The NCIS franchise—including NCIS, NCIS: Hawai’i, and the recently concluded NCIS: Los Angeles—has captured fans’ attention with its compelling plots and on-screen relationships. But off-screen, many of the actors lead equally intriguing personal lives with their real-life partners, some of whom are also in the spotlight. Let’s take a look at the love stories behind the stars.
Eric Christian Olsen and Sarah Wright
On NCIS: Los Angeles, Eric Christian Olsen plays Marty Deeks, who’s married to Kensi Blye. But off-screen, Olsen has been happily married to actress Sarah Wright since 2012. The couple met in 2006 while working on the sitcom The Loop. After five years of dating, they got engaged during a trip to Mexico and later tied the knot in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Sarah is also an actress, known for her roles in The House Bunny alongside Anna Faris and American Made opposite Tom Cruise.
LL Cool J and Simone Smith
LL Cool J, who portrays Sam Hanna, has been with his wife Simone Smith for decades. The pair began dating when LL was still an up-and-coming rapper and got married in 1995 after eight years together.
In 2004, Simone was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and LL stood by her side through a long recovery, including a 15-hour surgery and years of rehabilitation. She has since been in remission. Simone credits their lasting relationship to faith, compromise, and mutual respect, once telling Oprah that their shared spirituality and understanding helped them endure.
Daniela Ruah and David Paul Olsen
In a twist that mirrors her on-screen marriage, NCIS: Los Angeles star Daniela Ruah is married to her co-star’s real-life brother. While Ruah’s character, Kensi Blye, is married to Marty Deeks (played by Eric Christian Olsen), off-screen, she’s married to Eric’s brother, David Paul Olsen.
David, a stunt performer and Eric’s stunt double on the show, played matchmaker for the two. Eric revealed in a 2014 interview that he helped orchestrate their relationship by subtly pointing out each other’s good qualities. The plan worked—Daniela and David wed in June 2014, with Ruah calling it “the best week of my life.”
Chris O’Donnell and Caroline Fentress
Chris O’Donnell, who plays G. Callen, has been married to Caroline Fentress since 1997. They met through Caroline’s brother, who lived in the same apartment building as Chris. Though it took three years before they crossed paths again, their relationship blossomed quickly afterward.
Chris once shared that he couldn’t imagine life without her. Caroline is a teacher by profession but once appeared on NCIS: Los Angeles in season 7, acting alongside her husband.
Vanessa Lachey and Nick Lachey
Vanessa Lachey, the lead on NCIS: Hawai’i, has been married to singer Nick Lachey since 2011. They first connected when Vanessa starred in Nick’s music video for “What’s Left of Me” in 2006, following his divorce from Jessica Simpson.
Although they briefly broke up and dated other people, they ultimately found their way back to each other. The pair exchanged vows in an intimate ceremony on Richard Branson’s private Necker Island with just a few dozen close friends and family.
Alex Tarrant and Luci Hare
Alex Tarrant, who plays Kai Holman in NCIS: Hawai’i, is married to New Zealand actress Luci Hare. Luci has appeared in projects such as Auckward Love, The Cure, and Same But Different: A True New Zealand Love Story. The couple welcomed their son, Beaumont (nicknamed Beau), in 2018.
Tori Anderson and Mitch Myers
Tori Anderson plays Kate Whistler on NCIS: Hawai’i, who is romantically involved with Lucy Tara on-screen. In her personal life, however, she’s married to filmmaker Mitch Myers. The couple began dating in 2010 and tied the knot in January 2018 during a Caribbean ceremony.
Mitch is involved in the creative arts, having met Tori while working on the TV film You May Kiss the Bridesmaid. He’s also acted in and directed several short films, including Help Yourself and Go On and Bleed.
Mark Harmon and Pam Dawber
Longtime NCIS lead Mark Harmon has been married to actress Pam Dawber since 1987. They were introduced through mutual friends and kept their wedding simple, choosing a small, private ceremony.
Pam is best known for her roles in Mork & Mindy and My Sister Sam. She joined her husband on NCIS during seasons 18 and 19, portraying investigative journalist Marcie Warren. Her storyline helped unravel a major plot involving a serial killer and marked the first time the couple worked together on TV.
