David Keith McCallum, born on 19 September 1933, was a Scottish actor and musician who passed away on 25 September 2023. He rose to fame in the 1960s, playing secret agent Illya Kuryakin in “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” His other notable TV roles included Simon Carter in “Colditz” (1972–1974) and Steel in “Sapphire & Steel” (1979–1982). From 2003, McCallum gained international popularity again as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, the NCIS medical examiner in “NCIS.” He portrayed this role for 20 seasons until his death. In cinema, McCallum notably starred in “The Great Escape” (1963).
David McCallum Bio/Wiki
| Real Name/Full Name | David Keith McCallum jr. |
| Nick Name/Celebrated Name: | David McCallum |
| Birth Place: | Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Date Of Birth/Birthday: | 19 September 1933 |
| Age/How Old: | 90 years old (Died) |
| Height/How Tall: | In Centimetres – 170 cm In Feet and Inches – 5′ 9″ |
| Weight: | In Kilograms – 80 Kg In Pounds – 176 lbs |
| Eye Color: | Brown |
| Hair Color: | Brown |
| Parents Name: | Father – David McCallum sr. Mother – Dorothy Dorman |
| Siblings: | Iian McCallum |
| School: | N/A |
| College: | University college school, Hampstead |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Nationality: | Scottish, British |
| Zodiac Sign: | Virgo |
| Gender: | Male |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Girlfriend: | N/A |
| Wife/Spouse Name: | Katherine Carpenter (m. 1967), Jill Ireland (m. 1957–1967) |
| Kids/Children Name: | Paul, Jayson, valentine, Peter, Sophie |
| Profession: | Professional actor and musician |
| Net Worth: | $12 million |
David McCallum Age
David McCallum, born on 19th September 1933, passed away on 25th September 2023 at the age of 90. Previously, he was noted for his active career well into his late eighties, a remarkable feat considering most people his age are usually retired.
Early Life
David McCallum, born in Maryhill, Glasgow, grew up in a musical family. His father, David McCallum Sr., was an orchestral violinist, and his mother, Dorothy, a cellist. When he was three, the family moved to London for his father’s role as leader of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. However, the onset of World War II prompted a return to Scotland for safety, where he lived with his mother in Gartocharn.
Career
David McCallum began his career as the assistant stage manager for the Glyndebourne Opera Company in 1951 at eighteen. He then ventured into British films in the late 1950s, debuting as a doomed royal in “Whom the Gods Love, Die Young.” The Rank Organisation signed him in 1956, influenced by a James Dean-themed photograph. McCallum himself revealed in a 2010 interview with Alan Titchmarsh that he had his Equity card since 1946.
His early career featured a variety of roles, from a juvenile delinquent in “Violent Playground” (1957) to an outlaw in “Robbery Under Arms” (1957), and a junior officer in “RMS Titanic.” He also played radio operator Harold Bride in “A Night to Remember” (1958). McCallum made his American film debut in 1962 with “Freud: The Secret Passion,” directed by John Huston. Subsequently, he appeared in Peter Ustinov’s “Billy Budd.” In 1963, he played Lt Cdr Eric Ashley-Pitt in “The Great Escape,” which later became a classic.
David McCallum : The Man From U.N.C.L.E
The man from U.N.C.L.E is the most defining work in the entire career of David McCallum. So, he played the role of Illya Kuryakin who was a mysterious Russian agent. It was originally a peripheral role. However, David McCallum acted out its complex layers so well that he became immensely popular. Moreover, with his Beatle-styled blonde haircut, he became a sex symbol. Despite the Cold War being at its greatest height, it became quite a pop-culture phenomenon. So, he had a frenzy of fan following and letters- almost like the Beatles. However, he never got that taste of success again after Kuryakin. So, he did a number of other roles but never became that popular. However, that was until NCIS which again made him a very popular and regular face in British television.
David McCallum: NCIS
So, David McCallum started the second innings of his career in 2003. Therefore, he joined NCIS which was a CBS TV series as Dr. Donald Ducky Mallard. So now, he was the chief medical examiner of the team. However, David McCallum did his job so well that the character became one of the most popular ones in the show. There is a very interesting Easter egg as well, for those who would know. In the 13th episode of the second season named “The Meat Puzzle”, NCIS Special Agent Caitlin Todd asks a very interesting question to Special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. So, the question is what Ducky did during his early years and the reply was “Illya Kuryakin”!
According to the backstory of NCIS season 1 that came on a DVD David McCallum took his role very seriously. So, he regularly attended medical examiner conventions and became quite an expert in forensics. As a result, he became extremely enriched with this knowledge. So, during the interview, he even thought of being a technical advisor to the show rather than just being an actor. Moreover, in 2005, David McCallum attended the 21st Annual James Earl Ash Lecture, at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. So, it was primarily an evening to honor the servicemembers of America. Now, he presented a lecture here along with U.S. Armed Forces medical examiner Cmdr. Craig T. Mallak. Therefore, he titled it “ Reel to Real Forensics. So, in this, he compared the real-life work of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner staff with that of the fictional naval investigators that NCIS shows.
However, in 2012, he signed a two-year extension deal with CBS-TV. Moreover, he signed another similar one in 2014. So, he has had extensions since then.
