**David McCallum, Iconic Actor of ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ and ‘NCIS’, Leaves £100,000 to Wife in Will**
Scottish-born actor David McCallum, widely celebrated for his roles in classic television and film, bequeathed an estate valued at just under £100,000 to his wife following his death last year, according to official probate documents issued in England and Wales.
McCallum, who passed away at the age of 90 on 25 September 2023, enjoyed an illustrious acting career spanning seven decades. He was best known in his earlier years for portraying the enigmatic Russian agent Illya Kuryakin in the 1960s series *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.*, a role that transformed him into a household name on both sides of the Atlantic. He also cemented his status as a film star with a notable performance alongside Steve McQueen in the war classic *The Great Escape*.
In more recent years, McCallum found renewed fame with a different generation as Dr Donald “Ducky” Mallard, the eccentric but wise medical examiner on the enduring American crime drama *NCIS*. His role as Ducky introduced him to millions of younger viewers and extended his career well into his eighties, with fans around the world mourning his passing last autumn.
Probate records now reveal that McCallum’s estate in the UK was worth £97,307 at the time of his death. The documentation further confirms that his entire British estate was left to his wife, Katherine Carpenter McCallum, who also acted as the administrator. The paperwork detailing his final wishes was made in 2010 and later ratified by the Nassau County Surrogate’s Court in New York, reflecting his transatlantic life and legacy.
The late actor was a family man, with five children from two marriages. His first marriage, to actress Jill Ireland, resulted in three sons: Valentine, Paul, and an adopted son, Jason. Tragically, Jason died in 1989 from a drug overdose, a family loss McCallum spoke of sparingly. After divorcing Ireland, who later married Charles Bronson, McCallum married Katherine Carpenter, with whom he had two more children—Peter and Sophie.
McCallum’s will makes particular provisions in the event of Katherine’s death before his own. Should that circumstance have arisen, his estate would have passed instead to son Peter and daughter Sophie. Furthermore, the will contained a clause guaranteeing that Paul and Valentine, his sons from his first marriage, would each be entitled to $100,000 in that eventuality.
Beyond *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.* and *NCIS*, McCallum featured in other notable television series such as *Colditz*, *The Invisible Man*, and *Sapphire & Steel*. His long acting tenure earned him several nominations for Emmy and Golden Globe awards, particularly during the height of his espionage drama fame in the 1960s.
Colleagues and fans have consistently praised McCallum not only for his professionalism but also for his warmth and wit off screen. Tributes after his death spoke to his generosity as a mentor and his enduring curiosity about both his craft and the wider world.
While some may be surprised that McCallum’s British estate totals less than £100,000, it is worth noting that high-profile performers with international careers often hold assets in multiple jurisdictions. The value mentioned relates specifically to his estate in England and Wales; details of the actor’s American assets have not been disclosed publicly.
McCallum’s legacy is thus split—in riches, in roles, and in remembrance—between both his family and the global audiences that cherished his work. His will, recently revealed, offers a final glimpse into how the star chose to provide for his loved ones and underscores a life defined by versatility, longevity and loyal familial bonds.