When you hear the name Olsen in Hollywood, it’s easy to think of Mary-Kate and Ashley—the iconic twin sisters who took over the world in the 90s with Full House, fashion lines, and a pop culture empire that’s still going strong. But there’s another Olsen in Hollywood who’s carved out a solid name for himself: Eric Christian Olsen, the charming, witty actor best known as Marty Deeks on NCIS: Los Angeles.
With the same last name and similar levels of fame in their respective fields, many fans have wondered for years:
“Is Eric Christian Olsen related to the Olsen Twins?”
The short, simple answer?
No. Not even close.
Breaking Down the Confusion
The Olsen twins—Mary-Kate and Ashley—were born in 1986 in Sherman Oaks, California, and rose to fame in their infancy through their shared role as Michelle Tanner on Full House. Their younger sister is Elizabeth Olsen, now a Marvel megastar in her own right. The three sisters are the children of David and Jarnette Olsen, and their ancestry traces back to Scandinavian roots—specifically Norwegian.
Eric Christian Olsen, on the other hand, was born on May 31, 1977, in Eugene, Oregon, and raised in Bettendorf, Iowa. His parents are Jeanne and Dr. Paul Olsen, with Norwegian heritage as well, which explains the shared surname—but that’s where the similarities end.
“It’s a totally different family, different background, different coast,” one entertainment journalist noted. “Eric isn’t connected to the Olsen twins at all.”
So Who Is Eric Christian Olsen?
Despite the confusion, Eric Christian Olsen is an entertainment powerhouse in his own right. With a background in improv comedy and a breakout role in the teen comedy Not Another Teen Movie, Eric earned lasting fame thanks to his role as Marty Deeks on NCIS: Los Angeles. For 14 seasons, fans loved watching him banter with Kensi Blye (played by Daniela Ruah) while balancing high-stakes cases with his trademark humor.
Off-screen, Eric is married to actress Sarah Wright Olsen, and together they share a beautiful family and co-founded the production company Cloud Nine Productions. His older brother, David Paul Olsen, is a professional stunt performer—and married to his NCIS co-star Daniela Ruah. That makes the Olsens a real-life Hollywood family, but not the one fans often confuse them with.
But… What About Those Wild Rumors?
At various points, the internet has tried to link Eric Christian Olsen to the Olsen twins in bizarre and incorrect ways—some involving completely false bios that claim he was a musician, a novelist, or even a former bandmate of The Cranberries. These myths seem to stem from confusion with other people named Eric Olsen, of which there are many.
No, Eric Christian Olsen was not in The Cranberries, he hasn’t written a book about California wildfires, and he was never in a band called The Virtuosi. These are either complete fabrications or mix-ups with other people who happen to share a common name.
Same Last Name, Separate Spotlight
It’s not uncommon in Hollywood for stars to share surnames with no actual connection—think of Emma Roberts and Julia Roberts (who are related), versus Lily Collins and Phil Collins (who are as well), and then stars like Michael B. Jordan and Michael Jordan (not related).
“There are probably dozens of actors with the last name Olsen,” says a casting director. “It doesn’t mean they’re part of the Olsen dynasty.”
In fact, Olsen is a common Scandinavian surname meaning “son of Ole,” which explains its frequency. So it makes sense that two completely unrelated people—Eric Christian Olsen and the Olsen twins—could each rise to fame without being part of the same Hollywood bloodline.
Final Word: Let’s Give Credit Where It’s Due
Eric Christian Olsen may not be part of the twin-sister fashion empire, but he’s earned his place in Hollywood through grit, charm, and staying power. With more than two decades of steady acting work, a successful production company, and a beloved role on one of TV’s longest-running crime dramas, he doesn’t need a famous family name to shine.
So next time someone asks, “Is Eric Christian Olsen related to the Olsen twins?”
You can say confidently:
“Nope. But he’s Olsen-level talented all on his own.”
