Meet David McCallum’s five children

The Glaswegian actor was born on 19 September 1933 and got his start on-screen in 1953 with a role in fantasy mini-series The Rose and the Ring.

He’s best known for roles in action classics like The Man from U.N.C.L.E., crime drama NCIS and 1963’s The Great Escape. 

Actress Jill Ireland started on-screen in the ’50s with appearances in Simon and Laura (1955) and Three Men in a Boat (1956). She met David on the set of Hell Drivers and the two tied the knot in London. She and David worked together on The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Robbery Under Arms.

During their decade-long marriage, the couple welcomed three children before separating in 1967. The actress subsequently remarried actor Charles Bronson who she had met four years before. 

David married again in 1967, saying ‘I do’ to Katherine Carpenter who he remained married to for 56 years. Together, they welcomed son Peter and daughter Sophie.

David met his second wife Katherine in 1965 during a photo shoot for The Man From U.N.C.L.E., in which David famously starred as secret agent Illya Kuryakin.

David McCallum is best known for bringing secret agent Illya Kuryakin to life on ’60s hit The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. He also starred alongside Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson and Steve McQueen in wartime adventure The Great Escape (1963). 

In 1979, he worked opposite Joanna Lumley as one half of the title pairing Sapphire and Steel and in 1983 reprised his role in The Return of the Man from UNCLE: The Fifteen Years Later Affair opposite Robert Vaughn.

Born on 10 October 1963, Valentine ‘Val’ McCallum is one of three sons David McCallum shared with first wife Jill Ireland.

He works as a singer-songwriter and is credited as a composer on several projects, including Murphy’s Law (1986) and Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987). He is married to Shelli and the couple share one child.

Born in 1962, Jason McCallum was the only adopted son shared by Jill and David. He passed at just 26 years old in 1989. 

David told the Belfast Telegraph: “You never come to terms with the death of a child. The pain is very real, but it’s like an ache that turns into anger.” 

Paul McCallum, like his younger brother Val, works as a musician and has several showbiz credits to his name. He first appeared in 1982’s Death Wish II, followed by a small role in 1983’s 10 to Midnight.

In 1986, he worked alongside his step-father Charles Bronson on Murphy’s Law and again in Act of Vengeance. He also worked alongside brother Val on the music for Death Wish 4: The Crackdown in 1987. 

Born in 1974, Sophie McCallum is the only daughter of David McCallum, who he shared with his second wife Katherine Carpenter. She is a mother to three sons and lives her life largely out of the public eye. 

David’s youngest son Peter has largely remained out of the spotlight but spoke publicly in praise of his father following the actor’s death. 

Peter told Closer Weekly: “He was the kindest, coolest, most patient and loving father. He always put family before [him]self. He looked forward to any chance to connect with his grandchildren and had a unique bond with each of them.”

David sadly died on 25 September 2023 at the age of 90. The actor remained a beloved and familiar face from his early start, receiving more fan mail from young women than any other star in MGM’s history, to his later role on NCIS. 

The actor was survived by his wife Katherine, four children and eight grandchildren.