Photo: David McCallum | By The Associated Press | Actor David McCallum, who became a teen heartthrob in the hit series “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” in the 1960s and was the eccentric medical examiner in the popular “NCIS” 40 years later, has died. He was 90.
McCallum died Monday of natural causes surrounded by family at New York Presbyterian Hospital, CBS said in a statement.
“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 countless hours on film and television that will never go away,” said a statement from CBS.
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Largely based in the U.S. from the 1960s onward, McCallum was a longtime American citizen, telling The Associated Press in 2003 that “I have always loved the freedom of this country and everything it stands for. And I live here, and I like to vote here.”
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“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,” Peter McCallum said in a statement.
In 2007, when he was working on “NCIS,” McCallum told a reporter: “I’ve always felt the harder I work, the luckier I get. I believe in serendipitous things happening, but at the same time, dedicating yourself to what you do is the best way to get along in this life.”
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Read the rest of this story here:
https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/david-mccallum-star-man-uncle-ncis-dies-90-rcna117295
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David McCallum, Star of ‘NCIS,’ ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,’ Dies at 90
By Carmel Dagan, Variety
David McCallum, who starred as Illya Kuryakin alongside Robert Vaughn’s Napoleon Solo in the 1960s hit spy drama “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” and had a supporting role as pathologist Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the top-rated series “NCIS” decades later, died Monday of natural causes in New York City. He was 90.
His son Peter made a statement on behalf of his family, saying, “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, 9, could often be found in the corner of a room at family parties having deep philosophical conversations.
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CBS said in a statement, “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 countless hours on film and television that will never go away. We will miss his warmth and endearing sense of humor that lit up any room or soundstage he stepped onto, as well as the brilliant stories he often shared from a life well-lived. Our hearts go out to his wife Katherine and his entire family, and all those who knew and loved David.”
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David Keith McCallum was born in Glasgow, Scotland, to a father who was first violinist for the London Philharmonic and a mother who was a cellist. Thus he originally pursued a career in music, training on the oboe and studying for a time at the Royal Academy of Music, though he soon left and enrolled at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After RADA he started performing with repertory theater companies.
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At the height of his fame in the 1960s, McCallum recorded four albums for Capitol Records. These were not opportunities for him to sing; instead, the classically trained musician conceived a blend of oboe, English horn, and strings with guitar and drums, presenting instrumental interpretations of current hits. Though someone else was officially credited as the arranger on the albums, McCallum conducted the music and contributed several original compositions.
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He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Katherine McCallum, his sons Paul McCallum, Valentine McCallum and Peter McCallum, his daughter Sophie McCallum and his eight grandchildren: Julia McCallum, Luca de Sanctis, Iain de Sanctis, Stella McCallum, Gavin McCallum, George McCallum, Alessandro de Sanctis and Whit McCallum.
Donations may be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation: https://www.mcsf.org/
https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/david-mccallum-dead-ncis-man-from-uncle-1235734772/
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OTHER NOTABLE MUSICIANS’ DEATHS
If you are thinking of committing suicide, please think of how much it will hurt your family and friends. Warning Signs of Suicide – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 and 888-628-9454 for Spanish. Learn the signs of someone who may be contemplating suicide.
If you want to know more about any of the musicians we lost, please check them out at
http://www.wikipedia.com
September 2023
25: David McCallum, 90, Scottish actor (The Man from U.N.C.L.E., NCIS, The Great Escape) and musician.
24: Felix Ayo, 90, Spanish-born Italian violinist (I Musici); Barry Olivier, 87, American guitar instructor, creator of the Berkeley Folk Music Festival.
23: François Glorieux, 91, Belgian conductor (Ballet of the 20th Century), composer, and musicologist: Terry Kirkman, 83, American musician (The Association) and songwriter (“Cherish”, “Everything That Touches You”), heart failure.
22: Olga Chorens, 99, Cuban singer and actress; Mike Henderson, 70, American singer-songwriter (“Broken Halos”, “Starting Over”) and musician (The SteelDrivers); Peter Horton, 82, Austrian guitarist, composer and singer (Eurovision Song Contest 1967); Alejandro Meerapfel, 54, Argentine operatic baritone, heart attack; Dieter Schneider, 86, German lyricist.
21: Robert W. Smith, 64, American trumpeter and composer, complications from heart surgery.
20: Katherine Anderson, 79, American singer (The Marvelettes); Yaacov Bergman, 78, Israeli conductor; Kent Stax, 61, American drummer (Scream), cancer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_in_2023
Photo: David McCallum | from his Facebook page
September 28, 2023| In Memoriam| Barb Dye