David McCallum, 'NCIS' Forensic Pathologist, Dies at 90

British actor David McCallum, who played the role of forensic pathologist “Ducky” in “NCIS” for 20 seasons, has died at the age of 90, several American media reported Monday.

The man who first became known to the general public in the 1960s by playing the charming Illya Kouriakine in the series “Very Special Agents” died Monday surrounded by his family in a New York hospital, said the CBS channel.

“He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father,” his son Peter said, according to the channel. “He was fascinated by science and culture and transformed these passions into knowledge,” he added, specifying that his father would have even been able to perform an autopsy “based on his decades-long research for his role in NCIS.

A student at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, David McCallum made one of his first film appearances in 1963 in “The Great Escape”, notably alongside Steve McQueen.

But it was when he was chosen the following year to play the enigmatic Soviet secret agent Illya Kouriakin in “Very Special Agents” that his career really took off. With lush blonde hair and turtlenecks, David McCallum represented a certain icon of charm. The “Very Special Agents” series only lasted four years, but his character followed him for life. “It’s been more than 30 years but I can’t escape,” he told the New York Times in 1998.

From 2003, he began his role as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard, a forensic pathologist for the United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service, NCIS, in the series of the same name. A real hit, it will be followed by millions of spectators in the United States and around the world, continuing through its 20 seasons to be broadcast on American television. With his characteristic bow ties, he would appear in all but one episode of the first 15 seasons, before making more sporadic appearances from season 16 onwards.