Scottish actor and musician David McCallum had a remarkable career in acting before he passed away in 2023 at the age of 90. Among his most notable works would be his portrayal of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in the police procedural drama NCIS. He played this role to the best of his abilities for 20 seasons until his death.
While he quickly became one of the most loved characters on the show, his hard work in order to fully embody the chief medical examiner role is also noteworthy. So, much so that he actually got the Director of the FBI to teach him all about the sciences in order to better understand his character.
David McCallum Tried to Perfect His NCIS Role With the Help of Experts
David McCallum had a plethora of projects to his name, but for the viewers, he will forever be remembered as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard from NCIS. His role as the lovable medical examiner quickly made him a beloved character on the long-running CBS show. However, what many might not know is just how far the actor went to make sure that his portrayal felt real.
And he involved one of the highest authorities in the field of law enforcement – the Director of the FBI to teach him the nitty-gritty of how his character should function. McCallum added during an Emmy interview:
The first thing I realized is, I knew nothing about pathology. One of my close friends is Robert Mueller, who at that point was the director of the FBI. So I said to my wife, “I have to play this right — we have to go to Washington.” So we went to NCIS [at Marine Corps Base Quantico] and met David Brant, the then-director, and went all around the NCIS and the FBI.
Not only this but he also spent a good amount of time in Los Angeles observing autopsies to understand the real process of examining bodies and using surgical tools. He also closely worked with the show’s writers and creators to ensure that Dr. Donald Mallard’s actions and reactions were realistic.
McCallum focused on small details such as how coroners use ordinary scissors instead of fancy ones during autopsies. The actor also brought humor as well as warmth to a character whose job was often dealing with death. He added via the same Emmy interview:
The sign on the wall over three autopsies: NO EATING OR DRINKING. There’s a sense of humor in there. You learn all that, and you bring that to the show, and you bring it to Ducky.
His dedication didn’t stop with pathology, and he continuously worked hard to understand how Ducky would fit in the larger NCIS universe. While the actor passed away in 2023, he has left behind a legacy that future generations will cherish as well.
Why Did Cote De Pablo Suddenly Leave NCIS?
NCIS is truly a staple in the world of crime dramas but is also famous for some major cast changes throughout its long run. But out of the lot, Cote de Pablo’s exit in season 11 was the most heartbreaking for fans as now they won’t be able to see the tough and beloved Ziva David.
The character had a lot of potential and the viewers absolutely loved her interactions with Tony DiNozzo played by actor Michael Weatherly. In the midst of her leaving the project, rumors started swirling about a possible behind-the-scenes drama.
In 2013 the actress detailed that due to a personal situation, she said goodbye to the show but kept the majority of the details private. However, in 2016 she shed more light on her departure and added:
They were going to send [Ziva] back to Israel and assemble her an unfortunate, miserable woman. I said, ‘What do I leave all the women that are watching and following the show?’ And I didn’t think it was fair.
She continued:
So, I said, ‘Unless someone can really write something fantastic for [Ziva], I won’t go back.
The huge character shift of Ziva and that she would now be portrayed as a broken person led to the actress’ exit from the show. Now in 2024, both Tony and Ziva are said to be returning back to the NCIS world with their spin-off. In this de Pablo would be pairing up with Weatherly again, all set to create magic on the screens once more.
You can watch NCIS on Paramount+.
