The Journey of Kensi Blye’s Star from Portuguese Telenovelas to Hollywood Director
Byline: From Portuguese dance floors to American prime time, Daniela Ruah is more than just NCIS: LA’s Kensi Blye — she’s an international talent with a story as dynamic as any on screen.
A Global Beginning
Born in Boston on December 2, 1983, Daniela Sofia Korn Ruah was raised in Portugal from the age of five. The daughter of a Portuguese otologist and ENT surgeon, Ruah grew up in a culturally rich household with Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. She began acting at just 16 in the soap opera Jardins Proibidos and quickly rose through the ranks of Portuguese television. By 18, she moved to London to study performing arts and later honed her craft in New York at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.
Dancing Queen Turned Leading Lady
Ruah’s early career in Portugal saw her not only acting but winning the country’s version of Dancing with the Stars — Dança Comigo. With major roles in Dei-te Quase Tudo and Tu e Eu, she had already become a household name in Portugal before ever landing a U.S. gig.
The Breakout Role: Kensi Blye
In 2009, Ruah was cast as NCIS Special Agent Kensi Blye in NCIS: Los Angeles, starring alongside Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J. Her portrayal of the intelligent, tough, and emotionally complex agent became a fan favorite, spanning all 14 seasons until the show’s finale in 2023. She also made a crossover appearance on Hawaii Five-0 and was nominated for a Teen Choice Award for her work.
Behind the Camera: A New Chapter
Not content with just being in front of the camera, Ruah expanded her creative reach to directing. Between 2021 and 2023, she directed six episodes of NCIS: LA, and in 2024-25, she directed episodes of NCIS, NCIS: Hawaiʻi, and The Equalizer, continuing to prove her versatility in the industry.
More Than an Agent
Ruah’s acting portfolio includes voice work as Merida in the European Portuguese version of Brave, her role in Red Tails, and recent Portuguese projects such as Netflix’s Turn of the Tide and the spy miniseries A Espia. In 2018, she also co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, displaying her charisma on a global stage.
Family Ties & Personal Life
Ruah is married to David Olsen — the brother and stunt double of her NCIS: LA co-star Eric Christian Olsen. The couple married in 2014 and share two children: River Isaac and Sierra Esther. Notably, Ruah has a birthmark in her right eye, a nevus of Ota, which adds to her distinct appearance.
Legacy in the Making
From teen soap star to international actress and respected director, Daniela Ruah’s career is a testament to talent, tenacity, and reinvention. Whether she’s chasing down criminals as Kensi Blye or calling the shots behind the lens, Ruah’s impact on television is undeniable — and still unfolding.
