As NCIS celebrated its 20th anniversary, The Hollywood Reporter delved into the casting discussions that shaped the iconic series and revealed that David McCallum wasn’t initially the top choice to portray Ducky.
David McCallum, who portrayed Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, became a beloved member of the NCIS team over his 20-year tenure on the show. However, it was disclosed that not everyone believed he was the ideal actor for the role during the casting process.
Former CBS Casting Director Peter Golden shared insights into the casting process, stating, “Pauley Perrette, David McCallum, Michael Weatherly, they all came in and read, and when they read, it was undeniable.” He also noted the strong performance of Rocky Carroll, who joined the show in season five as Leon Vance.
It was revealed that when David McCallum was selected to play Ducky, the studio initially had reservations about casting an older character actor in the role. Director James Whitmore Jr. recounted the studio’s skepticism: “No way, we’re not casting this old character actor in the part.” But series creator Don Bellisario was resolute in his choice and insisted, “We’re not doing the show if you don’t.” The studio eventually embraced the decision, and McCallum’s portrayal of Ducky became iconic.
Golden suggested that part of the skepticism might have stemmed from McCallum’s British background, with concerns about his ability to authentically depict an American character. He explained, “The feeling was, ‘Can you do that?’ This was a really American spectacle.”
Fans of the series were devastated by the news of David McCallum’s passing at the age of 90, which came six days after his 90th birthday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. His character Ducky retired as the principal medical examiner in season 15 but later returned as the part-time historian of the team. McCallum’s portrayal of Ducky endeared him to viewers, and his contributions to the show were deeply appreciated.
Following his passing, several NCIS stars paid tribute to David McCallum on social media, remembering his remarkable talent and the impact he made on and off-screen.