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As NCIS fans mourn the loss of a beloved star, a prominent cast member has broken his silence to say a heartfelt goodbye.
On September 25, fans of the long-running procedural drama learned that David McCallum, who portrayed Donald “Ducky” Mallard, passed away at the age of 90 from natural causes. In the wake of his passing, many of his castmates paid tribute to his legacy online, including Wilmer Valderrama.
Mark Harmon, famously known for his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, also shared a personal statement to honor his old friend.
“David lived a great, full, long life,” Mark expressed in a statement to TVLine. “I was in awe when I first met him, and all of us on the show were honored to have stood opposite him. My condolences go out to [David’s wife] Katherine and his family.”
Both Mark and David had been with NCIS since its debut in September 2003. While Mark exited four episodes into season 19, David continued to portray Ducky, even appearing remotely in the season 20 finale. David was the last remaining original cast member on the show.
As David’s former co-stars share their memories of working with the The Man from U.N.C.L.E. actor, the official NCIS social media team also paid tribute to him on Instagram.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of David McCallum and privileged that CBS was his home for so many years,” read the caption alongside a photo of the Emmy Award nominee on September 25. “David was a gifted actor and author, beloved by many around the world. He led an incredible life, and his legacy will forever live on through his family and the countless hours of film and television that will never fade.”
“We will miss his warmth and endearing sense of humor that lit up any room or soundstage he entered, as well as the brilliant stories he often shared from a life well-lived,” the post concluded. “Our hearts go out to his wife Katherine, his entire family, and all those who knew and loved David.”
Our thoughts are with David’s family and friends during this difficult time.
