David McCallum, best known to modern audiences as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS, died at age 90 on 25 September 2023, leaving a legacy spanning six decades from Glasgow to Hollywood. This article traces his journey and the questions his departure left unanswered.
Born: 19 September 1933, Glasgow, Scotland ·
Died: 25 September 2023, New York City ·
Age at death: 90 ·
Famous roles: Illya Kuryakin (U.N.C.L.E.), Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (NCIS) ·
Children: 4 (Peter, Paul, Jason, Sophie) ·
Spouses: Jill Ireland (1957–1967), Katherine Carpenter (1967–2023)
Quick snapshot
- Died on 25 September 2023 at age 90 (The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment news))
- Cause of death: natural causes (PBS NewsHour / AP (US public broadcaster))
- Played Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Ducky on NCIS (BBC News (UK public broadcaster))
- Exact medical cause of death not publicly specified
- Specific reason Mark Harmon did not attend funeral remains unconfirmed
- Details of alleged feud between Michael Weatherly and Mark Harmon are based on rumors
- Born 19 Sep 1933 → Married Jill Ireland (1957) → Cast in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964) → Divorced (1967) → Married Katherine Carpenter (1967) → Joined NCIS (2003) → Died 25 Sep 2023
- NCIS tribute episode “The Stories We Leave Behind” reportedly planned for season 21 (IMDb News (movie database))
Six key facts capture one pattern: McCallum’s life spanned two iconic TV eras — Cold War espionage and forensic crime drama.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 September 1933, Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 25 September 2023, New York City, US |
| Spouses | Jill Ireland (1957–1967), Katherine Carpenter (1967–2023) |
| Children | Peter, Paul, Jason (with Jill Ireland); Sophie (with Katherine Carpenter) |
| Notable roles | Illya Kuryakin (The Man from U.N.C.L.E.), Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (NCIS) |
| Cause of death | Natural causes (family statement via CBS) |
What did David McCallum pass away from?
How old was David McCallum at death?
David McCallum was 90 years old when he died on 25 September 2023. The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment news) reported the date and age, confirming he passed at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
What was his cause of death?
His family issued a statement through CBS citing natural causes. PBS NewsHour / AP (US public broadcaster) reported that he died surrounded by family, without specifying a medical condition. The exact cause remains private, in keeping with the family’s request for discretion.
The decision to keep details private underscores a pattern: McCallum’s family prioritized dignity and personal space, a value his son Peter later echoed in public statements about his father’s humility.
The implication: Fans accept the simple label “natural causes” as a respectful closure, while the lack of specificity leaves room for speculation — but none has been substantiated.
Did David McCallum have children with Jill Ireland?
How many children did David McCallum have overall?
McCallum had three sons with his first wife Jill Ireland: Peter, Paul, and Jason. PBS NewsHour / AP (US public broadcaster) confirms these three from his first marriage. With his second wife Katherine Carpenter, he had a son, Valentine, and a daughter, Sophie — making five children total, though the content plan notes Sophie as the only daughter and Peter, Paul, Jason as primary names. People (celebrity news) listed his survivors as his wife Katherine, five children, and eight grandchildren.
The pattern: McCallum built a large blended family, and his son Peter’s tribute — calling him “the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father” (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)) — reflected a close-knit household away from the cameras.
Why did Jill Ireland leave David McCallum?
Is Jill Ireland still alive?
Jill Ireland divorced David McCallum in 1967 after a decade of marriage. She later married Charles Bronson and became a successful actress in her own right. Jill Ireland died on 18 May 1990 from breast cancer, as widely documented. She is not alive.
McCallum’s divorce from Ireland came just as his career peaked with The Man from U.N.C.L.E. — a classic tension between personal upheaval and professional stardom that shaped both their lives.
The catch: The divorce itself was private, and neither party publicly detailed reasons, but the timing — 1967, the year he remarried — hints at a swift transition to a new chapter.
Why was Ducky taken off NCIS?
How did NCIS write off Ducky?
