
Daniela Ruah brings power, poise, and perfection to NCIS: Los Angeles, and her latest Watch! photo shoot.
Photographer Cliff Lipson captured the CBS veteran for our March-April 2018 issue, and after spending a day with Daniela we can assure you that the woman behind the brilliant Kensi Blye is as thoughtful and kind (and gorgeous) in person as she is on screen.
Check out these stunning photos—including web-exclusive bonus images—plus learn fun facts and interview tidbits about Daniela Ruah.
Stream full episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS All Access.
Primetime perfection
Photography by Cliff Lipson
Fun fact: NCIS: Los Angeles is one of the world's most popular shows (the NCIS spinoff, now in Season 9, is seen in over 200 countries). Daniela Ruah has been part of the series since the very beginning.
Beantown beauty
Photography by Cliff Lipson
Though Daniela Ruah was born in Boston, she spent most of her formative years in her parents' native Portugal.
Stage presence
Photography by Cliff Lipson
Early on, Daniela Ruah made it clear she might be a performer—from putting on shows with her teddy bears for her parents to excelling in dance classes.
"My parents were always very supportive," says Ruah. "They let me be who I was. They would say, 'Whatever you do, just be the best you can be.'"
Act one
Photography by Cliff Lipson
After auditioning to become "Portugal's next sweetheart" in a new telenovela, the 15-year-old Ruah got her first acting break, when she was cast as the sweetheart's best friend.
Never stop learning.
Photography by Cliff Lipson
As Ruah continued to land bigger and better roles on Portuguese telenovelas, she also continued her study of theater and dance at London Metropolitan University.
A star is born.
Photography by Cliff Lipson
At 22, Ruah won the first season of Portugal's version of Dancing with the Stars.
New York hustle
Photography by Cliff Lipson
After moving from Portugal to New York City in 2007, Ruah studied at the Lee Strasberg acting school—and auditioned, auditioned, auditioned.
Big break
Photography by Cliff Lipson
A brief stint with Guiding Light, CBS's iconic daytime drama, led Ruah to a part in the pilot episode of NCIS: Los Angeles.
American dream
Photography by Cliff Lipson
"I came to America with a hope for an amazing future, and it came true." — Daniela Ruah
Messy business
Photography by Cliff Lipson
While special agent Kensi Blye has been kidnapped, terrorized, paralyzed, and put into a coma, the real-life Ruah relates mostly to her character's fabled messiness: "I'm good at closing drawers," she jokes.
Celebrity crush
Photography by Cliff Lipson
Fun fact: Ruah had a teenage crush on NCIS: Los Angeles costar Chris O'Donnell (special agent G. Callen), and even admits to once having an O'Donnell poster on her bedroom wall. She jokes about it with him now.
Long-distance love
Photography by Cliff Lipson
Ruah Skypes with her Portugal-based mom almost every day, and visits her twice a year—the same number of times Ruah's mom visits her in LA: "It's like I'm never gone."
Family ties
Photography by Cliff Lipson
Ruah's stuntman husband David Paul Olsen often body-doubles on NCIS: Los Angeles for his younger brother Eric Christian Olsen—who plays Kensi's fiancé Marty Deeks.
Partners in parenting
Photography by Cliff Lipson
"Dave and I share the philosophy that it's our job to show our kids the world, and then it's theirs to let us know what they love about it, and we'll focus on those things." — Daniela Ruah
Food for thought
Photography by Cliff Lipson
At home in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley, Ruah and her husband make pizza from scratch, and son River helps harvest a variety of veggies from the backyard garden.
Words to win by
Photography by Cliff Lipson
"I'm always competitive. But if I didn't win fair and square, I didn't win." — Daniela Ruah
Daniela Ruah is a wonder woman.
Photography by Cliff Lipson
Stream full episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS All Access.
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