The NCIS: LA alum opens up about money struggles, family resilience, and finding new purpose after the 2025 LA wildfires
Eric Christian Olsen has never been one to shy away from humor—even in the face of heartbreak. In an exclusive chat with HELLO! at Paley Fest 2025, the NCIS: Los Angeles star turned Matlock executive producer addressed the loss of his family’s beloved home with both honesty and grace.
“You never know,” Eric joked, when asked whether he’d make a cameo on Matlock, the hit CBS legal drama he now produces.
“My house just burned down and I need the money, so I may have to go back to acting!”
The quip drew laughter, but it comes from a very real place. Earlier this year, Eric, his wife Sarah Wright, and their three children were among thousands displaced by the devastating wildfires that ravaged their Pacific Palisades neighborhood. The blaze consumed their $1.35 million home—one filled with 13 years of memories.
“We All Took Our First Steps There”
Sarah, co-founder of Your Zen Mama and host of the podcast The Mother Daze, shared the emotional news in a vulnerable Instagram post:
“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.’”
“It’s so hard to say goodbye to our gorgeous town, our special school, and this place we have loved for 13 years. But we are so, so grateful we are together and for the outpouring of love.”
A New Chapter Begins
Now, two months after the tragedy, the Olsens are finding their footing again.
“We were living with my brother for a while, and some friends in Santa Barbara, and now we’ve found a new place and we’re doing good,” Eric confirmed.
The family has even more to look forward to: Sarah and Eric are expecting their fourth child, joining Wyatt Oliver (11), Esmé Olivia (8), and Winter Story (4).
Why Matlock Matters
While Olsen has taken a step back from acting in recent years, he’s found renewed passion behind the scenes. His work as executive producer on the Matlock reboot—starring Kathy Bates—is both a career highlight and a personal tribute.
“I used to watch Matlock when I was a kid, with my grandparents,” he shared.
“It’s feel-good television, where it’s just a person in search of the truth.”
Eric fought to preserve the essence of the original show while bringing in a fresh, powerful perspective.
“There was another producer trying to do ‘the granddaughter of Matlock,’ but I said no—it has to be a 70-year-old woman,” he explained.
“One of the main themes is how women become invisible as they age. I watched that happen to both of my grandmothers—and to my mom.”
The Power of Resilience
Despite the loss, Eric Christian Olsen is still smiling, still joking, and still creating. Whether he returns to acting or stays behind the camera, one thing is clear: he’s not going anywhere.
“We’re together, we’re safe, and we’re grateful,” he said.
And in true Deeks fashion, he’s turning personal loss into renewed purpose—with humor, heart, and humanity.
