The Next Chapter: Where Are The Stars Of NCIS: Los Angeles Now In 2025?
The highly successful NCIS: Los Angeles came to a close in May 2023 after 14 action-packed seasons, leaving a massive void for fans of the Office of Special Projects (OSP) team. As of late 2025, the show's beloved stars—Chris O'Donnell, LL Cool J, Daniela Ruah, and Eric Christian Olsen—have made significant and surprising career pivots, with some remaining in the familiar CBS universe and others launching into entirely new ventures, proving that life after a long-running procedural is just as dynamic as the show itself.
The transition from playing the same character for over a decade is a monumental shift, but the main cast has wasted no time in securing new roles, both in front of and behind the camera. From a major network drama spin-off to executive producing and directorial debuts, this is the definitive, up-to-date look at the current projects, personal lives, and full biographies of the stars who brought Agents G. Callen, Sam Hanna, Kensi Blye, and Marty Deeks to life.
NCIS: Los Angeles Core Cast: Full Biography & Profile
The foundation of NCIS: Los Angeles was built on the chemistry of its core team. Here is a comprehensive look at the actors behind the iconic characters, detailing their backgrounds and careers before they became OSP agents.
- Chris O'Donnell (G. Callen)
- Born: June 26, 1970, in Winnetka, Illinois.
- Notable Pre-NCIS: LA Roles: O'Donnell was a major film star in the 1990s, known for his Oscar-nominated role in Scent of a Woman (1992), and portraying Robin/Dick Grayson in *Batman Forever* (1995) and *Batman & Robin* (1997).
- Career Highlight: Playing the enigmatic Special Agent G. Callen for 14 seasons, a role that defined the second half of his career.
- Personal Life: Married to Caroline Fentress since 1997; they have five children.
- LL Cool J (Sam Hanna)
- Born: James Todd Smith on January 14, 1968, in Bay Shore, New York.
- Notable Pre-NCIS: LA Roles: A legendary hip-hop artist, he was one of the first major acts signed to Def Jam Records. His iconic albums include *Radio* and *Mama Said Knock You Out*. As an actor, he starred in films like *Any Given Sunday* (1999) and *Deep Blue Sea* (1999).
- Career Highlight: His multifaceted career earned him a Kennedy Center Honor in 2017, the first rapper to receive the prestigious award.
- Personal Life: Married to Simone Smith since 1995; they have four children.
- Daniela Ruah (Kensi Blye)
- Born: December 2, 1983, in Boston, Massachusetts.
- Notable Pre-NCIS: LA Roles: Ruah has Jewish-Portuguese heritage and began her career in Portugal, starring in the soap opera *Jardins Proibidos*. She won the Portuguese version of *Dancing with the Stars*.
- Career Highlight: Her portrayal of Special Agent Kensi Blye, which earned her a Portuguese Golden Globe. She is the sister-in-law of her co-star, Eric Christian Olsen.
- Personal Life: Married to David Paul Olsen (Eric Christian Olsen's brother and a stunt double on the show) since 2014; they have two children.
- Eric Christian Olsen (Marty Deeks)
- Born: May 31, 1977, in Eugene, Oregon.
- Notable Pre-NCIS: LA Roles: Known for films like *Not Another Teen Movie* (2001) and *Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd* (2003). He joined *NCIS: LA* in Season 2, becoming one half of the fan-favorite 'Densi' relationship with Kensi Blye.
- Career Highlight: Beyond acting, he is the CEO of his own production company, Cloud Nine Productions, which has a deal with CBS.
- Personal Life: Married to actress Sarah Wright since 2012; they have three children.
- Linda Hunt (Hetty Lange)
- Born: April 2, 1945, in Morristown, New Jersey.
- Career Highlight: Hunt is an Academy Award winner for her role as Billy Kwan in *The Year of Living Dangerously* (1982), making her the first person to win an Oscar for playing a character of the opposite sex.
