NCIS Pays Touching Tribute to Late David McCallum in CBS Marathon – Emotional Moments Unveiled!

Monday’s NCIS marathon paid a poignant tribute to the late cast member David McCallum, who passed away earlier that day at the age of 90.

At the end of CBS’ re-airing of the NCIS series premiere in honor of the show’s 20th anniversary, a photo of McCallum was displayed along with the text: “In Memoriam: David McCallum, 1933-2023.” McCallum portrayed chief medical examiner Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the CBS procedural for all 20 seasons, making his final remote appearances in the last two episodes of Season 20 last spring. He was the show’s last remaining original cast member, following the exit of series lead Mark Harmon early in Season 19.

“For over 20 years, David McCallum endeared himself to audiences around the world playing the wise, quirky, and sometimes enigmatic, Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard,” said NCIS‘ current exec producers, Seven D. Binder and David North, in a statement. “But as much as his fans may have loved him, those who worked side by side with David loved him that much more. He was a scholar and a gentleman, always gracious, a consummate professional, and never one to pass up a joke. From day one, it was an honor to work with him and he never let us down. He was, quite simply, a legend. He was also family and will be deeply missed.”