Emotional Rollercoaster Alert: David McCallum’s Final Episode as ‘Ducky’ on NCIS – Get Ready to Shed Tears!

The world mourned the loss of David McCallum, the beloved star of “NCIS,” who passed away at the age of 90. Throughout his lifelong acting career, McCallum made significant contributions to television, notably in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s with roles such as 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 farewell when he left the show in 2021, McCallum did not have a comparable send-off on “NCIS.” In fact, his appearances as Ducky during the most recent season were sporadic, with his final performance occurring in the Season 20 finale, “Black Sky.”

While his role in the episode was minor, providing vital information to other characters, it’s noteworthy that Ducky’s presence on “NCIS” had already diminished in the years leading up to McCallum’s final appearance. During Season 20, McCallum appeared in only four episodes, consistent with the trend from the prior season. His last appearance in more than half of a season’s episodes happened during the 16th season, which aired from 2018 to 2019. McCallum expressed a sense of disconnect in a November 2022 interview, stating that appearing on “NCIS” felt like being in a different show.

“NCIS” executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson acknowledged McCallum’s reduced presence in recent seasons, mentioning the actor’s readiness to retire. While McCallum never officially left or retired from “NCIS,” the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes this year delayed the production of new episodes, preventing him from recording additional scenes for the show after the Season 20 finale.

Whether McCallum had plans to return or not remains unanswered. Still, fans can celebrate the significant number of episodes in which McCallum’s Ducky appeared over his 20-year tenure on the show.