- Role on NCIS: LA: The iconic Operations Manager Henrietta "Hetty" Lange, a character whose mysterious past was central to the show's mythology.
- Gerald McRaney (Hollace Kilbride)
- Born: August 19, 1947, in Collins, Mississippi.
- Career Highlight: A veteran actor best known for the series *Simon & Simon* and *Major Dad*. He won an Emmy Award for his guest role on *This Is Us*.
- Role on NCIS: LA: Admiral Hollace Kilbride, who eventually took over as the OSP's Operations Manager.
The Major Career Moves: New Shows and Surprising Pivots
The biggest question on every fan's mind after the series finale was where the beloved actors would land next. The answer is a mix of familiar procedural territory and bold new creative directions, highlighting the cast's diverse talents. The final season's ending, which saw Callen and Hanna on a new mission in Morocco and Kensi and Deeks finally getting pregnant, provided a satisfying narrative close, but the actors' real-life careers have opened up new chapters.
The most immediate and high-profile move was made by Chris O'Donnell. The actor, who spent 14 years as G. Callen, has been tapped for a leading role in the forthcoming network drama, 9-1-1: Nashville. This new spinoff, set in the high-stakes world of emergency services, marks his quick return to a major network series, confirming that O'Donnell is far from retiring his television star status.
Meanwhile, LL Cool J, the man behind Sam Hanna, has maintained his connection to the franchise. In a surprise move, he reprised his role as Sam Hanna on *NCIS: Hawaiʻi* as a recurring guest star after the *NCIS: Los Angeles* finale. This crossover was a welcome continuation for fans of the wider *NCIS* universe, demonstrating the character's enduring appeal. Beyond acting, LL Cool J continues to be a powerhouse in the music industry, managing his own brand and legacy as a hip-hop icon, which includes hosting the annual *Rock the Bells* festival.
From Acting to Executive Power: Directing and Producing Success
Two of the show's main stars have opted to shift their focus away from acting to embrace roles behind the camera, showcasing their creative ambition and business acumen—a true sign of topical authority in the industry.
Eric Christian Olsen has made a significant pivot, moving almost entirely into the world of production. He has not taken another major acting role since the finale, instead dedicating his time to his production company, Cloud Nine Productions. Olsen is serving as an executive producer on the highly anticipated reboot of the classic series *Matlock*, starring Kathy Bates. This move solidifies his new career path as a television producer and writer, focusing on developing new content rather than starring in it.
Similarly, Daniela Ruah has been exploring new creative avenues. While she has taken on an acting role in the Netflix thriller *Rabo de Peixe*, which is the streaming giant's second original Portuguese series, her most notable post-*NCIS: LA* work is directorial. Ruah is returning to the *NCIS* universe, not as Agent Kensi Blye, but as a director for an episode of the spin-off series *The Equalizer*. She previously earned her directing stripes on *NCIS: LA*, and this new opportunity highlights her growing reputation as a talented director, keeping her firmly within the CBS family while expanding her skill set.
Updates on Linda Hunt and Gerald McRaney
While the focus is often on the younger agents, the veteran actors who anchored the OSP team have also maintained their presence in the industry.
Linda Hunt, who played the formidable Hetty Lange, had a reduced role in the final seasons due to her age and a minor car accident, but she remains an industry legend. Her distinctive, resonant voice continues to be her career hallmark, and she is known for voice work in animated and film projects, including Lady Proxima in *Solo: A Star Wars Story*.
Gerald McRaney, who stepped into a more prominent role as Admiral Hollace Kilbride, continues his prolific acting career. A highly respected figure in Hollywood, McRaney is a staple in television and film and is an official celebrity spokesperson for the Wounded Warrior Project.
The journey of the *NCIS: Los Angeles* stars post-finale is a fascinating study in career reinvention. From O'Donnell's return to a major network lead to Olsen's shift to the executive suite, the cast has proven that their talent extends far beyond the OSP, ensuring their continued relevance in the ever-evolving landscape of television.
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