Daniela Ruah is an American-Portuguese actress and director, best known for playing Special Agent Kensi Blye in the long-running CBS procedural drama NCIS: Los Angeles. With a career spanning over two decades in television, film, and theater, Ruah has established herself as a talented actress both in Portugal and the United States.
In this article, we will explore in-depth details about Daniela Ruah’s age, height, weight, career, net worth, early life, family, relationships, physical appearance, and lesser-known facts.
Daniela Ruah Short Details
| Full Name | Daniela Sofia Korn Ruah Olsen |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Daniela Ruah |
| Profession | Actress, Director |
| Hometown | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| Nationality | American, Portuguese |
| Date of Birth | December 2, 1983 |
| Age (2025) | 41 Years Old |
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 128 lbs (58 kg) |
| Eye Color | Brown (with a nevus birthmark in the right eye) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | David Paul Olsen (m. 2014) |
| Children | 2 (River Isaac Ruah Olsen, Sierra Esther Ruah Olsen) |
Early Life and Career
Early Life & Education
Daniela Ruah was born on December 2, 1983, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Portuguese-Jewish parents. Her mother is an otologist, and her father is an ENT surgeon. Although she was born in the U.S., her family moved back to Portugal when she was five years old, where she was raised and attended St. Julian’s School.
At 16 years old, Ruah made her acting debut in the Portuguese soap opera Jardins Proibidos (Forbidden Gardens). She quickly became a rising star in Portuguese television, winning a celebrity dance competition, Dança Comigo (Portuguese Dancing with the Stars).
Ruah pursued higher education in London, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts from London Metropolitan University. She later moved to New York City in 2007 to study at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.
Acting Career
Portuguese Television & Early Roles
Before gaining international recognition, Daniela Ruah was a well-known actress in Portugal, starring in popular soap operas, short films, and theater productions. Some of her notable Portuguese TV projects include:
- Jardins Proibidos (2000–2001)
- Dei-te Quase Tudo (2005–2006)
- Tu e Eu (2006–2007)
- Dança Comigo (2006) – Winner
- Casos da Vida (2008)
After moving to the U.S. in 2007, Ruah appeared in an episode of Guiding Light (2009) before landing her breakthrough role.
NCIS: Los Angeles (2009–2023)
Ruah’s biggest career milestone came in 2009, when she was cast as Special Agent Kensi Blye in NCIS: Los Angeles. The show, a spin-off of the original NCIS, became a massive success, running for 14 seasons before ending in 2023.
During her time on the show, she also made guest appearances in:
- NCIS (2009) – as Kensi Blye in the two-part pilot
- Hawaii Five-0 (2011) – crossover episode
Recent Work (2023–2025)
Since NCIS: Los Angeles ended, Ruah has shifted her focus toward directing and hosting, including:
- Host of The Traitors Portugal (2023)
- Netflix series Turn of the Tide (2023) – played Fátima
- Directed episodes of NCIS and NCIS: Hawaiʻi (2024)
Family and Relationships
Daniela Ruah is married to David Paul Olsen, a stuntman and the older brother of her NCIS: Los Angeles co-star, Eric Christian Olsen. They got married in an interfaith ceremony in 2014 (David is Lutheran, and Daniela is Jewish).
They have two children:
- River Isaac Ruah Olsen (born December 30, 2013)
- Sierra Esther Ruah Olsen (born September 2016)
| Family Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Father | ENT Surgeon |
| Mother | Otologist |
| Spouse | David Paul Olsen (m. 2014) |
| Children | River Isaac & Sierra Esther |
| Brother-in-Law | Eric Christian Olsen (Actor) |
Physical Appearance
Daniela Ruah is known for her striking eyes, with a unique nevus birthmark in her right eye, which gives it a darker shade than her left eye.
| Height | 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) |
|---|---|
| Weight | Approx. 128 lbs (58 kg) |
| Eye Color | Brown (with a unique nevus birthmark in one eye) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Tattoos | None known |
| Piercings | Ears |
Daniela Ruah Net Worth and Income Sources (2025)
Daniela Ruah has built an impressive career in acting and directing, contributing to her estimated net worth of $8 million in 2025.
| Net Worth (2025) | $8 million |
|---|---|
| Primary Income Sources | Acting, Directing |
| Additional Income Streams | Hosting, Endorsements |
Breakdown of Earnings:
- NCIS: Los Angeles Salary – Ruah earned $100,000+ per episode in later seasons.
- Directing – She has directed multiple episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS, and NCIS: Hawaiʻi.
- Hosting & Endorsements – She co-hosted Eurovision 2018 and The Traitors Portugal.
Lesser-Known Facts About Daniela Ruah
- She has two citizenships – American and Portuguese.
- Her birthmark in her right eye is called a nevus of Ota, making one eye darker than the other.
- She won Dança Comigo (Portugal’s Dancing with the Stars) in 2006.
- She is fluent in English and Portuguese and also speaks some Spanish.
- She is related to a famous Portuguese Jewish hero, Artur Carlos de Barros Basto.
- She directed 6 episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles before moving on to NCIS and NCIS: Hawaiʻi.
- She met her husband, David Paul Olsen, through her co-star Eric Christian Olsen.
- She voiced Merida in the European Portuguese version of Brave.
- She starred in a Portuguese miniseries, A Espia (2020).
- She competed in the 2023 Portuguese Netflix thriller Turn of the Tide.
FAQs About Daniela Ruah
Q: What is Daniela Ruah’s net worth in 2025?
A: Daniela Ruah’s net worth is estimated to be around $8 million.
Q: How old is Daniela Ruah in 2025?
A: She is 41 years old, born on December 2, 1983.
Q: Is Daniela Ruah married?
A: Yes, she is married to stuntman David Paul Olsen.
Q: Does Daniela Ruah have children?
A: Yes, she has two children, River Isaac and Sierra Esther.
Q: What was Daniela Ruah’s most famous role?
A: Special Agent Kensi Blye in NCIS: Los Angeles (2009–2023).
Conclusion
Daniela Ruah has enjoyed an impressive career as an actress, director, and host, becoming a well-known face in both Portugal and the U.S. With her transition into directing and hosting, her influence in the entertainment industry continues to grow.
“NOTE: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify details from reliable sources.”
