David McCallum: Cause of Death, Age, Net Worth, Wife, Children, Parents And Siblings – David Keith McCallum Jr. was a British actor and musician born on 19th September, 1933 and died on September 25, 2023.
David McCallum Biography
He rose to fame as secret agent Illya Kuryakin in the TV series “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” in the 1960s. He also starred Carter in “Colditz” (1972-1974) and Steel in “Sapphire & Steel” (1979-1982) on television. In 2003, McCallum regained international acclaim for his role as NCIS medical examiner Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in the American television series NCIS. He made his film debut in “The Great Escape” (1963).
McCallum attended University College School in Hampstead, London, where he played the oboe. He began voicing boy roles for BBC Radio in 1946. He also took part in amateur theatre, as Oberon in an open-air production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” with the Play and Pageant Union. He dropped out of school at the age of 18 to serve in the British Army’s 3rd Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, which was seconded to the Royal West African Frontier Force. He was promoted to lieutenant in March 1954. He joined the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London after leaving the army, where Joan Collins was a classmate.
McCallum began his career as an assistant stage manager for the Glyndebourne Opera Company in 1951. He began his acting career in 1947 with boy roles for BBC Radio and modest parts in British films beginning in the late 1950s. His debut film role was in “Whom the Gods Love, Die Young,” where he played a doomed royal. The Rank Organisation signed him in 1956 after seeing his James Dean-inspired photograph. McCallum, on the other hand, stated in a 2010 interview that he had his Equity card since 1946.
He began his career as an outlaw in “Robbery Under Arms” (1957), a junior RMS Titanic radio operator Harold Bride in “A Night to Remember” (1958), and a juvenile criminal in “Violent Playground” (1958). His first part in an American film was in John Huston’s “Freud: The Secret Passion” (1962), followed by a role in Peter Ustinov’s “Billy Budd.” In “The Great Escape” (1963), McCallum played Lt. Cmdr. Eric Ashley-Pitt (“Dispersal”), and in “The Greatest Story Ever Told” (1965), he played Judas Iscariot. In addition, he appeared on “The Outer Limits” and as a guest on “Perry Mason” in 1964.
While “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” was intended to be a vehicle for Robert Vaughn, McCallum’s portrayal of Illya Kuryakin cemented his place in pop culture. Because of his fame, he received more fan mail than legendary MGM stars such as Clark Gable, Robert Taylor, and Elvis Presley. His character’s appeal stemmed from his cryptic and gloomy demeanour. During the show’s run from 1964 to 1968, McCallum received two Emmy Award nominations.
McCallum and Vaughn reprised their roles as Kuryakin and Solo in “Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.” in 1983. They reunited in 1986 for “The A-Team” episode “The Say U.N.C.L.E. Affair.”
In his career post-“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” McCallum appeared in British television shows like “Colditz” (1972–74), “Kidnapped” (1978), and “Sapphire & Steel” (1979–82). He played the title character in a short-lived U.S. version of “The Invisible Man” in 1975.
In Australia, McCallum performed in “Run for Your Wife” (1987-88). He appeared in several feature films as a supporting actor before starring as the title character in the 1968 thriller “Sol Madrid.”
In 1989, he co-starred with Diana Rigg in the television miniseries “Mother Love.” McCallum first featured on American television series in the early 1990s in shows such as “seaQuest DSV” and “Babylon 5.”
McCallum narrated the A&E Network documentary “Titanic: The Complete Story” in 1994. He also presented and narrated the television special “Ancient Prophecies” and following specials that explored people and locations historically linked with predicting the end of the world and the beginning of new periods for humanity.
McCallum starred as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in the CBS television series NCIS beginning in 2003, quickly becoming one of the show’s most popular characters. His passion to the role compelled him to learn about forensics, even visiting medical examiner conventions. He delivered a seminar on “Reel to Real Forensics” alongside US Army medical examiner Cmdr. Craig T. Mallak.
McCallum signed a two-year contract extension with CBS-TV in April 2012, extending his role on NCIS until his eightieth birthday. He kept renewing his contract for the following seasons. McCallum became the show’s final original cast member after Mark Harmon’s resignation in 2021.
McCallum has a musical career in addition to performing. He made four albums for Capitol Records in the 1960s with music producer David Axelrod, noted for singles such as “The Edge,” which was sampled by musicians such as Dr. Dre, John Legend, and others. Although he did not vocal on every track, his classically educated background enabled him to blend instruments and create unique renditions of current favourites. He also appeared in episodes of “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” and other shows as a musician.
McCallum recorded three H. P. Lovecraft stories for Caedmon Records in the 1970s. He published a crime novel titled “Once a Crooked Man” in 2016 and stated that he was working on a second novel.
David McCallum Jr.’s career lasted several decades, and he left a lasting legacy in both acting and music.
David McCallum Cause of Death
McCallum died peacefully on Monday (September 25) of natural causes in New York City, having celebrated his 90th birthday just one week ago.
David McCallum Obituary
His son Peter issued a statement on behalf of his family. It read: ‘He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father.
‘He always put family before self. He looked forward to any chance to connect with his grandchildren and had a unique bond with each of them.
‘He and his youngest grandson, Whit, nine, could often be found in the corner of a room at family parties having deep philosophical conversations.
‘He was a true renaissance man—he was fascinated by science and culture and would turn those passions into knowledge. For example, he was capable of conducting a symphony orchestra and (if needed) could actually perform an autopsy, based on his decades-long studies for his role on NCIS.
‘After returning from the hospital to their apartment, I asked my mother if she was ok before she went to sleep. Her answer was simply, “Yes. But I do wish we had had a chance to grow old together.”
‘She is 79, and dad just turned 90. The honesty in that emotion shows how vibrant their beautiful relationship and daily lives were, and that somehow, even at 90, daddy never grew old.’
NCIS executive producers Steven D. Binder and David North also paid tribute: ‘For over 20 years, David McCallum endeared himself to audiences around the world playing the wise, quirky, and sometimes enigmatic, Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard.
‘But as much as his fans may have loved him, those who worked side by side with David loved him that much more.’
They added sweetly: ‘He was a scholar and a gentleman, always gracious, a consummate professional, and never one to pass up a joke.
‘From day one, it was an honour to work with him and he never let us down. He was, quite simply, a legend. He was also family and will be deeply missed.’
It’s also been confirmed that the previously announced 20th anniversary NCIS marathon will include an ‘In memoriam’ card in tribute to McCallum.
David McCallum Age
He was 90 years old born on September 19, 1933 and passed away on 25th September 2023 in New York.
David McCallum Height And Weight
His height and weight are unknown as the time of his death.
David McCallum Wife
He married twice in his lifetime. David McCallum wives were Jill Ireland and Katherine Carpenter.
He married to Katherine Carpenter for over 5 decades, Katherine, a former actress and model turned interior designer, first met with David during a photo shoot for his show “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” They later tied the knot in New York on September 16, 1967.
His previous marriage with Jill Ireland, the first wife in 1957 also brought three children into the family named, Paul, Jason, and Valentine.
David McCallum Children
He died, leaving behind five children. Peter and Sophie were his children with Katherine, and Paul, Jason, and Valentine were his children from his previous marriage to Jill Ireland.
David McCallum Parents
His parents were Dorothy Dorman, a cellist and orchestral leader David McCallum, Sr.
David McCallum Siblings
He had only one sibling named: Iain McCullum.
David McCallum Net Worth
As a successful actor and Musician, David McCallum Net Worth was estimated to be around $15 million as the time of his death.
