To millions of fans, David McCallum will always be Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard—the wise, compassionate heart of NCIS. But long before the autopsy table, McCallum quietly made music history.
In 1966, at the height of his fame from The Man from U.N.C.L.E., McCallum released a lounge-jazz album produced by David Axelrod. One instrumental track, “The Edge,” featured a hypnotic 12-note intro that would resurface decades later in an unexpected place.
In 2000, Dr. Dre sampled “The Edge” for his hit “The Next Episode,” instantly cementing McCallum’s music into hip-hop history. The hook went on to appear in songs by M.I.A. and Masta Ace, as well as in GTA IV and the film Baby Driver.
Following McCallum’s passing in 2023, NCIS: Origins honored his legacy with a tribute episode titled “The Edge,” blending his acting and musical influence—proof that Ducky’s impact reached far beyond the lab.
