In a heartfelt and deeply moving moment at PaleyFest LA 2025, NCIS: Los Angeles alum Eric Christian Olsen sat down with HELLO! to reflect on love, loss, and life’s unexpected blessings. While the event was intended to spotlight CBS’ upcoming reboot of Matlock, where Eric made a surprise appearance, it quickly became a more intimate affair when the star opened up about the emotional rollercoaster his family has been on.
Beaming with pride and a new sense of perspective, Eric confirmed that he and his wife, actress and podcast host Sarah Wright Olsen, are expecting their fourth child—a much-needed light following months of unimaginable darkness.
“She’s My Anchor”: Eric on His Partner in Everything
“She’s amazing,” Eric said with a warm smile. “I have the most amazing partner, and I couldn’t be happier to be doing this with her.”
He was speaking of Sarah Wright Olsen, his wife of over a decade and the radiant co-host of the hit podcast Mother Daze, which she runs with longtime friend and fellow actress Teresa Palmer. It was on that podcast that the couple’s baby news first made waves, capturing the hearts of fans around the world.
But what brought Eric to tears wasn’t just their own announcement—it was Sarah’s emotional response when Teresa revealed she, too, was expecting.
“I don’t know if you saw, but Teresa just announced she’s pregnant too,” Eric shared. “And watching Sarah react to Teresa telling her she was pregnant—I was crying watching her cry.”
The moment, raw and unscripted, was captured live during a recording of Mother Daze. The two friends—both glowing, vulnerable, and joyfully tearful—shared their news with listeners in a way that felt as real as family. Eric, listening in from the sidelines, couldn’t hold back his own tears.
A Glimpse of Hope, After the Flames
Their joyful news comes just months after the family faced one of their most heartbreaking life events: the loss of their Malibu home of 13 years in the catastrophic Southern California wildfires earlier this year.
Sarah took to Instagram to share the devastating update in January, posting:
“It’s impossible to put into words these last few days. We are together and safe and surrounded by love. We lost our home. It was one of the first areas to go. Our kids have said, ‘we all took our first steps there.’”
Eric and Sarah, parents to son Wyatt Oliver and daughters Winter Story and Esmé Olivia, found themselves leaning heavily on their community. Friends opened their homes. Strangers offered help. And fans flooded their inboxes with messages of support.
“It’s so hard to say goodbye to our gorgeous town, our special school, and this place we have loved for 13 years,” Sarah wrote. “But we are so grateful we are together.”
Building Again: “The Future Looks Bright”
Despite the devastation, the couple has chosen resilience. Their recent Instagram posts tell a story of rebirth and connection. One features Sarah in a flowing white dress adorned with a black bow, hand gently resting on her growing bump. Another captures Eric seated beside her, cradling her belly with quiet awe.
“BABYYYYYYY it’s been wild today on @themotherdazepodcast,” Sarah wrote in a caption announcing the pregnancy. “So much love in the air.”
For Eric, it’s a powerful reminder of what matters most: “We lost a home, but not our home,” he says. “Sarah, the kids, the love—that’s the real home. And now we’re adding another little soul to it.”
Beyond Hollywood: Life, Love, and the Mother Daze Effect
While Eric may be best known for his role as the quick-witted Marty Deeks on NCIS: LA, he’s spent recent years stepping behind the camera as a producer and devoting more time to family life. Meanwhile, Sarah has carved out her own space with Mother Daze, where she and Teresa speak candidly about motherhood, mental health, and the often hilarious chaos of raising children.
Their honesty has struck a chord with fans, and now, their dual pregnancies have become a shared celebration among listeners.
“It’s more than just a podcast,” says Eric. “It’s this place of healing and joy. And watching Sarah thrive there, even after everything we’ve been through… it’s inspiring.”
What Comes Next
Baby number four is due this summer—and while Eric and Sarah are still navigating the long road of rebuilding their home, their foundation remains rock solid.
“Our kids are learning resilience firsthand,” Sarah noted in a recent update. “They’ve seen what it looks like to lose everything and still laugh, cry, and love through it.”
For Eric, the journey is about being present—for his wife, for his children, and for the life they’re creating together.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the industry, the chaos. But this? This is the real story. This is what I’ll remember forever.”
