History of David McCallum in Timeline

David McCallum was a Scottish actor and musician best known for his role as Illya Kuryakin, a secret agent, in the 1960s television series *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.* The series brought him widespread fame and established him as a prominent figure in television during that era.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

September 1933: David McCallum's Birth

In September 1933, David Keith McCallum was born in Scotland. He later became a well known actor and musician.

September 1933: David McCallum Born in Glasgow

On 19 September 1933, David Keith McCallum was born in Glasgow.

1946: Equity Card Since

In 1946, David McCallum obtained his Equity card.

1946: Early BBC Radio Work

In 1946, at the age of 13, David McCallum began doing boy voices for the BBC radio repertory company.

1947: Radio Acting Career Begins

In 1947, David McCallum began his acting career doing boy voices for BBC Radio.

1951: Assistant Stage Manager

In 1951, David McCallum became assistant stage manager of the Glyndebourne Opera Company.

March 1954: Promotion to Lieutenant

In March 1954, David McCallum was promoted to lieutenant in the British Army.

1956: Signed by Rank Organisation

In 1956, David McCallum was signed by the Rank Organisation after a James Dean-themed photograph caught their attention.

May 1957: Marriage to Jill Ireland

On 11 May 1957, David McCallum married actress Jill Ireland in London.

1957: Role in Robbery Under Arms

In 1957, David McCallum played an outlaw in Robbery Under Arms.

1958: A Night to Remember Role

In 1958, David McCallum had a small role in the film A Night to Remember.

1958: Roles in A Night to Remember and Violent Playground

In 1958, David McCallum played Harold Bride in A Night to Remember and a juvenile delinquent in Violent Playground.

1962: American Film Debut

In 1962, David McCallum's first American film was Freud: The Secret Passion.

1963: The Great Escape Release

In 1963, David McCallum notably appeared in The Great Escape.

1964: The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Airs

From 1964, David McCallum garnered two Emmy Award nominations playing the intellectual and introverted secret agent in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

1964: The Outer Limits and Perry Mason Appearances

In 1964, David McCallum appeared in The Outer Limits and Perry Mason.

1965: The Greatest Story Ever Told

In 1965, David McCallum appeared as Judas Iscariot in The Greatest Story Ever Told.

1965: Meeting Katherine Carpenter

In 1965, David McCallum met Katherine Carpenter at a Glamour magazine photo shoot.

1965: Judas Iscariot in The Greatest Story Ever Told

In 1965, David McCallum took the role of Judas Iscariot in The Greatest Story Ever Told.

April 1966: "Communication" Single Release

In April 1966, David McCallum's single release of "Communication" reached No. 32 in the UK Singles Chart.

1966: Capitol Records Albums

In 1966, David McCallum recorded Music...A Part of Me and Music...A Bit More of Me for Capitol Records.

1966: "Love Ya, Illya" Release

In 1966, a record, "Love Ya, Illya", performed by Alma Cogan under the name Angela and the Fans, was a pirate radio hit in Britain. This shows the popularity David McCallum gained.

February 1967: Divorce from Jill Ireland

In February 1967, the marriage between David McCallum and Jill Ireland legally ended.

September 1967: Marriage to Katherine Carpenter

In September 1967, David McCallum married Katherine Carpenter, a fashion model who became an interior designer, in Valley Stream, New York.

1967: Music...It's Happening Now! Album

In 1967, David McCallum recorded Music...It's Happening Now! for Capitol Records.

1968: Sol Madrid Role

In 1968, David McCallum played the title role in the thriller, Sol Madrid.

1968: McCallum Album

In 1968, David McCallum recorded the album McCallum for Capitol Records.

1968: The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Ends

In 1968, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. ended. David McCallum garnered two Emmy Award nominations playing the intellectual and introverted secret agent in the show.

1972: Colditz Role

In 1972, David McCallum became a familiar face on British television in shows such as Colditz.

1973: "The Rats in the Walls" Recording

In 1973, David McCallum recorded "The Rats in the Walls" for Caedmon Records.

1974: Colditz Conclusion

In 1974, David McCallum continued to be a familiar face on British television in shows such as Colditz.

1975: The Invisible Man Role

In 1975, David McCallum played the title character in The Invisible Man.

