Fourteen seasons. That’s a long time to spend with a group of people, even if they’re just on your television screen. When NCIS: Los Angeles finally took its final bow in May 2023, it felt like the end of an era for millions of fans who had spent Sunday nights watching G. Callen and Sam Hanna take down international arms dealers.
But here’s the thing: most people think the cast of ncis los angeles cast was just a static group of actors who showed up, did their thing, and went home. It was way more complicated than that. Behind the scenes, there were car accidents, real-life family connections that would make your head spin, and salary negotiations that would make a Wall Street banker blush.
Honestly, the chemistry you saw on screen wasn't just good acting. It was the result of a decade-plus of people actually liking each other. Well, mostly.
The Heavy Hitters: Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J
You can’t talk about this show without starting with the big two. Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J were the backbone. Period.
Chris O’Donnell played G. Callen, the man with no first name for seven seasons. Can you imagine? Working on a show for nearly a decade before finding out your character’s name is Grisha Aleksandrovich Nikolaev? O’Donnell brought this quiet, brooding energy that perfectly balanced out Sam Hanna’s larger-than-life presence.
Speaking of Sam, LL Cool J wasn’t just "the rapper who acts." He became the soul of the show. His portrayal of an ex-Navy SEAL was so convincing that real vets would often approach him to talk shop.
Money-wise, these two were the kings of the hill. Early on, they were pulling in around $150,000 per episode. By the time the show peaked, they were reportedly hitting $350,000. Each. When you factor in the 20-plus episodes a season, you’re looking at some serious bank.
The "Densi" Dynamic: A Family Affair
If Callen and Sam were the muscle, Kensi Blye and Marty Deeks were the heart. Fans obsessed over "Densi" for years. But there’s a detail about the cast of ncis los angeles cast that still trips people up if they aren’t die-hard fans.
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Daniela Ruah (Kensi) and Eric Christian Olsen (Deeks) played one of the most beloved couples on TV. In real life? They are literally family.
Daniela is married to Eric’s brother, David Paul Olsen.
David actually worked on the show as Eric’s stunt double. Think about that for a second. You’re filming a romantic scene with your brother-in-law while your husband is standing five feet away waiting to jump through a window for him. It sounds like a recipe for a very awkward Thanksgiving, but they actually used it to their advantage. They’ve gone on record saying that because they’re family, there was a level of trust that allowed them to push the comedy and the emotional beats further than most co-stars.
The Mystery of Hetty Lange
Why did Linda Hunt disappear? This is the question that dominated the final seasons.
Linda Hunt’s Henrietta "Hetty" Lange was the tiny, formidable woman who kept the whole operation running. But starting around Season 10, her appearances became... sporadic.
A lot of people assumed she was just retiring or that there was drama. The reality was much more grounded. In 2018, Hunt was involved in a serious car accident. She needed time to recover. Then, just as she was getting back into the swing of things, the world shut down for the pandemic. Because of her age—she was in her late 70s at the time—the production team kept her away from the main set to keep her safe.
She eventually filmed scenes from her own driveway. Talk about dedication. While her character was "on a mission in Syria," Linda was actually just staying safe at home, waiting for the all-clear.
The Supporting Players Who Stuck the Landing
The show went through its fair share of cast changes. We lost Dominic Vail (Adam Jamal Craig) early on, which was a gut-punch. Then there was the tragic passing of Miguel Ferrer, who played Owen Granger. He worked almost until the very end, despite battling cancer, which says everything you need to know about the work ethic on that set.
Later additions like Medalion Rahimi (Fatima Namazi) and Caleb Castille (Devin Rountree) breathed new life into the Office of Special Projects when things were starting to feel a bit "samey."
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And we can't forget Gerald McRaney. Bringing in Admiral Hollace Kilbride was a stroke of genius. He was the grumpy grandfather figure we didn't know we needed, providing a different kind of friction than Hetty’s cryptic guidance.
What happened to everyone after the finale?
Once the show wrapped in 2023, the cast didn't just vanish into the sunset.
LL Cool J jumped right over to NCIS: Hawai'i for a while to keep the Sam Hanna flame alive. Chris O'Donnell has taken some time to focus on his family and real estate investments—the man has a net worth estimated around $25 million, so he’s not exactly hurting for work.
Daniela Ruah has moved behind the camera, directing episodes of the various NCIS spinoffs. She’s proven to be just as talented in the director's chair as she was in front of the lens.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to dive back into the world of the cast of ncis los angeles cast, here is how to do it right:
- Check the Crossovers: Don't just watch the main show. The LA crew showed up in the original NCIS, NCIS: Hawai'i, and even Hawaii Five-0. To get the full story of characters like Sam Hanna, you have to track those episodes down.
- Follow the Directorial Path: If you miss the "vibe" of the show, look for episodes of newer procedurals directed by Daniela Ruah. She brings that same Los Angeles energy to her technical work.
- Look for Sam Hanna’s Return: Since the franchise is still expanding (with shows like NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Tony & Ziva), keep an ear out for casting news. LL Cool J has shown he’s more than willing to pop back into the tactical vest when the story is right.
The legacy of the show isn't just the 300-plus episodes. It’s the fact that a group of actors managed to stay together for over a decade without the typical "creative differences" tearing them apart. That’s the real Hollywood miracle.