(Los Angeles) British actor David McCallum, who played the role of medical examiner “Ducky” for 20 seasons in NCISdied at the age of 90, several American media reported Monday.
The one who first became known to the general public in the 1960s by playing the charming Illya Kouriakine in the series The Man from UNCLEdied Monday surrounded by his family in a New York hospital, CBS said.
“He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father,” his son Peter said, according to the channel.
“He was fascinated by science and culture and transformed those passions into knowledge,” he added, adding that his father would have even been able to perform an autopsy “based on his decades-long research for his role in NCIS.
PHOTO RICHARD DREW, ASSOCIATED PRESS
David McCallum in 1975
A student at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, David McCallum made one of his first film appearances in 1963 in The Great Escapealongside Steve McQueen in particular.
But it was when he was chosen the following year to play the enigmatic Soviet secret agent Illya Kouriakin in The Man from UNCLE that his career is experiencing real growth.
With lush blonde hair and turtlenecks, David McCallum represented a certain icon of charm.
Series The Man from UNCLE only lasted four years, but his character followed him for life.
“It’s been more than 30 years, but I can’t escape,” he told New York Times in 1998.
From 2003, he began his role as Dr Donald “Ducky” Mallard, forensic pathologist for the US Naval Criminal Investigation Service, NCIS, in the series of the same name. A real hit, it will be followed by millions of spectators in the United States and around the world, continuing through its 20 seasons to be broadcast on American television.
With his characteristic bow ties, he would appear in all but one episode of the first 15 seasons, before making more sporadic appearances from season 16 onwards.