When NCIS: Los Angeles premiered in 2009, it delivered plenty of high-octane thrills — undercover missions, high-stakes chases, and intricate cases. But for fans, one of the show’s greatest joys was watching the slow-burn romance between Special Agent Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah) and LAPD Liaison Marty Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen), affectionately known as “Densi.” Their banter, tension, and eventual love story became a cornerstone of the series.
Yet behind the scenes, an equally compelling love story was unfolding — one that was every bit as serendipitous as anything in the script. In a twist that could have been written for prime-time television, Ruah ended up marrying her on-screen partner’s real-life brother, stuntman and actor David Paul Olsen. And yes, Eric Christian Olsen himself played a pivotal role in making it happen.
The Unexpected Meet-Cute: From Action Scenes to Actual Romance
David Paul Olsen wasn’t hired to play a character at first — he was there to make sure others didn’t get hurt. As Eric Christian Olsen’s stunt double, David handled the dangerous sequences that required physical precision, impeccable timing, and, occasionally, the willingness to leap off buildings.
His work brought him onto set regularly, where he and Ruah crossed paths. In the beginning, their conversations were light, professional, and infrequent — the kind of polite exchanges you might expect between a lead actress and a member of the stunt team. Still, a spark quietly existed, though neither acted on it right away.
The Matchmaker Brother: Eric Christian Olsen’s Perfect Setup
If this were an episode of NCIS: LA, Eric Christian Olsen would’ve been the quirky but well-meaning operative pulling strings behind the scenes. In real life, he noticed something others didn’t: the compatibility between his on-screen wife and his real-life brother.
Eric later admitted he played matchmaker in a surprisingly strategic way — talking up each of them to the other, planting the idea that they might just be perfect together. As he told Watch! Magazine, he saw “two of my favorite people who would be amazing together” and simply nudged them in the right direction.
The plan worked. Gradually, the casual conversations between Ruah and David deepened into friendship, and friendship evolved into something more. By 2011, their relationship had shifted from a quiet spark to a steady flame.
From Screen to Reality: Parallels Between ‘Densi’ and Daniela & David
It’s almost poetic that while Kensi and Deeks’ on-screen romance was building momentum, Ruah and David’s real-life relationship was doing the same. Fans watching NCIS: LA in those years saw chemistry between Kensi and Deeks, but many didn’t realize the personal connections making that chemistry so effortless.
David didn’t just stay behind the camera, either. Over the course of the series, he stepped into small acting roles, often as military or law enforcement personnel. One of his most recognizable appearances was as the partner of DEA Agent Talia Del Campo (Mercedes Mason). While the roles were brief, they offered eagle-eyed fans a treat: the thrill of spotting Ruah’s husband in action alongside her co-stars.
The Wedding and Family Life
The couple’s romance became official in 2013 when they got engaged. Less than a year later, in June 2014, they married in a beautiful interfaith ceremony in Portugal — a nod to Ruah’s Portuguese heritage.
By that time, they had already welcomed their first child, River Isaac Ruah Olsen, born in December 2013. Their daughter, Sierra Esther Ruah Olsen, followed in September 2016. Ruah often shares glimpses of their life together on social media, offering fans an intimate look at the grounded, family-focused world she and David have built away from the set.
The On-Set Family Dynamic
One of the most charming aspects of the Ruah-Olsen love story is the extended family it created within NCIS: LA. Not only are Kensi and Deeks married on-screen, but off-screen, Ruah is married to Deeks’ brother. This means Eric Christian Olsen isn’t just her co-star — he’s her brother-in-law, and their children are first cousins.
Cast members have often described the NCIS: LA set as feeling like a family, but for the Olsens and Ruah, it’s quite literal. Holidays, birthdays, and casual weekends are often shared, further blurring the line between work and home life. It’s a rare case where Hollywood colleagues truly are family.
Why Their Story Resonates With Fans
The entertainment industry is full of whirlwind romances, but the Ruah-Olsen relationship stands out because it’s grounded in friendship, trust, and a shared professional world. The fact that their love story was set in motion by a sibling who saw what they couldn’t yet see for themselves only makes it sweeter.
For NCIS: LA fans, it’s a feel-good reminder that while the show gave us thrilling cases and unforgettable characters, it also played an unlikely role in writing a real-life happily-ever-after.
In the end, “Densi” gave us one great love story — but Daniela Ruah and David Paul Olsen gave us another. And thanks to one matchmaking brother, the lines between on-screen chemistry and off-screen connection will forever be delightfully blurred.
