David McCallum dies at 90

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,” the network’s statement read. “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.”

Born in Scotland, McCallum got his big break in the US (after a number of roles in British television) in the 1960s spy series “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,” co-starring as agent Illya Kuryakin opposite Robert Vaughn’s suave spy Napoleon Solo.

The Scottish-born son of two musicians had an acting career spanning seven decades that dated back to his student days in the 1950s at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where one of his classmates was future star Joan Collins.

He launched his career with supporting parts in a number of British films, including "A Night to Remember" in 1958, where he played Harold Bride, radio operator on the doomed Titanic. He gained the attention of American audiences with his small but pivotal role as one of the prisoners of war plotting a mass breakout from a German prison camp in the 1963 World War Two classic "The Great Escape."

His role on NCIS came after he appeared for a role in the show JAG, which led to the NCIS spinoff. NCIS itself later went on to generate other NCIS shows, including NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans.

McCallum also found work as a voice actor for children's cartoons and video games.

A statement issued by his family called him a "true renaissance man".

"He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father. He always put family before self," son Peter McCallum said.

"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."

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 Sarah H

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