While viewers of NCIS grieve the departure of a beloved actor, a famous face has broken his silence to say farewell.
Natural causes took the life of David McCallum, who played Donald “Ducky” Mallard, on September 25. McCallum was 90 years old. Many of his coworkers, including Wilmer Valderrama, took to social media shortly after his death announcement to honor his memory.
Actor Mark Harmon, who is well known for his portrayal of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, also paid tribute to his late friend with a personal remark.
“David lived a great, full, long life,” Mark said in a statement he gave to TVLine in eulogy for David. All of us on the program were privileged to have walked the carpet with him, and my jaw dropped the moment we met. Katherine, [David’s] wife, and his family, you have my deepest sympathies.
Fans of the show may recall that Mark and David have been cast members of NCIS since the pilot episode aired in September 2003. The former actor quit the show four episodes into season 19, but the latter portrayed Ducky all the way through the series’ epic season 20 finale, which he did so remotely. On top of that, David was the last of the original cast members to remain with the program.
The official social team of NCIS released a message on Instagram regarding David’s loss, and his former co-stars are sharing personal tales about their time working with the actor from The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
“We are profoundly saddened by the passing of David McCallum and privileged that CBS was his home for so many years,” read the comment that accompanied a portrait of the Emmy Award nominee on September 25. Many people all over the globe adored David, who was a talented actor and writer. Because of his amazing life and the many hours he spent on cinema and television, his legacy will endure indefinitely.
“We will miss his warmth and endearing sense of humor that lit up any room or soundstage he stepped onto, as well as the brilliant stories he often shared from a life well-lived,” according to the article. “Our hearts go out to his wife Katherine and his entire family, and all those who knew and loved David.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with David’s loved ones at this time.
