For over two decades, NCIS and its spin-offs have delivered high-stakes investigations, explosive missions, and unforgettable partnerships. But behind the flashing sirens, gunfights, and interrogation rooms, the real stories that make these stars so beloved are far more personal. Away from the cameras, the cast of NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and NCIS: Hawai‘i lead rich family lives filled with love, laughter, and quiet moments that reveal the human side of television’s toughest agents.
Here’s a closer look at the real families behind the franchise’s most iconic faces — from Mark Harmon’s enduring marriage to LL Cool J’s fatherly wisdom and Daniela Ruah’s on-set romance that became a real-life love story.
Mark Harmon: The Patriarch Who Built a Legacy Both On and Off Screen
For fans, Mark Harmon is Leroy Jethro Gibbs — stoic, loyal, and fiercely protective of his team. But at home, Harmon’s defining role is husband and father. Married to actress Pam Dawber since 1987, their union remains one of Hollywood’s most private and enduring love stories.
Together, they’ve raised two sons, Sean and Ty Harmon, both of whom have followed creative paths — with Sean even portraying a young Gibbs in NCIS flashback episodes, a touching passing of the torch that fans still treasure.
Harmon, whose father was famed football player Tom Harmon and mother was 1940s film star Elyse Knox, grew up steeped in both discipline and stardom. But despite his lineage, Harmon’s devotion to privacy sets him apart. As he once told People, “Fame is a byproduct. Family is everything.”
Wilmer Valderrama: A New Chapter of Love and Legacy
Since joining NCIS as Agent Nick Torres in 2016, Wilmer Valderrama has brought both charisma and emotional depth to the role. Off-screen, his greatest adventure began when he met model and environmental advocate Amanda Pacheco.
In 2020, Wilmer announced their engagement with a heartfelt post captioned, “It’s just us now.” A few months later, the couple welcomed their daughter, Nakano Oceana, describing her as their “little miracle.”
Valderrama, who has often spoken about his close bond with his parents and his heritage, embraces fatherhood with pride and purpose. He frequently shares glimpses of family life on Instagram — tender snapshots of a man balancing fame, faith, and fatherhood with grace.
LL Cool J: The Protector with a Heart of Gold
As NCIS: Los Angeles’ Sam Hanna, LL Cool J is the unshakable anchor of the team. In real life, James Todd Smith is equally steady, having been married to Simone I. Smith for nearly 30 years. Their marriage has weathered both triumph and tragedy — including Simone’s successful battle with cancer — and today, they stand as a model of resilience.
Together, they’ve raised four children: Najee, Italia, Samaria, and Nina. While most have chosen paths outside Hollywood, Nina has inherited her father’s artistic flair, launching a career as an R&B singer.
LL Cool J’s social media is a blend of fitness inspiration, spiritual reflection, and fatherly pride. “Family is the foundation,” he often says — and for the man who raps about strength and loyalty, that statement rings truer than ever.
Daniela Ruah: From On-Screen Action to Off-Screen Affection
For Daniela Ruah, love literally found her on set. The actress, who plays Kensi Blye on NCIS: Los Angeles, met her husband, David Olsen, during filming — a stuntman who also happens to be her co-star Eric Christian Olsen’s real-life brother.
Their romance blossomed behind the scenes and led to a 2014 wedding that joined both family and fiction in perfect harmony. Today, Daniela and David share two children — River and Sierra — and often post playful glimpses of their family life from their Los Angeles home or their serene getaways to Portugal.
Despite juggling motherhood and a demanding TV career, Ruah exudes grounded warmth. “Our family is my anchor,” she said in a CBS interview. “Everything else revolves around that.”
Maria Bello: A Modern Love Story
Known for her powerful portrayal of Dr. Jack Sloane, Maria Bello has lived her own evolution of strength and self-discovery. The actress, who shares a son with producer Dan McDermott, publicly came out in 2013, redefining Hollywood’s narrative around love and identity.
Her relationship with Michelin-starred chef Dominique Crenn is as inspiring as it is romantic. The couple announced their engagement in Paris, symbolizing not only commitment but the triumph of authenticity. Together, they’ve become advocates for equality and compassion — values that mirror Bello’s real-life and on-screen grace.
Brian Dietzen: The Quiet Family Man Behind Jimmy Palmer
As NCIS’ beloved Dr. Jimmy Palmer, Brian Dietzen brings empathy and humor to the morgue — and off-screen, that same kindness defines his family life. Married to wife Kelly and a proud father of two, Dietzen prefers to keep his personal world private, occasionally sharing glimpses of their adventures in nature or moments of gratitude.
Despite his low profile, Dietzen often speaks about how fatherhood reshaped his perspective. “It’s easy to get lost in the work,” he once shared, “but my family reminds me of what really matters.”
Chris O’Donnell: The Family Man Behind G. Callen
Unlike his brooding alter ego G. Callen, Chris O’Donnell’s real life is full of laughter and love. Married to Caroline Fentress since 1997, the couple have five children — Lily, Christopher, Charles, Finley, and Maeve — who have all, at one point or another, made cameos on NCIS: Los Angeles.
O’Donnell has spoken about how his family keeps him grounded amid Hollywood chaos. “I come home, and I’m not an actor. I’m just Dad,” he said in an interview.
The O’Donnells’ household is known for its traditions — from Sunday dinners to impromptu family sports matches — proving that, for this action star, real joy comes from the simple moments.
Sean Murray: The Next Generation of the NCIS Family
Sean Murray, who’s played Timothy McGee since the early seasons, has grown up both on the show and within its fanbase. Married to Carrie James, he’s the proud father of Caitlyn and River, and, in a delightful twist, his real-life stepsister Troian Bellisario (of Pretty Little Liars fame) portrayed his sister on NCIS.
For Murray, the show’s family dynamic mirrors his own. “The cast has seen my kids grow up,” he’s said. “It’s not just a workplace — it’s a family.”
The Real NCIS Legacy: Family Beyond the Screen
What unites these stars isn’t just their shared universe of special agents and high-stakes missions — it’s their deep commitment to family. Whether they’re navigating the joys of parenthood, celebrating decades-long marriages, or embracing love in all its forms, the NCIS cast proves that the most powerful stories aren’t scripted.
They’re lived — in the quiet, untelevised moments of connection, resilience, and love that remind us why NCIS has never just been about solving crimes. It’s about the bonds — both on-screen and off — that stand the test of time.
NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and NCIS: Hawai‘i are streaming on Paramount+.
