NCIS to Share Tribute to Late Actor David McCallum

Published: December 26, 2023

NCIS to Share Tribute to Late Actor David McCallum

By Movieguide® Contributor

In a very special tribute, NCIS will dedicate the second episode of the new season to late co-star David McCallum.

McCallum died on September 25th at the age of 90.

TV Line reported “Episode two of the upcoming season will address McCallum’s passing, as well as service a tribute to his beloved character. And in a very fitting twist, long-time cast member Brian Dietzen who played Ducky’s protégé, Dr. Jimmy Palmer, since season one, is a co-writer on the episode.”

NCIS co-showrunners/executive producers Steven D. Binder and David North said, “Everyone at NCIS felt it was important to do an episode that honors such a legendary actor, not to mention a dear friend,” according to TVLine.

McCallum played the NCIS character “Ducky” for all 20 seasons of the show.

Independent shared, “McCallum was the last remaining original cast member of the long-running CBS procedural crime drama, joining the cast in 2003. After having devoted himself to the study of forensics for the role, producer Donald P Bellisario said in 2006 that McCallum’s knowledge had become so vast that he was considering making him a technical adviser on the show.”

Following McCallum’s death, the NCIS Instagram account shared a post in honor of the actor.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of David McCallum and privileged that CBS was his home for so many years,” the post read with a photo of McCallum smiling.

“David was a gifted actor and author, and beloved by many around the world. He led an incredible life, and his legacy will forever live on through his family and the countless hours on film and television that will never go away. 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. Our hearts go out to his wife Katherine and his entire family, and all those who knew and loved David.”