Without the endearing medical examiner Ducky, NCIS wouldn’t have been the same, but he almost had a different actor playing him.
David McCallum, an actor well known for his work on NCIS, has supported Ducky since the beginning, but there was another well-known figure that was considered for the part.
The news that Donald “Ducky” Mallard had passed away six days after his 90th birthday last month devastated fans all across the world. As the group’s principal medical examiner from the premiere episode until his retirement in March 2019, McCallum has been supporting Ducky.
He wasn’t quite ready to leave it all behind entirely, so was brought back as the part-time historian and CBS viewers loved seeing him pop in from time to time.
The Brit wasn’t always guaranteed the role, NCIS’ creators have revealed, as there was another Hollywood star who was up for the part.
NCIS’ behind-the-scenes stars talked to The Hollywood Reporter about creating the program as the police procedural turned 20 this year. It is commonly known that Mark Harmon was ultimately chosen for the character of Agent Leroy Gibbs, despite Harrison Ford from Star Wars being considered.
However, Urban Cowboy actor Scott Glenn was “considered very strongly” for the role of Gibbs, according to executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson. Susan Bluestein, the casting director for NCIS, responded, “Scott Glenn, definitely. Additionally, Scott Glenn was a candidate to play Ducky.
“There was a lot of discussion about Scott Glenn, and ultimately Scott Glenn passed.”
Apart from Urban Cowboy, Glenn has been in Vertical Limit, Silverado, The Hill, Silence of the Lambs and The Hunt for Red October so he was well known on the big screen.Nevertheless, NCIS creator Don Bellisario was adamant that he wanted McCallum as Ducky, despite some reservations.
Director James Whitmore explained: “When they cast David McCallum as Ducky, the studio said ‘No way, we’re not casting this old character actor in the role.’
“And Don [Bellisario] said ‘If you don’t we’re not doing the show.’ He was that serious about it.
“The studio went with it, and of course, David McCallum is gold.”
Fans and stars alike have been paying tribute to McCallum since he died, including former co-star Harmon. In a statement, he said: “David lived a great, full, long life.
“When I first met him, I was speechless, and everyone on the program felt privileged to have toed the line opposite him.
My heartfelt sympathies are sent to David’s family and to his wife Katherine.
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