David McCallum: TV Series
So, David McCallum had an extremely illustrious career in TV series and shows. His journey had begun in 1959. So, he was only around 26 then. However, he has stayed very loyal to the medium throughout his active years. As a result, his last work was in 2019. So, he was in his late eighties then and still relentless to work. So, his first stint at a TV show in 1959 was Anouilh’s Antigone. He had played the role of Haemon here. However, this bit of information is vague because we do not find solid information regarding the show or its role. On the other hand, his last one was as a narrator in a PBS documentary. So, this was D-Day at Pointe-du-Hoc in 2019.
He has played in a number of TV series- more than 65 in number. Moreover, he has also played in some forty films with some timeless classics. However, nothing can surpass his popularity in Man from U.N.C.L.E or NCIS. Other than this, he has played in quite a few series like Hullabaloo, Hallmark Hall of Fame, Frankenstein, Sapphire and Steel, and so on in the late 1900s. However, he also acted in recent TV series like Sex in the city, Ben-10. Batman and so on.
David McCallum & The Edge
So, David McCallum had an amazing musical career too. This is only expected given the upbringing that he had received, especially the classical training since he was a child. So, during the 1960s, under the label of Capitol Records with music producer David Axelrod, David McCallum recorded a total of four albums. In 1966, he recorded Music… A part of me. So, following this again in 1966, Capitol Records released the second album Music… A Bit of Me. Moreover, in 1968, he recorded and released Music… It’s Happening Now! And finally, in 1988, “McCallum” came out. If you look closely at the names of the albums you would realize how closely David McCallum associates music with his own life. So, music is a part and a bit more of himself. Therefore, he loves music intensely. However, his most famous piece probably was “The Edge”. So, it is popular even today.
However, the song has gone through a number of resamplings by various artists. So, Dr. Dre took inspiration from here for the intro and riff of his track “The Next Episode”. Moreover, “M.I.A” by Missin’ Linx, “No Regrets” by Masta Ace, and “Actions” by John Legend are some other resamplings of the song. However, the soundtrack of the 2017 film Baby Driver retains the original “The Edge” by David McCallum.
David McCallum Life and Legacy
David McCallum’s career spanned acting and music, with significant milestones before, during, and after “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” He grew up with a strong classical music background, winning a scholarship to the boys’ independent University College School in Hampstead, London. His parents aimed for him to pursue a musical career, so he began playing the oboe there. In 1946, at a very young age, McCallum started dubbing voices for BBC radio’s repertory company and engaged in local drama. He initiated his acting career as Oberon in an open-air production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by the Play and Pageant Union.
At 18, McCallum joined the British Army’s 3rd Battalion the Middlesex Regiment, eventually becoming a lieutenant in 1954. Post-army service, he returned to performing arts, enrolling in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, where Joan Collins was his classmate.
McCallum also portrayed Judas Iscariot in “The Greatest Story Ever Told” in 1965. His television roles included two appearances on “The Outer Limits” and a guest appearance on “Perry Mason” in 1964.
David McCallum Net Worth
According to different sources on the web, David McCallum currently has a net worth of 15 million dollars. We already know that his character in NCIS has become very popular. So, for each episode of NCIS that he has in, he gets a total amount of 175,000 dollars. However, considering his long career, the sums are not that great. But then, he has always played in supporting roles which pay much less than the lead roles.
David McCallum Wife
David McCallum experienced two marriages in his life. He first married Jill Ireland in 1957, with whom he had three children. Tragically, one of their children passed away due to an accidental drug overdose. This marriage ended in 1967, a decade later, partly because Jill Ireland developed a relationship with Charles Bronson. McCallum had introduced them during the filming of “The Great Escape.”
In the same year his first marriage ended, McCallum remarried. His second wife, Katherine Carpenter, was a former actress and model. Together, they have two children. Katherine has been actively involved in philanthropic activities alongside her husband.
David McCallum Death
David McCallum, renowned for his role as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on “NCIS” and as a spy in the 1960s series “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” passed away on September 25, 2023, at the age of 90. He died of natural causes at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. McCallum’s illustrious career spanned various roles in film and television, making significant contributions to the industry. His legacy extends beyond his acting career, as he was also known for his music, releasing several albums in the 1960s. His instrumental song “The Edge” has been used in contemporary media, demonstrating his lasting impact on the entertainment world.
David McCallum FAQs
There is a number of David McCallum on the web. From a football coach with the rangers to a seminary, there are so many of them. So, make sure when you are running for the web, you are looking at the correct David McCallum. Here are some questions which are very common with people.
Is David McCallum still alive?
No, David McCallum is not still alive. He passed away on 25 September 2023 at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City due to natural causes, six days after his 90th birthday.
Is David McCallum straight or gay?
Gender expression is something that a lot of celebrities do. We encourage them to do so! However, not everyone might want to make their sexualities, orientation, or choices known. Hence, we should equally respect their choice of privacy. So, David McCallum has never voiced anything about these. Therefore, we must not make assumptions.
What is the horoscope sign of David McCallum?
David McCallum is a Virgo.
How long ago did David McCallum’s career start?
So, it started in 1956 which is about 65 years ago.
Did David McCallum do drugs in the past?
A lot of celebrities do drugs in minor amounts. However, we do not know anything in particular about David McCallum. So, it is best not to assume.