When NCIS: Los Angeles aired its final episode in May 2023, it closed the book on Marty Deeks — and opened a new chapter for Eric Christian Olsen. After 14 seasons as the quick-witted, fiercely loyal fan favorite, Olsen proved his career was never meant to stop at one iconic role.
Over two decades in Hollywood, Olsen has quietly reinvented himself — evolving from comedic leading man to respected writer, producer, and emerging executive force in television.
Raised in a family rooted in discipline and service, Olsen credits his parents — an English professor and a hospital chaplain — for instilling values that shaped both his life and career. That drive runs in the family: his brother David Paul Olsen, a former Navy SEAL, went on to become one of Hollywood’s top stunt performers — and famously doubled for Eric on NCIS: LA.
Olsen’s early career leaned heavily into comedy, with breakout roles in Dumb and Dumberer and TV series like The Loop and Brothers & Sisters. But everything changed in 2010 when he joined NCIS: LA as a guest star. His character, Deeks, was only meant to appear once — until instant chemistry with Daniela Ruah and overwhelming fan response turned him into a series regular.
Deeks grew into the emotional heart of the show, with his romance with Kensi becoming one of the franchise’s most beloved storylines. Off-screen, Olsen’s life mirrored that sense of family. He married actress Sarah Wright in 2012, and together they’ve built a grounded, joyful life with their three children. In another real-life twist, Olsen introduced his brother to Ruah — leading to one of television’s rare true-life cast love stories.
As the series progressed, Olsen expanded creatively, co-writing key episodes and helping shape the show behind the scenes. When NCIS: LA ended, he didn’t slow down. Instead, he stepped fully into producing, signing on as an executive producer for CBS’s Matlock reboot starring Kathy Bates — a clear signal of his next act.
Eric Christian Olsen’s story isn’t about leaving Deeks behind — it’s about outgrowing the limits of a single role. Actor, producer, family man, and storyteller, he’s now shaping television from the inside out.