NCIS stars Mark Harmon, Brian Dietzen, Pauley Perrette and more pay tribute to late co-star David McCallum

NCIS stars Mark Harmon, Brian Dietzen, Pauley Perrette and more have paid tribute to the late David McCallum, who has died at the age of 90.

The actor, who was perhaps best known for his role as Chief Medical Examiner Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the long-running CBS drama, died of natural causes at New York Presbyterian Hospital, nearly a week after turning 90.

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David’s son Peter announced on Monday that his father had passed away, prompting fellow Scottish stars to share their memories of working with him.

Mark Harmon, who played the lead role of Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS until 2021, shared a statement with TV Line. Paying tribute to his friend and former team-mate, he said: “David lived a great, full, long life.

© GettyMark Harmon and David McCallum starred alongside each other on NCIS

“I was in awe when I first met him and all of us on the show were honored to be up against him. My condolences go out to Katherine and his family.”

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Brian Dietzen, who plays Dr. Jimmy Palmer, reacted to David’s death on social media, posting a carousel of pictures of David and the rest of the cast, including a selfie of the pair having lunch together on set.

© CBS Photo ArchiveBrian Dietzen as Jimmy Palmer and David McCallum as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard

In the title, the 45-year-old paid a sincere tribute to his late colleague. “A life well lived,” he began.

“David McCallum was a mentor, a great stage partner, a wonderful father and husband, and a dear friend of mine.”

He went on to detail when he first met David on the set of the series. “I was booked to do one day on the show, but David and I hit it off. Our scene went well and they invited me back to do more scenes with this movie legend. A few more.

“Over the next 20 years, David and I (along with our alter-egos Ducky and Jimmy) developed a deep friendship and love for our work together.”

Brian continued, “He was a joy to work with. He always had a smile. He always had something new to add to the page, and he 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 was also quick to give praise for a job well done. I loved calling him on the phone after the show aired to hear him talk about the scenes (even though he appeared less and less on our show).”

© CBS Photo ArchiveDavid McCallum played medical examiner Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS

The star explained how the ‘friendship and respect’ between Ducky and Jimmy was reflected on screen when the cameras weren’t on. . The guy could do anything,” he wrote.

“He lived to be 90 years old, was part of numerous hit TV shows, movies, Broadway shows and wrote several novels, all while raising a loving family.

“Thank you David. I love you my friend. I will miss you,” David added.

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Pauley, who played Abby Sciuto from 2003 to 2018, also took to social media with a heartfelt post about David.

© Pauley Perrette/InstagramPauley shared a tribute to David on Instagram

Along with a series of photos of the couple, she wrote: “Oh David. What a life. What a legend. What a journey.

“And your legacy will always be the love you have for your family. The love for Katherine and your children and grandchildren, your absolute favorite things.”

Meanwhile, Michael Weatherly – aka Tony DiNozzo – wrote on Twitter, now X: “For David McCallum, every moment mattered, in life and on set. Let’s raise a mug and celebrate the funny, fantastic, authentic man.

“I only got 3 autographs. Connery, Tony Bennett and McCallum. I felt the same as Steve McQueen in this picture from The Great Escape: Wow! That’s David McCallum! Nobody did it better. We were lucky to have him bring us Ducky . Let’s send all the love in the world to his beautiful family. Rest in peace David.”

© CBSMichael Weatherly played Tony DiNozzo on the show

Wilmer Valderrama, who plays Nicholas Torres, took to Instagram with a photo of the couple in character. “David, what an immense honor it was to share the screen with you,” he wrote. “Your professionalism and ability to effortlessly take each of us on a journey through your art will be felt forever.

“I’ll miss you, my friend.”

Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education