Brian Dietzen Shares Touching Detail About NCIS’s David McCallum Tribute

NCIS aired a heartfelt episode last night, paying homage to David McCallum, the beloved actor who portrayed Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard for two decades. While Ducky’s passing wasn’t a surprise due to McCallum’s real-life passing in September 2023, the episode offered a touching twist.

Instead of the usual fast-paced opening, we saw Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) delivering coffee to Ducky’s house, only to discover his tragic passing in his sleep. This somber scene was followed by a deliberate fade into the show’s intro, played at a noticeably slower tempo.

This unique choice, though challenging to execute, was a conscious decision to reflect the episode’s serious tone. Dietzen, who plays Palmer, shared the team’s struggle to segue from the emotional opening to the usual action-packed intro. He felt it wouldn’t resonate with the episode’s gravity.

Dietzen praised the slowed-down intro, calling it a “beautiful” way to honor both McCallum and Ducky. He expressed his satisfaction with the tribute and invited viewers to share their thoughts on the episode’s approach.

This rewrite offers a more concise and impactful summary, emphasizing the emotional core of the episode and Dietzen’s key message about the tribute’s significance.