Born September 1933 David Keith McCallum, Jr. best known for his roles as Illya Kuryakin, a Russian-born secret agent, in the 1960s tv series, The Man from UNCLE, and Dr Donald Ducky Mallard in NCIS. He's another heartthrob from my early years.
He began his career as a bit-part actor in British films of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The Man from UNCLE, intended as a vehicle for Robert Vaughn made McCallum into a sex symbol, his Beatles-styleblond haircut providing a trendy contrast with Vaughn's traditional appearance. McCallum's role as the mysterious Russian agent was originally conceived as a peripheral one. However, McCallum took the opportunity to construct a complex character whose appeal rested largely in what was shadowy and enigmatic about him. Kuryakin's popularity with the audience and Vaughn and McCallum's on-screen chemistry were quickly recognised by the producers and McCallum was elevated to co-star status.
Although the show aired at the height of The Cold WarMcCallum's Russian alter-ego became a pop culture phenomenon. The actor was inundated with fan letters and a Beatles-like frenzy followed him everywhere he went. He was popularly referred to as 'the blond Beatle'. While playing Kuryakin, McCallum received more fan mail than any other actor in MGM history.
Hero worship even led to a record, "Love Ya, Illya," performed by Alma Cogan. He received two Emmy nominations in the course of the show's run (1964-68) for playing the intellectual and introverted secret agent.
Although McCallum became a familiar face on British television in shows such as Colditz (1973), he never repeated the popular success he had had as Kuryakin. His best-known other British TV roles have been in ITV's science fiction series, Sapphire and Steel, and the mid 70s remake of The Invisible Man.
Since 2003 McCallum has starred in the CBS television series NCIS as
Dr Donald "Ducky" Mallard, one of the key characters. In an inside joke, when Agent Gibbs is asked, "What did Ducky look like when he was younger?," Gibbs responds, "Illya Kuryakin."
McCallum appeared at the 21st Annual James Earl Ash Lecture, held May 19, 2005 at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, an evening for honoring America's service members. His lecture, "Reel to Real Forensics," was with Cmdr. Craig T. Mallak, U.S. Armed Forces medical examiner, and featured a presentation comparing the real-life work of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner staff with that of the fictional naval investigators appearing on NCIS.
The Russian Man from UNCLE.
With Robert Vaughn on the cover of 1965 TV Guide
In The Great Escape
A publicity shot for the 1970s show, The Invisible Man
In a 1970s trademark sweater for The Invisible Man
With Joanna Lumley in the British (ITV) late 70s/early 80s science fiction show, Sapphire & Steel
More recently with his friend, another 60s cult icon Emma Peel (Dame Diana Rigg)
And finally, as modern audiences might best know him as Dr Ducky Mallard in NCIS.
He began his career as a bit-part actor in British films of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The Man from UNCLE, intended as a vehicle for Robert Vaughn made McCallum into a sex symbol, his Beatles-styleblond haircut providing a trendy contrast with Vaughn's traditional appearance. McCallum's role as the mysterious Russian agent was originally conceived as a peripheral one. However, McCallum took the opportunity to construct a complex character whose appeal rested largely in what was shadowy and enigmatic about him. Kuryakin's popularity with the audience and Vaughn and McCallum's on-screen chemistry were quickly recognised by the producers and McCallum was elevated to co-star status.
Although the show aired at the height of The Cold WarMcCallum's Russian alter-ego became a pop culture phenomenon. The actor was inundated with fan letters and a Beatles-like frenzy followed him everywhere he went. He was popularly referred to as 'the blond Beatle'. While playing Kuryakin, McCallum received more fan mail than any other actor in MGM history.
Hero worship even led to a record, "Love Ya, Illya," performed by Alma Cogan. He received two Emmy nominations in the course of the show's run (1964-68) for playing the intellectual and introverted secret agent.
Although McCallum became a familiar face on British television in shows such as Colditz (1973), he never repeated the popular success he had had as Kuryakin. His best-known other British TV roles have been in ITV's science fiction series, Sapphire and Steel, and the mid 70s remake of The Invisible Man.
Since 2003 McCallum has starred in the CBS television series NCIS as
Dr Donald "Ducky" Mallard, one of the key characters. In an inside joke, when Agent Gibbs is asked, "What did Ducky look like when he was younger?," Gibbs responds, "Illya Kuryakin."
McCallum appeared at the 21st Annual James Earl Ash Lecture, held May 19, 2005 at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, an evening for honoring America's service members. His lecture, "Reel to Real Forensics," was with Cmdr. Craig T. Mallak, U.S. Armed Forces medical examiner, and featured a presentation comparing the real-life work of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner staff with that of the fictional naval investigators appearing on NCIS.
The Russian Man from UNCLE.
With Robert Vaughn on the cover of 1965 TV Guide
In The Great Escape
A publicity shot for the 1970s show, The Invisible Man
In a 1970s trademark sweater for The Invisible Man
With Joanna Lumley in the British (ITV) late 70s/early 80s science fiction show, Sapphire & Steel
More recently with his friend, another 60s cult icon Emma Peel (Dame Diana Rigg)
And finally, as modern audiences might best know him as Dr Ducky Mallard in NCIS.