After McCallum’s death, the NCIS writers chose not to recast or continue Ducky in the show. Instead, the character was given an off-screen death in the 21st season, and a dedicated tribute episode titled “The Stories We Leave Behind” was reportedly produced. IMDb News (movie database) reported that the episode was slated as the second of the season. CBS had earlier aired an in memoriam segment during a 20th-anniversary marathon, as Deadline (entertainment news) confirmed.
Did the show address David McCallum’s real death?
The tribute episode directly honored both the actor and his character. The storyline acknowledged Ducky’s passing within the series universe, giving fans a narrative farewell. According to Deadline (entertainment news), Mark Harmon and other co-stars shared personal memories, blending real-life grief with on-screen closure.
The implication: By writing Ducky out with a tribute rather than a silent disappearance, NCIS preserved the character’s dignity and gave McCallum a send-off worthy of two decades of service.
What did Mark Harmon say about David McCallum?
Why didn’t Mark Harmon go to David McCallum’s funeral?
Mark Harmon praised McCallum as “a gentleman and a dear friend” in a public statement (Deadline (entertainment news)). Harmon also told Deadline that he was “in awe” of McCallum when they first met. However, Harmon did not attend the funeral. The reason remains unconfirmed; speculation points to privacy preferences and scheduling conflicts. Neither Harmon’s camp nor the McCallum family has commented on the absence.
Why didn’t Michael Weatherly and Mark Harmon get along?
Rumors of tension between Michael Weatherly and Mark Harmon have circulated for years, fueled by Weatherly’s departure from NCIS in 2016. Both actors have spoken respectfully of each other in public, and no direct confirmation of a feud exists. The question remains in the “unclear” column — based on hearsay, not on the record.
The pattern: Off-screen dynamics at NCIS were always more private than the show’s chemistry suggested, and Harmon’s absence from the funeral — while notable — is consistent with a desire to grieve quietly.
Confirmed facts
- David McCallum died on 25 September 2023 (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Cause of death listed as natural causes (PBS NewsHour / AP)
- He had three sons with Jill Ireland (PBS NewsHour / AP)
- Jill Ireland died in 1990 (PBS NewsHour / AP)
- Mark Harmon released a tribute statement (Deadline)
What’s unclear
- Exact medical cause of death not publicly specified
- Specific reason Mark Harmon did not attend the funeral remains unconfirmed
- Details of the alleged feud between Michael Weatherly and Mark Harmon are based on rumors
Timeline
Key milestones in David McCallum’s life and career follow below.
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 19 September 1933 | David Keith McCallum born in Glasgow, Scotland |
| 1957 | Married actress Jill Ireland |
| 1964 | Cast as Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. |
| 1967 | Divorced Jill Ireland; married Katherine Carpenter |
| 2003 | Began playing Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS |
| 25 September 2023 | Died at home in New York City, aged 90 |
“David was a gentleman and a dear friend. He will be missed.”
— Mark Harmon, via CBS statement (Deadline (entertainment news))
“He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father.”
— Peter McCallum, family statement (BBC News (UK public broadcaster))
For NCIS fans, the loss of Ducky — and the man who played him for two decades — is a reminder that even the longest-running characters eventually take their final bow. The choice to honor him on screen is clear: watch the tribute episode “The Stories We Leave Behind”, or risk missing the closure that McCallum himself would have wanted.
housebeautiful.com, en.wikipedia.org, tvline.com, yahoo.com, yahoo.com
Frequently asked questions
Where did David McCallum die?
He died at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, surrounded by family (PBS NewsHour / AP).
Who survived David McCallum?
He was survived by his wife Katherine Carpenter, five children (Peter, Paul, Jason, Valentine, Sophie), and eight grandchildren (People).
Where was David McCallum born?
He was born in Glasgow, Scotland on 19 September 1933 (BBC News).
What was David McCallum’s first major TV role?
He achieved international fame as Illya Kuryakin in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964–1968) (PBS NewsHour / AP).
How many grandchildren did David McCallum have?
He had eight grandchildren, named Julia, Luca, Iain, Stella, Gavin, George, Alessandro, and Whit (Deadline).
Did David McCallum have a daughter?
Yes, he had a daughter, Sophie, with his second wife Katherine Carpenter (PBS NewsHour / AP).
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Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Briefly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.