Emotional Rollercoaster Alert: David McCallum Bids Farewell as ‘Ducky’ in NCIS – Get Ready to Sob!
The world mourned the loss of David McCallum, the beloved actor best known for his portrayal of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the long-running CBS series “NCIS,” who passed away at the age of 90. While McCallum made significant contributions to television through various roles in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, it was his role as Ducky that solidified him as one of the most prolific TV actors of his generation.
Unfortunately, McCallum did not receive a farewell on “NCIS” similar to co-star Mark Harmon’s send-off in 2021. His appearances as Ducky in the Season 20 finale, “Black Sky,” turned out to be his final performance, providing Alden Parker (Gary Cole) and Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) with vital information about their target.
Despite the lack of a grand farewell, it’s essential to note that Ducky’s presence on “NCIS” had gradually diminished in the years leading up to McCallum’s final appearance. During Season 20, he appeared in only four episodes, consistent with the trend from the prior season. McCallum’s last significant presence occurred during the 16th season, which aired from 2018 to 2019, after which his appearances became less frequent each year.
In a November 2022 interview with Radio Times, McCallum expressed a sense of disconnect when appearing on “NCIS” after many of his co-stars had left the show. The actor confessed, “When I go there, it’s like being in a different show. It doesn’t quite make sense anymore.” Executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson acknowledged McCallum’s reduced presence in recent seasons, stating that it had become too difficult for him, and he seemed ready to retire.
While McCallum never officially left or retired from “NCIS,” the strikes in 2023 delayed the production of new episodes, preventing him from recording additional scenes after the Season 20 finale. Whether he had plans to return remains unanswered, but fans can celebrate the substantial contributions of McCallum’s Ducky over his 20-year tenure on the show.
