David McCallum’s NCIS Costars, Ex Joan Collins and Honor Late Actor: ‘He Made Every Moment Count’

Friends of David McCallum and NCIS the family remembers the deceased actor.

McCallum’s co-stars on the CBS hit, including Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly, as well as his friends and colleagues over the years paid tribute NCIS and The man from STRICA star following his death on Monday at the age of 90.

‘NCIS’ Star David McCallum Dies at 90: ‘A Scholar and a Gentleman’

Harmon, who played NCIS led Leroy Gibbs alongside McCallum’s Donald “Ducky” Mallard for 19 seasons, wrote in a statement shared with Deadline that he was “in awe” of the longtime actor “when I first met him.”

Harmon noted that McCallum “lived a great, full, long life” and also said, “All of us on the show were honored to be opposite him.”

John Paul Filo/CBS via Getty Images

Weatherly published a tribute on X (formerly known as Twitter), writing that McCallum “made every moment count, in life and on set,” along with what appeared to be an autographed photo the actor addressed to him.

“Let’s raise a glass and celebrate a funny, fantastic, authentic man. I only have 3 autographs,” Weatherly added. “[Sean] Connery, Tony Bennett and McCallum. I felt the same as Steve McQueen in this picture from The Great Escape: Wow! It’s David McCallum!”

“No one has done it better,” he summed up. “We were lucky that he brought us Ducky. Let’s send all the love in the world to his beautiful family. Rest in peace David.”

Pauley Perrette, who starred NCIS lead detective Abby Sciutto for 15 seasons, shared several photos on Instagram of her and McCallum posing together over the years, with the note: “What a life. What a legend. What a trip.”

“And your legacy will always be the love you have for your family,” she wrote. “I would like to [his wife] Katherine and the children and grandchildren, your absolute favorite things.”

Emily Wickersham, who said she “had the pleasure of working” with McCallum for “many years” at NCIS, she called the star “the ultimate professional and a true legend” on her Instagram Story. “I’ll miss you David,” she added.

NCIS alum Katrina Law also shared a photo of the actor dressed as Ducky with the caption “RIP”

NCIS star Emily Wickersham posted an Instagram Story tribute to McCallum.

Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images/Emily Wickersham Instagram

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Brian Dietzen, who plays McCallum’s character Ducky’s protégé, posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram calling McCallum a “mentor”, “a great scene partner” and a “dear friend”.

“He was a pleasure to work with,” Dietzen wrote. “I always had a smile. He always had something new to add to the page, and ALWAYS had the ability to steal any scene he was in! He had a quick and wry sense of humor and was generous with advice when I asked for it.”

He added: “The friendship and respect people have seen between Ducky and Jimmy over the years has mirrored the relationship we’ve developed off camera. Whether it was going on character exploration trips, attending charity events or playing golf together, he was always up for an adventure.”

Except McCallum’s NCIS family, several friends of the late actor, including Joan Collins, shared a heartfelt post in memory of the drama school sweetheart and The man from STRICA costar.

“So sad that #davidmccallum – my first boyfriend at #work – died,” Dynasty the star wrote on Instagram alongside an old photo of the two on set. “A good #actor, great #talent and a true #gentleman. Loved working with him on #manfromuncle #rip #ripdavidmccallum.”

Robert Wagner, who previously starred with McCallum on Escape from Colditz and other films, he shared a photo on Instagram of the two standing side by side in the black and white film.

“The world lost a great talent today,” he captioned the post. “David was a brilliant actor with whom I had the pleasure of working on several different projects. In thoughts of his wife, Katherine and his sons and daughters.”

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CBS reported Monday that McCallum died “peacefully” of natural causes surrounded by family at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

The actor left behind his wife Katherine McCallum, with whom he had been for 56 years, sons Paul, Valentine and Peter McCallum, daughter Sophie McCallum and eight grandchildren.

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