Although he mainly distinguished himself on television, David McCallum also played in the cinema, notably in “The Great Escape” in 1963. He was finally a musician, and one of his sampled pieces became a rap classic.
New generations knew him especially for the role of “Ducky”, the forensic doctor in the series. NCIS in which he played for twenty seasons. But his face and his blondness left their mark on pop culture in the 1960s. British actor David McCallum died on Monday September 25, a few days after his 90th birthday, surrounded by his family in a New York hospital, said the CBS channel.
“He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father”said his son Peter, according to the channel. “He was fascinated by science and culture and transformed these passions into knowledge,” he added, specifying that his father would even have been capable of carrying out an autopsy “based on his decades-long research for his role on NCIS.”
The role of Russian agent Illya Kouriakin made him famous
David McCallum was born on September 19, 1933 in Glasgow, Scotland. A student at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, he made one of his first film appearances in 1963 in The great Escape, alongside Steve McQueen in particular. But it was when he was chosen the following year to play the enigmatic Soviet secret agent Illya Kouriakin in Very Special Agents (original title : The Man from UNCLE) that his career is experiencing real growth.
With his beautiful blond hair and turtlenecks, David McCallum embodied a certain icon of charm. If the series Very Special Agents only lasted four years, his character followed him for life. “It’s been more than 30 years but I can’t escape,” he declared to New York Times in 1998. Meanwhile, in 1975, he played the scientist Daniel Westin, struck by permanent invisibility in The invisible Man. and forced to wear a mask and rubber gloves, as well as a wig, to appear in the eyes of the world…
Beginning in 2003, McCallum made his debut as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, a forensic pathologist for the United States 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 signature bow ties, McCallum would appear in all but one episode of the first 15 seasons, before making more sporadic appearances beginning in season 16.
Musician, he will be sampled by Dr. Dre
Son of a violinist and a cellist, David McCallum had studied the oboe and sang since childhood. He worked for a time as assistant director at Glyndebourne Opera. In the 1960s he recorded four instrumental albums with renowned producer David Axelrod. His most famous song is The Edge. Sampled much later by the rapper Dr. Dre, with the participation of Snoop Dogg, this song became known a second life with The Next Episode (2000) .
David McCallum will also play the song in an episode of Very Special Agentswith the help of Nancy Sinatra.
David McCallum was married for ten years to actress Jill Ireland with whom he had three children. Then the two actors each restarted their lives, Jill Ireland marrying Charles Bronson in her second marriage.