Eric Christian Olsen Opens Up About Fatherhood and Family Life
When NCIS: Los Angeles star Eric Christian Olsen became a father, he had no idea it would turn him into such a “softie.” Now, he’s a devoted husband and father to three children, embracing the joys—and surprises—of parenthood.
Olsen, 44, is best known for his role as Marty Deeks on NCIS: Los Angeles, where he shares the screen with Daniela Ruah, who plays his on-screen wife Kensi and is also his real-life sister-in-law. Before joining the hit CBS series, Olsen appeared in films such as Not Another Teen Movie, Fired Up, and Dumber and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd. Born in Oregon to a Norwegian family, Olsen has lived in Los Angeles for many years.
Life with His Family
Olsen is happily married to Sarah Wright, whom he met on the set of the Fox sitcom The Loop in 2006. The couple tied the knot six years later, in 2012, near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and soon began building their family.
- Wyatt Oliver – welcomed in 2013
- Esme Olivia – born in 2016
- Winter Story – arrived September 15, 2020, weighing 10 pounds, 4 ounces
When Winter was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, Olsen shared a sweet moment on social media, showing Wright breastfeeding their newborn while he smiled in the background with a face mask on. After a brief hospital stay, the family returned home to their older children and their beloved dogs.
The Emotional Side of Fatherhood
Becoming a father for the first time took Olsen by surprise. Reflecting on Wyatt’s birth, he admitted:
“I’ve turned into such a softie. My eyes well up with tears, and I become overjoyed. That’s just not who I am.”
He credits much of his growth to observing and learning from his co-stars and friends. Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J, his NCIS colleagues, have become fatherhood role models, offering advice and guidance whenever Olsen finds himself unsure.
A recent Instagram post perfectly captured his playful side as a dad: after getting his children ready for the day, he captioned a photo, “When dad dresses the bear and fox.”
Admiration for His Wife
Olsen also speaks passionately about Wright, who he describes as fearless, loving, and endlessly inspiring. After the birth of their daughter Esme, he reflected:
“I am in awe of this woman; somehow navigating the most difficult moments with equal parts passion, fearlessness, and all-encompassing love.”
He likens witnessing childbirth to a “whirlwind microcosm of the rest of life’s journey,” noting how profoundly it has shaped his view of life, love, and parenthood.
Balancing Family and Career
While Olsen’s on-screen persona is tough and heroic, his off-screen life tells a different story. A devoted husband and hands-on dad, he embraces every moment with his three daughters, learning from mentors and making sure family always comes first.
From the chaos of getting kids ready in the morning to quiet moments with his wife, Olsen’s journey into fatherhood has transformed him—softened him—and shown the world that even TV’s toughest agents can have the biggest hearts.