1976: "The Dunwich Horror" Recording

In 1976, David McCallum recorded "The Dunwich Horror" for Caedmon Records.

1978: Kidnapped Role

In 1978, David McCallum became a familiar face on British television in shows such as Kidnapped.

1979: Sapphire & Steel Role

In 1979, David McCallum became a familiar face on British television in shows such as Sapphire & Steel.

1979: "The Haunter of the Dark" Recording

In 1979, David McCallum recorded "The Haunter of the Dark" for Caedmon Records.

1982: Sapphire & Steel Conclusion

In 1982, David McCallum concluded his role as Steel in Sapphire & Steel.

1983: Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.

In 1983, David McCallum and Robert Vaughn reprised their roles in the television film, Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E..

1986: The A-Team Episode

In 1986, David McCallum reunited with Robert Vaughn in an episode of The A-Team.

1987: Run for Your Wife Stage Show

In 1987, David McCallum appeared on stage in Australia in Run for Your Wife.

1988: Run for Your Wife Tour

In 1988, David McCallum appeared on stage in Australia in Run for Your Wife which toured the country.

1989: Mother Love and Murder, She Wrote

In 1989, David McCallum starred with Diana Rigg in Mother Love and appeared in an episode of Murder, She Wrote.

1989: Death of Adopted Son

In 1989, David McCallum's adopted son Jason died from an accidental drug overdose.

1991: Trainer Role

In 1991, David McCallum played gambler John Grey in the television series Trainer.

1992: Trainer Role Continued

In 1992, David McCallum continued playing gambler John Grey in the television series Trainer.

1994: Titanic Documentary Narration

In 1994, David McCallum narrated the documentary Titanic: The Complete Story.

1997: Law & Order Guest Role

In 1997, David McCallum had a guest role in Law & Order.

1998: Sidekick Interview

In a 1998 interview, David McCallum recalled that "I'd never heard of the word 'sidekick' before" when presented by his character's description for the first time.

August 1999: Naturalization as a U.S. Citizen

In August 1999, David McCallum was naturalized as a United States citizen.

2003: NCIS Debut

In 2003, David McCallum gained renewed international popularity for his role as NCIS chief medical examiner Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in the CBS television series NCIS.

May 2005: James Earl Ash Lecture

In May 2005, David McCallum appeared at the 21st Annual James Earl Ash Lecture, presenting "Reel to Real Forensics".

2006: Expertise in Forensics

According to behind-the-scenes in 2006, David McCallum became an expert in forensics to play Mallard.

2008: "The Edge" in Grand Theft Auto IV

In 2008, David McCallum's "The Edge" appeared on the soundtrack to the video game Grand Theft Auto IV.

2010: Equity Card Statement

On November 3, 2010, David McCallum stated that he had actually held his Equity card since 1946.

April 2012: Contract Extension with CBS

In late April 2012, David McCallum reached an agreement on a two-year contract extension with CBS-TV for NCIS.

May 2014: Contract Extension

In May 2014, David McCallum signed another two-year contract with CBS-TV for NCIS.

2016: Once a Crooked Man Publication

In 2016, David McCallum published a crime novel entitled Once a Crooked Man.

2016: Contract Extension

In 2016, David McCallum signed an extension to his contract with CBS for NCIS.

2017: Contract Extension and Limited Schedule

In 2017, David McCallum signed a contract extension with CBS for NCIS, beginning a limited schedule.

2017: "The Edge" in Baby Driver

In 2017, David McCallum's "The Edge" appeared on the soundtrack to the film Baby Driver.

2021: Last Original NCIS Cast Member

In the fall of 2021, with Mark Harmon's departure from NCIS, David McCallum became the last remaining member of the original cast.

September 2023: David McCallum's Death

In September 2023, David McCallum passed away at the age of 90 in New York City.

2023: Death of David McCallum

In 2023, David McCallum passed away, he was the last remaining member of the original NCIS cast.

2023: McCallum's Death and NCIS Conclusion

In 2023, David McCallum passed away, marking the end of his 20-season run on NCIS.

February 2024: Tribute Episode on NCIS

In February 2024, NCIS aired a tribute episode dedicated to David McCallum.

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