The NCIS: Los Angeles cast brought high-stakes action, witty banter, and unbreakable team bonds to life over 14 thrilling seasons, from 2009 to 2023. As fans mourned the series finale, many turned their curiosity to the stars behind the characters—wondering how the NCIS Los Angeles cast balanced intense filming schedules with their own heartfelt personal lives. Off-screen, these actors have cultivated enduring partnerships and vibrant families that often mirror the loyalty and resilience they portray on the show. From long-standing marriages forged in the fires of Hollywood to blended families navigating modern life, the real-life stories of the NCIS Los Angeles cast reveal a tapestry of love, growth, and quiet joys. In this deep dive, we’ll explore the partners and families of the core ensemble, highlighting how these relationships have anchored them through career highs and personal challenges.
Chris O’Donnell: A Hollywood Heartthrob Turned Devoted Family Man
As the enigmatic G. Callen, Chris O’Donnell anchored the NCIS Los Angeles cast with his stoic charm and undercover prowess. The actor, who joined the series in its inaugural season, has been a steady presence both on and off screen. Born in 1970 in Winnetka, Illinois, O’Donnell rose to fame in the 1990s with roles in Scent of a Woman and Batman Forever. But it’s his portrayal of the amnesiac NCIS agent that solidified his status as a TV icon.
O’Donnell’s real-life stability rivals Callen’s unshakeable focus. He has been married to Caroline Fentress since April 19, 1997—a union spanning nearly three decades as of 2025. The couple met in the early 1990s while O’Donnell was filming In Love and War, and their connection was instantaneous. Caroline, an elementary school teacher, has largely stayed out of the spotlight, providing a grounding influence amid O’Donnell’s whirlwind career. “Caroline is my rock,” O’Donnell once shared in an interview, crediting her support for helping him juggle fatherhood and long hours on set.
Together, they have built a bustling family of five children, all now young adults navigating their own paths. Their eldest daughter, Lily Anne, arrived in 1999 and has pursued creative endeavors, much like her father. Sons Christopher Eugene Jr. (born 2000), Charles (2003), and Finley (2005) have dabbled in the entertainment world—Christopher even appeared in a cameo on NCIS: Los Angeles—while daughter Maeve (born 2007) rounds out the brood with her artistic flair. The O’Donnells reside in a sprawling Los Angeles home, where family game nights and hikes in the Hollywood Hills are staples. Despite the demands of starring in NCIS: Los Angeles, O’Donnell prioritized being present; he often brought his kids to set, fostering a sense of normalcy. In a 2015 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, the entire family joined him, beaming as he received his star—a moment that encapsulated their tight-knit dynamic. Today, with his children grown, O’Donnell reflects on fatherhood as his greatest role, far surpassing any script.
LL Cool J: From Rap Legend to Loving Patriarch
Few actors embody the NCIS Los Angeles cast‘s blend of toughness and tenderness like LL Cool J as Special Agent Sam Hanna. The rapper-turned-actor, born James Todd Smith in 1968, brought his charisma and street-smart edge to the role starting in 2009, making Hanna the team’s moral compass and muscle. With a discography boasting platinum albums and films like Deep Blue Sea, LL’s pivot to procedural drama was seamless, earning him a People’s Choice Award nod.
Behind the scenes, LL Cool J’s family life is a testament to enduring love and resilience. He has been married to Simone I. Smith since August 7, 1995—marking 30 years in 2025. The pair met in 1987 at a mall in Queens, New York, when LL was just 19 and on the cusp of stardom. What began as a chance encounter blossomed into a partnership built on mutual support; Simone stood by him through the highs of Grammy wins and the lows of personal tragedies, including a harrowing family incident in his childhood where his father shot his mother and grandfather. Simone, a jewelry designer and philanthropist, even battled bone cancer in 2004, emerging stronger with LL’s unwavering care.
Their family includes four children who reflect the couple’s creative spirit. Eldest son Najee (born 1989) is a behind-the-scenes talent in music production; daughters Italia (1991) and Samaria (1995) have ventured into modeling and advocacy; and youngest Nina (2000) is carving a path as a singer-songwriter. Italia has gifted them three grandchildren, turning LL and Simone into doting grandparents who spoil with family vacations to exotic locales. The Smiths’ New Jersey home is a haven of barbecues and music sessions, where LL often mentors his kids on balancing fame with authenticity. “Family is my foundation,” LL told People in 2025, crediting Simone’s wisdom for their lasting bond. His NCIS: Los Angeles tenure even inspired family cameos and discussions about legacy, proving that Sam’s protective instincts are drawn straight from LL’s playbook.
Daniela Ruah: Love Blossoms On-Set, Off-Screen Ever After
Daniela Ruah’s portrayal of fierce operative Kensi Blye made her a standout in the NCIS Los Angeles cast, evolving from rookie agent to devoted partner over the series run. The Portuguese-American actress, born in 1983 in Boston but raised in Lisbon, infused Kensi with athletic grace and emotional depth, drawing from her own dance background.
Ruah’s real-life romance reads like a rom-com script with an NCIS: Los Angeles twist. She married David Paul Olsen in June 2014 in a sun-drenched ceremony in Portugal’s Sintra region. David, a stunt coordinator and actor, is the older brother of her co-star Eric Christian Olsen—making their union a true family affair. Eric played matchmaker, introducing them during downtime on set in 2011. “Eric kept inviting me to barbecues where David ‘happened’ to be,” Ruah laughed in a 2015 interview. Their interfaith wedding blended Jewish traditions from Ruah’s heritage with Olsen family customs, symbolizing their harmonious blend.
