David McCallum wasn’t just a TV legend; he had real-life spy thriller moments of his own. Long before NCIS, he crossed into East Germany, right behind the Iron Curtain, just to prep for a role.
While most actors stick to script readings and table work, McCallum went full method, soaking in the Cold War tension firsthand.
Before NCIS and Illya Kuryakin, David McCallum faced Colditz’s real-life history
Before NCIS and his legendary run as Illya Kuryakin in The Man from UNCLE, David McCallum went behind the Iron Curtain for Colditz. The WWII drama, based on real Allied prisoners’ attempts to escape a German fortress, was a hit in the early ’70s.
But for McCallum, it was more than just a role. He actually visited Colditz Castle when it was deep in East Germany. He said in an interview,
It was a wonderful thing to play the part and he was a very interesting guy, the man that I played [RAF officer Simon Carter, based on real Colditz inmate Flight Lieutenant Dominic Bruce]. Pat Reid wrote the book on which the series was based – it was all very gung-ho and hail-fellow-well-met.
McCallum continued,
There’s a new book that’s come out [The Prisoners of the Castle]. It’s a detailed study of Colditz and tells you all the terrible things that were going on between the individuals who were actually incarcerated and everything that the Germans and the war effort were doing at that time.
It was an eye-opener to read that…But back then, when I went to visit Colditz, it was in East Germany, so that was quite interesting and dramatic.
McCallum played Flight Lieutenant Simon Carter, a character inspired by real-life escape artist Dominic Bruce. Known for his rebellious streak, Carter constantly challenged his captors and plotted his way out.
But the actor later learned the real story was even darker than the show depicted. A recent book, The Prisoners of the Castle, opened his eyes to all the terrible things happening inside Colditz during the war.
By the time Colditz aired, McCallum was already a massive star thanks to The Man from UNCLE. His portrayal of Illya Kuryakin, the Russian agent with a cult following, had fans sending “huge sacks” of mail. Fame also cost him his privacy, though he took it in stride.
McCallum, who died in 2023, credited his longevity to bacon and eggs — not Robert Vaughn’s health food obsession.
NCIS fans celebrated heartfelt tribute to David McCallum in season 22
NCIS fans got emotional all over again as the show honored David McCallum with another heartfelt tribute. Season 22’s third episode, The Trouble With Hal, saw the team deciding what to do with Ducky’s old office — sparking debate and nostalgia.
Agent Nick Torres jokingly suggested turning it into a gym, but Jimmy Palmer knew his late mentor would approve of a new purpose. Kasie Hines used it for meditation, while Director Leon Vance insisted on keeping Ducky’s old files intact. The final touch? Naming it the Dr. Donald Mallard Memorial Multi-Purpose Room.
When Vance worried the name was too long, Jimmy’s simple fix sealed the deal: “Just Ducky’s.” Fans loved it.
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