Goodbye to David McCallum, The Man from UNLCE and NCIS star

David McCallum, known as 'Ducky' Mallard in the series 'NCIS', has died at the age of 90.

CBS, the network where the famous series is broadcast, communicated the sad news. It stated that David McCallum had died of natural causes, surrounded by his family, at New York Presbyterian Hospital.

"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," the statement continued.

A native of Scotland, he made a name for himself on British television in the mid-20th century. However, in the early '60s, he had the opportunity to make the leap to the United States and so he did.

He became famous with the series 'The Man From UNCLE', where he played Illya Kuryakin alongside Robert Vaughn's Napoleon Solo.

'The Man From U.N.C.L.E' earned him two Emmy nominations, industry recognition, and constant work for the next 60 years.

McCallum alternated film and television with memorable roles. Noteworthy is the episode 'The Sixth Finger' of 'The Outer Limits' series (1963), and 'Teacher, Teacher' (1969) in the 'Hallmark Hall of Fame' series, which earned him another Emmy nomination.

Here we see him with Lee Majors in the TV film 'Six Million Dollar Man' in 1973.

On British TV, he appeared regularly as a lead actor in series like 'Sapphire & Steel' (1979-82, image) or 'Mother Love' (1989), and in Hollywood, he visited about every important drama of the late 20th century, from 'Murder, She Wrote' to 'Law & Order' and 'Sex & the City.'

In 2003, the veteran actor joined 'NCIS'. He was 70 at the time and it was unclear how much fame this show would give him.

An important protagonist of the series, he played Donald Mallard, a forensic expert as eccentric as he was effective, for 20 years.

'Ducky,' as the character was nicknamed, served as the unofficial father to the rest of the investigators for 457 episodes.

For context, David McCallum had more episodes under his belt than co-stars Mark Harmon (435 episodes) and Sean Murray (435 episodes).

The actor had a "life well lived", as CBS points out before remembering the personal and "brilliant stories that he often shared."

As his son, Peter McCallum, made clear in the statement that the McCallums have shared, family was very important in the actor's life.

"He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father. He always put family before himself," notes his son.

David McCallum leaves Katherine, his wife of 56 years, behind, as well as four children and eight grandchildren.