2A01:E0A:211:D320:F9B0:3203:B9E1:D306: Personal life

2025-06-23T08:00:53Z

Personal life

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{{Short description|American-Portuguese actress and director}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Portuguese name|Korn|Ruah}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Daniela Ruah
| image = Daniela Ruah - Monte-Carlo Television Festival.jpg
| caption = Ruah at the 2012 [[Monte-Carlo Television Festival]]
| birth_name = Daniela Sofia Korn Ruah
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|12|2}}
| birth_place = [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], US
| citizenship = United States • Portugal
| occupation = {{flatlist|
* Actress
* director
}}
| relatives = {{nowrap|[[Eric Christian Olsen]] (brother-in-law) [[Sarah Wright]] (sister-in-law) [[Artur Carlos de Barros Basto]] (great-granduncle)}}
| years_active = 2000–present
| spouse = {{marriage|David Paul Olsen|2014}}
| children = 2
}}
'''Daniela Sofia Korn Ruah Olsen''' (born December 2, 1983)<ref name=tvg>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/daniela-ruah/297628|title=Daniela Ruah profile|publisher=[[TV Guide|TVGuide.com]]|access-date=July 29, 2016|archive-date=April 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403032020/http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/daniela-ruah/297628|url-status=live}}</ref> is an American-Portuguese actress and film director best known for playing NCIS Special Agent Kensi Blye in the [[CBS]] police procedural series ''[[NCIS: Los Angeles]]''.

==Early life==
Ruah was born in [[Boston]], U.S., to [[Jewish]] parents from [[Portugal]], where her mother is an [[otolaryngology|otologist]] and her father is an [[Otorhinolaryngology|ENT]] surgeon.<ref name="Jewishjournal"/> When Ruah was 5, the family moved back to Portugal,<ref name="Jewishjournal"/> where she attended [[St Julian's School]] and, at 16, began acting in [[telenovelas]].<ref name=esquire>{{cite web |url=http://www.esquire.com/women/women-we-love/daniela-ruah-pictures-0911|title=Daniela Ruah Officially Checks In|date=August 8, 2011|work=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]|first=Julian|last=Sancton|access-date=April 11, 2012|archive-date=June 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617195517/http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/interviews/a10683/daniela-ruah-pictures-0911|url-status=live}}</ref> She won a Portuguese-television dance competition.<ref name="Jewishjournal"/>

Ruah moved to the UK at the age of 18 and earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in performing arts from [[London Metropolitan University]].<ref name=londonmetu>{{cite web|url=http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/news/latest-news/october-2009/hollywood-movie-and-major-la-pilot-for-london-met-graduate.cfm|title=Hollywood movie and major LA pilot for London Met graduate|publisher=[[London Metropolitan University]]|date=October 19, 2009|access-date=February 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024213228/http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/news/latest-news/october-2009/hollywood-movie-and-major-la-pilot-for-london-met-graduate.cfm |archive-date=October 24, 2009 }}</ref> She returned to Portugal where she continued acting, and in 2007 moved to [[New York City]] to study at the [[Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute]].<ref name=londonmetu/>

Ruah stated that she grew up in an environment that was both [[Sephardi Jews|Sephardic]] and [[Ashkenazi Jews|Ashkenazi]];<ref name="Jewishjournal">{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/arts/article/film_fest_celebrates_sephardim|title=Film Fest celebrates Sephardim|work=[[The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles|Jewish Journal]]|first=Evan|last=Henerson|date=November 8, 2012|access-date=March 1, 2015| archive-date=August 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829024959/http://www.jewishjournal.com/arts/article/film_fest_celebrates_sephardim|url-status=dead}}</ref> her father is of Portuguese-Jewish ancestry, and her mother's Jewish roots are in Russia, Ukraine and Portugal.<ref name=interfaith/> She holds Portuguese and American citizenship.