The couple shares two children: son River Isaac (born December 2013, just before their wedding) and daughter Sierra Esther (born 2016). River, now a budding soccer star, and Sierra, with her mother’s heterochromia (one green eye, one brown), fill their Los Angeles home with laughter and adventure. Ruah, an advocate for interfaith families, often shares glimpses of family hikes and beach days on Instagram, emphasizing presence over perfection. Post-NCIS: Los Angeles, she’s directed episodes and starred in Wisdom of the Crowd, but family remains her North Star. “David and the kids are my everything,” she shared in a 2025 Hello! feature, noting how stunt work keeps David close to her world.
Eric Christian Olsen: Brotherly Bonds and a Growing Brood
Eric Christian Olsen’s Marty Deeks brought levity and heart to the NCIS Los Angeles cast, transitioning from LAPD liaison to full-fledged agent with his quick wit. Born in 1977 in Eugene, Oregon, Olsen’s boyish charm shone in films like Dumb and Dumberer before landing his defining role.
Olsen’s family life is as expansive as Deeks’ loyalty. He’s been married to actress Sarah Wright since June 23, 2012, after meeting on the set of The Loop in 2006. Their Wyoming ranch wedding was intimate and rustic, setting the tone for a partnership rooted in adventure. Sarah, known for Parks and Recreation, shares Olsen’s love for the outdoors; they’ve raised their kids amid horseback rides and ski trips.
The couple welcomed four children: son Wyatt Oliver (2013), daughters Esmé Olivia (2016), Winter Story (2020), and the newest addition, Ocean Rain, born June 17, 2025, weighing in at a robust 11 pounds. Ocean’s arrival, announced with a joyful Instagram post, came amid wildfires that briefly threatened their home, underscoring their resilience. The Olsen brood thrives in a chaotic, loving chaos—Wyatt’s into sports, Esmé’s a budding artist, and the girls adore family sing-alongs. Eric’s brother David and sister-in-law Daniela (Ruah) often join for “Olsen clan” gatherings, blending NCIS: Los Angeles colleagues into kin. In a 2025 Parents magazine profile, Olsen gushed about fatherhood: “These kids teach me more than any script ever could.”
Linda Hunt: A Private Union of Decades
Linda Hunt’s Hetty Lange was the enigmatic puppet-master of the NCIS Los Angeles cast, dispensing wisdom with a steely gaze. At 80, the Tony-winning actress (born 1945 in Morristown, New Jersey) brought gravitas from her Oscar-nominated turn in The Year of Living Dangerously.
Hunt’s personal life is elegantly understated. She’s been with partner Karen Kline, a retired psychotherapist, since the late 1970s, marrying in 2008 after California’s same-sex marriage legalization. Their bond, forged in New York theater circles, is one of quiet companionship. The couple shares no children but dotes on three rescue dogs that roam their Los Angeles bungalow. Hunt, openly lesbian since the 1980s, values privacy: “Karen is my haven,” she told The Daily Beast in 2015. Recent rare outings, like a 2025 stroll in LA, show them hand-in-hand, defying age with grace. Hetty’s no-nonsense vibe? Pure Hunt, channeled through a life of intentional love.
Barrett Foa and Renée Felice Smith: Keeping It Close to the Vest
Barrett Foa’s tech whiz Eric Beale added geeky flair to the NCIS Los Angeles cast, while Renée Felice Smith’s Nell Jones evolved into a tactical powerhouse. Foa, 48, came out as gay in 2019 but keeps romances private—no confirmed partner graces public records. He focuses on theater and philanthropy in LA.
Smith, 40, shares a decades-long bond with filmmaker Christopher Gabriel, met in sixth grade. Unmarried and child-free, they collaborate on projects like children’s books, blending creativity with companionship in New York.
Wrapping Up: The Heart Beyond the Badge
The NCIS Los Angeles cast may have solved crimes in sun-soaked LA, but their real triumphs lie in nurturing families that weather storms with grace. From O’Donnell’s quintet to LL Cool J’s grandparent joys, these stories remind us that even agents need a home base. As the franchise endures, so do these bonds—proof that love, like a well-placed stakeout, stands the test of time. (Word count: 1,512)
FAQ
Q: Who is Chris O’Donnell’s wife? A: Chris O’Donnell has been married to Caroline Fentress since 1997; they have five children.
Q: How many kids does LL Cool J have from NCIS: Los Angeles? A: LL Cool J and wife Simone Smith have four children and three grandchildren.
Q: Is Daniela Ruah related to Eric Christian Olsen? A: Yes, by marriage—Daniela is wed to Eric’s brother, David Paul Olsen; they share two kids.
Q: When did Eric Christian Olsen and Sarah Wright get married? A: The couple tied the knot in 2012 and welcomed their fourth child in 2025.
Q: Does Linda Hunt have children? A: No, but she and wife Karen Kline have been together since the 1970s and share three dogs.
Q: Are Barrett Foa and Renée Felice Smith a couple in real life? A: No, Barrett is single and private about his personal life; Renée is in a long-term relationship with Christopher Gabriel.
