The world mourned the loss of “NCIS” star David McCallum, who passed away at the age of 90. McCallum, a lifelong actor, left an indelible mark on television with notable roles in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, including Illya Kuryakin on “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” Simon Carter on “Colditz,” and Steel on “Sapphire & Steel.” However, it was his portrayal of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the long-running CBS procedural series “NCIS” that solidified his status as one of the most prolific TV actors of his generation.
Unlike his co-star Mark Harmon, who received a grand send-off in 2021, McCallum did not get a comparable farewell on “NCIS.” His appearances as Ducky were sporadic during the most recent season, with his final performance in the Season 20 finale, “Black Sky.”
Although his role in the episode was minor, McCallum’s Ducky provided crucial information to characters played by Alden Parker (Gary Cole) and Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) about their latest target. Despite the lack of a grand send-off, it’s noteworthy that Ducky’s presence on “NCIS” had already diminished in the years leading up to McCallum’s final appearance.
During “NCIS” Season 20, David McCallum’s Ducky Mallard appeared in only four episodes, consistent with the trend from the prior season. In fact, his last appearance in more than half of a season’s episodes occurred during the 16th season of “NCIS” (2018-2019). After that season, the actor’s appearances became less frequent each year.
In a November 2022 interview with Radio Times, McCallum revealed feeling a sense of disconnect when appearing on “NCIS” after many of his co-stars had left the show. “When I go there, it’s like being in a different show,” the actor confessed. “It doesn’t quite make sense anymore.” In a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter, “NCIS” executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson acknowledged McCallum’s reduced presence in recent seasons, stating, “David McCallum doesn’t do that much in the series anymore. He could return for four or five episodes. It’s become far too difficult for him, and I believe he’s ready to retire.”
While McCallum never officially left or retired before his passing, the delays caused by this year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes prevented him from recording additional scenes for “NCIS” after his appearance in the Season 20 finale. Whether he had plans to return remains unanswered, but fans can celebrate the substantial number of episodes in which McCallum’s Ducky appeared during his 20-year tenure on the show.