For nearly two decades, NCIS and its spin-offs have captivated audiences with stories of loyalty, justice, and found family. Off-screen, the cast members who bring these characters to life are just as dedicated to their real families — partners, children, and loved ones who cheer them on from beyond the set.
From Mark Harmon’s legacy as TV’s most stoic agent to LL Cool J’s life as a hip-hop dad of four, here’s a look at the adorable (and sometimes surprising) family lives of your favorite NCIS stars.
Mark Harmon: The Patriarch On and Off Screen
Mark Harmon, who anchored NCIS for nearly 20 seasons as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, knows a thing or two about family legacies. The son of football great Tom Harmon and classic Hollywood actress Elyse Knox, Harmon grew up in the spotlight but carved his own path in acting.
Since 1987, he has been married to actress Pam Dawber, best known for Mork & Mindy. Together, they raised two sons, Sean and Ty. Fans may recognize Sean, who portrayed a younger Gibbs in flashbacks — a subtle passing of the torch that delighted longtime viewers.
Wilmer Valderrama: New Dad Energy
Since joining NCIS in 2016 as the charming yet complex Agent Nick Torres, Wilmer Valderrama has become a fan favorite. His off-screen life has been just as eventful. After high-profile relationships with Demi Lovato and Lindsay Lohan, Valderrama found lasting love with model Amanda Pacheco.
The couple announced their engagement in 2020 and welcomed their first daughter in 2021, with Valderrama sharing tender family moments on Instagram. “It’s the role of a lifetime,” he’s said of fatherhood.
LL Cool J: Rap Icon, Action Star, Family Man
James Todd Smith — better known as LL Cool J — has balanced a groundbreaking music career with his starring role as Sam Hanna on NCIS: Los Angeles. Married to Simone Smith since 1995, their marriage has weathered fame, family, and Simone’s battle with cancer.
Together, they have four children: Najee, Italia, Samaria, and Nina. While the older three live more private lives, Nina is stepping into the spotlight as an R&B singer, echoing her father’s artistic path.
Daniela Ruah: Love Found on Set
For Kensi Blye actress Daniela Ruah, family life and NCIS: Los Angeles are deeply intertwined. In 2014, she married David Olsen — not only a stunt double on the series, but also the brother of her co-star, Eric Christian Olsen (Marty Deeks).
Together, Daniela and David have built a family with two children: son River and daughter Sierra. Fans often delight in her social media posts, where she balances the high-stakes world of onscreen firefights with the joys of school drop-offs and family adventures.
Maria Bello: Blending Family and New Love
Maria Bello, who played forensic psychologist Jack Sloane, has always brought depth and resilience to her characters. Off-screen, she’s equally inspiring. She shares a son, Jackson, with former boyfriend Dan McDermott and came out publicly in 2013.
In 2020, she announced her engagement to chef Dominique Crenn while vacationing in Paris — a romantic milestone that showed fans a different side of the actress’s personal journey.
Brian Dietzen: Private but Proud Dad
Brian Dietzen, beloved as Dr. Jimmy Palmer, keeps his private life out of the spotlight. Married to his wife Kelly, he is a proud father of two. While he doesn’t frequently share family updates, fans know that off screen he’s very much the opposite of his often-overwhelmed character — a devoted dad first.
Chris O’Donnell: A Full House of His Own
As G. Callen, Chris O’Donnell often plays a loner. In real life, nothing could be further from the truth. Married to Caroline Fentress since 1997, O’Donnell is a proud father of five — Lily, Christopher, Charles, Finley, and Maeve.
The O’Donnell kids have even joined dad on screen: Maeve and Caroline both cameoed in NCIS: Los Angeles, a true family affair.
Sean Murray: Following Family Footsteps
Sean Murray, who portrays Special Agent Timothy McGee, is also part of a Hollywood family. His stepsister is Pretty Little Liars actress Troian Bellisario — who, in a meta twist, played McGee’s sister on NCIS.
Murray and his wife, Carrie, are raising two children: daughter Caitlyn and son River. Fans love when Murray shares candid glimpses of his home life, proving that while McGee is a dedicated agent, the actor himself is even more dedicated to being a dad.
The NCIS Legacy Lives On
With its mix of action, heart, and chosen family, the NCIS franchise has long been a comfort watch. Knowing that its stars — from Gibbs to Callen, Kensi to Torres — go home to families of their own only makes their onscreen portrayals richer.
Whether it’s Mark Harmon’s real son stepping into Gibbs’ shoes, or Daniela Ruah raising kids with her on-set love story, the world of NCIS reminds us that family — in every sense of the word — is what makes the show endure.
