Curious World Staff
David McCallum, best known for his role as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS, nearly didn’t make it to the screen owing to studio protests. While McCallum became a staple of the show, studio executives initially opposed employing the Scottish actor, believing he was too old and questioned if a British actor would match the series’ “American” tone.
Former NCIS director James Whitmore Jr revealed that producer Don Bellisario fought to keep McCallum in the cast, even threatening to cancel the show. “Don said, ‘If you don’t, we’re not doing the show,’” Whitmore explained. Ultimately, the studio relented, and McCallum’s portrayal of Ducky became iconic.
Peter Golden, CBS’s former casting director, admitted that McCallum’s nationality played a factor in the pushback. Despite this, McCallum landed the part after several auditions, because to his charm and apparent talent. When asked about his casting, McCallum joked that he got the job offer while fixing a flat tire in Los Angeles.
Following McCallum’s death in 2023, NCIS honored him in an episode titled The Stories We Leave Behind, revisiting one of Ducky’s unresolved cases. Executive producers Steven D. Binder and David North praised McCallum as “a scholar and a gentleman,” noting his professionalism and the deep affection he inspired among his colleagues.
David McCallum’s legacy lives on through his unforgettable portrayal of Ducky, a character that brought wisdom, humor, and heart to NCIS for over two decades.
Related News – Be sure to get some more news when it comes to NCIS.
