure and lead to societal breakdown.

Although fans speculated that this might be McCallum’s farewell scene, the actor had not officially confirmed his departure from the series. In fact, just days before his passing, NCIS executives hinted that he might return. Executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson noted that while McCallum’s role on the show had diminished due to his age, he could potentially return for a few episodes.

Despite making only a couple of appearances in the 20th season, McCallum’s name continued to be featured in the opening titles of every episode. His contributions to the show were highly appreciated, and his legacy on NCIS remains significant.