Hereโs a refined and engaging rewrite of your piece about the NCIS: Los Angeles cast, with a smooth intro and clean structure:
NCIS: Los Angeles โ 5 Surprising Facts About the Stars Behind the Badge
CBS struck TV gold with the NCIS franchise. What began as a spin-off of the legal drama JAG (which aired from 1995 to 2005, starting on NBC) has grown into a powerhouse brand of its own. NCIS: Los Angeles, one of the most successful spin-offs, became a Monday night staple and fan favorite during its long run โ thanks in large part to its charismatic cast.
Here are five things you may not know about the stars of NCIS: Los Angeles:
1. LL Cool J Helped Launch FUBU Into the Spotlight
Before becoming Senior Field Agent Sam Hanna, LL Cool J played a real-life role in helping a friendโs fashion empire take off. He grew up in the same New York neighborhood as Shark Tankโs Daymond John, the founder of FUBU. When John was launching the brand, LL Cool J agreed to wear a FUBU sweatshirt in one of his music videos โ a moment that helped catapult the label into the mainstream.
2. Daniela Ruah Was a Soap Star in Portugal
Before joining the NCIS team as Kensi Blye, Daniela Ruah was a household name in Portuguese television. Between 2001 and 2007, she appeared in four Portuguese soap operas, including Jardins Proibidos (Forbidden Gardens). She also won the Portuguese version of Dancing with the Stars in 2006. Her first U.S. acting credit was on the soap opera Guiding Light.
3. Chris OโDonnell Earned a Marketing Degree While Acting in Hollywood
Chris OโDonnell, who portrayed Special Agent G. Callen, started acting in high school โ even appearing in a McDonaldโs commercial with Michael Jordan early in his career. Despite landing major film roles in Fried Green Tomatoes, Scent of a Woman, and Batman Forever, O’Donnell made education a priority, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Boston College.
4. Linda Huntโs Iconic Voice Has Been Everywhere
As Hetty Lange, Linda Hunt was the wise, mysterious anchor of the LA team. But long before NCIS: Los Angeles, Huntโs distinct voice was a recognizable presence. In the 1990s, she voiced national Tylenol commercials and was also the voice of Grandmother Willow in Disneyโs Pocahontas (1995).
5. Eric Christian Olsen Played Teenagers in His 30s
Eric Christian Olsen joined the series as Marty Deeks in the latter part of Season 1. But before taking on law enforcement, he was best known for portraying over-the-top teen roles in comedies like Not Another Teen Movie, The Hot Chick, and Fired Up! โ where he played a high school football player at age 32.
The Legacy Continues
Though NCIS: Los Angeles has wrapped, the legacy of its characters and actors lives on โ and fans still canโt get enough of the stories behind the stars who brought the elite LA team to life.
Would you like a similar piece for the NCIS or Tony & Ziva cast as well?
