Before he became beloved for his role as Marty Deeks on NCIS: Los Angeles, Eric Christian Olsen almost took a very different path. Acting wasn’t always the plan — but a mix of curiosity, talent, and a few lucky breaks changed everything.
Olsen first dipped into performing during school productions, quickly discovering a natural ease in front of an audience. What started as a fun outlet soon became a passion. By his late teens, he was landing commercials and small roles, building the confidence to pursue acting full-time.
His early career included a mix of guest spots and film roles, which eventually led to major visibility in projects like Not Another Teen Movie and The Hot Chick. That momentum set the stage for his career-defining role as Deeks on NCIS: Los Angeles, where he became a fan favorite for more than a decade.
Today, Olsen is not only an actor but also a producer and writer — a career that might never have existed if he hadn’t taken a chance on that first audition.
