David McCallum death: NCIS and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. actor dies aged 90 to natural causes

Former NCIS and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. actor David McCallum has died aged 90. The Scottish-born actor died in New York on Monday (September 25) due to natural causes, it has been confirmed by his son, Peter.

He said in a statement on behalf of the family: “He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father. He always put family before self. He looked forward to any chance to connect with his grandchildren, and had a unique bond with each of them.

“He and his youngest grandson, Whit, nine, could often be found in the corner of a room at family parties having deep philosophical conversations. He was a true renaissance man – he was fascinated by science and culture and would turn those passions into knowledge.

“For example, he was capable of conducting a symphony orchestra and (if needed) could actually perform an autopsy, based on his decades-long studies for his role on NCIS.

“After returning from the hospital to their apartment, I asked my mother if she was OK before she went to sleep. Her answer was simply, ‘Yes. But I do wish we had had a chance to grow old together.’

“She is 79, and dad just turned 90. The honesty in that emotion shows how vibrant their beautiful relationship and daily lives were, and that somehow, even at 90, Daddy never grew old.”

McCallum shot to fame in the 1960s for playing secret agent Illya Kuryakin in the television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. He enjoyed other notable roles in the decades that followed, but garnered renewed notoriety for his role as NCIS medical examiner Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard on NCIS.