'NCIS' And 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E' Actor David McCallum Dies At 90

David McCallum passed away of natural causes on Monday at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

McCallum is survived by his wife Katherine, his four children, and his eight grandchildren.

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New Delhi: David McCallum, who played Illya Kuryakin in the blockbuster espionage thriller ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’ passed away on Monday in New York City. He was 90. CBS confirmed in a statement that McCallum passed away at New York Presbyterian Hospital on Monday of natural causes, surrounded by family. McCallum is survived by his wife Katherine, his four children, and his eight grandchildren.

Taking to X, previously known as Twitter, "N.C.I.S." shared the news of his passing with the online community. 

We are deeply saddened by the passing of David McCallum and privileged that CBS was his home for so many years. David was a gifted actor and author, and beloved by many around the world. He led an incredible life, and his legacy will forever live on through his family and the… pic.twitter.com/1UgOz7pQ8g

— The NCISverse (@ncisverse) September 25, 2023

McCallum's first wife, British actress Jill Ireland, left him for actor Charles Bronson ten years after they got married in May 1957. However, McCallum swiftly overcame and married model Katherine Carpenter in 1967. They were together for 56 years. 

McCallum was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1933 to parents who worked in orchestras. 

McCallum has had a fruitful career on the big and small screens. He also excelled as a musician. The character of Russian secret agent Illya Kuryakin, the companion of Robert Vaughn's American Napoleon Solo, in the spy series 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' was McCallum's breakthrough role.

He was best known for his part as Chief Medical Examiner Donald "Ducky" Mallard on the television show NCIS. In this role, he was a much-loved father figure for the group. 

Mr. McCallum, a veteran character actor who studied at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, was known for his ability to add nuance to his roles via subtle touches like a foreign accent or an eccentric choice of dress. From Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in Central Park in 2000 to Professor Paradox on ‘Ben 10: Ultimate Alien’ ten years later, he portrayed a broad variety of roles on stage, screen, and in the voiceover industry.