The NCIS family took a hit with the tragic loss of David McCallum
The NCIS series began this week with mixed emotions as it marked its milestone 20th anniversary and lamented the loss of one of their own. David McCallum, who portrayed Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in season one, died on Monday, September 25, at the age of 90, according to the latest report.
The whole NCIS cast and crew joined together to pay respect to the late English actor, while past cast members like Pauley Perrette, Mark Harmon, and Michael Weatherly also sent their condolences. Since then, there has been a growing desire among viewers to memorialize David and Ducky in some way by having the actors return to reprise their beloved roles on the show.
For a refresher, Mark played Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs on the show from seasons 1-19, Pauley played Forensic Specialist Abby Sciutio from seasons 1-15, and Michael played Senior Field Agent Anthony DiNozzo from seasons 1-13.
Other significant characters who have since left the show include Cote de Pablo, who played Special Agent Ziva David from seasons 3-11 (with appearances through season 17), and Emily Wickersham, who played Special Agent Eleanor Bishop from seasons 11-18.
On a post shared by the NCIS Instagram page honoring the character, a fan commented: “First new episode needs to be a funeral for Ducky with the return of Gibbs, Tony, and (probably a long shot) Abby.”
Others who saw the statement soon expressed support, saying things like, “I demand that this happen,” and “Yes they do.”Many others raised the same thought, speculating that Gibbs would probably be the first to return and requesting names like “Gibbs, Ziva, Bishop, DiNozzo, Abby.”
Even though their roles on the program were over, a few of the former leads paid David tribute. “David lived a great, full, long life,” Mark told TVLine. When I first met him, I was speechless, and everyone on the concert felt privileged to have shared a stage with him. I send Katherine and his family my sympathies.
Pauley wrote on Instagram: “Oh David. What a life. What a legend. What a journey. And your legacy will always be the love you have for your family. Love to Katherine and the kids and the grandkids, your absolutely very favorite things.”
On X, the site that replaced Twitter, Michael wrote: “David McCallum made every moment count, in life and on set. Let’s raise a jug to toast a hilarious, brilliant, and genuine man. I only have three autographs. McCallum, Connery, and Tony Bennett.In this image from The Great Escape, Steve McQueen and I both felt the same way: Wow! David McCallum is here! No one performed it better. He bringing Ducky was a stroke of luck for us. Let’s shower his lovely family with all the love in the world. Peace be with you, David.