When Daniela Ruah joined NCIS: Los Angeles back in 2009 as Special Agent Kensi Blye, nobody could have predicted just how much her life would change over the next 14 years. The role turned her into a household name, but behind the scenes, it also helped build her family.
In 2014, Daniela married David Paul Olsen—an NCIS: LA stunt double who happens to be the real-life brother of her on-screen partner, Eric Christian Olsen. That same year, the couple welcomed their son, River. Two years later, over Labor Day weekend in 2016, their daughter Sierra arrived a few weeks ahead of schedule.
While Daniela and David keep their family life relatively private, fans who follow her social media have had the fun of watching Sierra grow up right before their eyes.
Milestones On and Off the Set
Balancing 14-hour filming days with raising toddlers isn’t easy, but Daniela made it look natural. For years, Sierra and River were regular visitors on the Paramount lot. One of the sweetest memories Daniela shared was a photo of toddler Sierra hanging out on the NCIS: LA set between takes—a gentle reminder of how fast those early years go by.
As Sierra moved from preschool into elementary school, Daniela was hitting major milestones of her own. In Season 12, she stepped behind the camera to direct her first episode of the series. Even after NCIS: LA wrapped its final season in 2023, she stayed in the director’s chair across the franchise, helming episodes of both NCIS and NCIS: Hawai’i.
Through every career high, though, school drop-offs and family milestones always came first.
“Hard to Believe She’s Growing Up So Fast”
Whenever Daniela posts an update celebrating birthdays or the end of a school year, the comment section lights up with longtime fans feeling the exact same thing: disbelief at how fast the years went.
From newborn baby pictures on Instagram to photos of a confident young girl tackling sports, school, and outdoor family trips, Sierra’s growth has mirrored the timeline of the show itself. For viewers who watched Kensi Blye week after week, watching Daniela thrive as a hands-on mom has made following her journey all the more rewarding.
As Daniela once put it, parenting comes with plenty of challenges, but having her kids alongside her for the adventure makes every step worth it.
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