==Career==
Ruah started acting in Portuguese soap operas when she was a teen. She made her acting debut at 16, when she played Sara on the soap opera ''Jardins Proibidos'' ("Forbidden Gardens").<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2079733/ |title=IMDB Daniela Ruah|website=[[IMDb]] | access-date=April 22, 2016}}</ref>

At 18, Ruah moved to [[London]] to attend college. After graduation, she returned to Portugal to pursue her acting career. She was the winner of the celebrity dance competition ''Dança Comigo'' (the Portuguese version of ''[[Dancing with the Stars]]'')<ref name="Jewishjournal"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/29/showbiz/tv/daniela-ruah-ncis-gostin|title=Meet the 'NCIS:LA' star who won 'Dancing' in another country|work=[[CNN]]|first=Nicki|last=Gostin|date=February 29, 2012|access-date=March 9, 2015}}</ref> and got main roles in television series, short films, and theatre.<ref name="UPM">{{cite magazine|url=http://upmagazine-tap.com/en/pt_artigos/daniela-ruah-shoot-for-the-stars|title=Daniela Ruah – Shoot for the stars|magazine=UP Magazine|first=Maria Ana|last=Ventura|date=November 1, 2011|access-date=September 17, 2013|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211145559/http://upmagazine-tap.com/en/pt_artigos/daniela-ruah-shoot-for-the-stars/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2007, she moved to New York to study at the [[Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute]].<ref name="UPM"/>

Ruah starred as Special Agent Kensi Blye in ''[[NCIS: Los Angeles]]'', which first aired on September 22, 2009. In 2011, she portrayed the character in a crossover guest appearance on the series ''[[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2011/09/07/ncis-la-hawaii-5-0-crossover-kensi-blye|title='NCIS: LA' exec producer spills on Kensi's trip to 'Hawaii Five-0', possibility of another crossover|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|first=Sandra|last=Gonzalez|date=September 7, 2011|access-date=September 17, 2013}}</ref>

In 2013, Ruah appeared in [[David Auburn]]'s play ''[[Proof (play)|Proof]]'' at Los Angeles' [[Hayworth Theatre]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-whitmore-family-proof20130508-story.html|title=The Whitmore family will never grow out of this stage|date=May 7, 2013|first=Susan|last=King|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=July 29, 2016|archive-date=December 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207230126/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/may/07/entertainment/la-et-cm-whitmore-family-proof20130508|url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 8, 2018, it was confirmed that Ruah would co-host the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2018]] in [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]] alongside [[Catarina Furtado]], [[Sílvia Alberto]] and [[Filomena Cautela]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Quatro mulheres apresentam Festival Eurovisão da Canção em Lisboa|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/cultura/quatro-mulheres-apresentam-festival-eurovisao-da-cancao-em-lisboa_n1050725|website=RTP Notícias|date=January 8, 2018 |publisher=Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|access-date=January 8, 2018|language=pt}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/hosts-for-eurovision-2018-revealed|title=Here come the girls! Presenters of Eurovision 2018 revealed!|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|website=eurovision.tv|access-date=January 8, 2018}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Ruah has a distinguishable [[birthmark]] in her right eye, called the [[nevus of Ota]].<ref name=esquire/>

Ruah married David Olsen, the older brother and stunt double of Ruah's ''[[NCIS: Los Angeles]]'' co-star [[Eric Christian Olsen]], in an interfaith ceremony on June 19, 2014. Olsen is Lutheran.<ref name=interfaith>{{cite web|url=http://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/popular_culture/NCIS_Daniela_Ruah_Interfaith_Marriage_Motherhood.shtml|title=NCIS: Los Angeles' Daniela Ruah on Interfaith Marriage and Motherhood|website=[[InterfaithFamily.com]]|first=Gerri|last=Miller|date=August 28, 2014|access-date=March 3, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050244/http://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/popular_culture/NCIS_Daniela_Ruah_Interfaith_Marriage_Motherhood.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.enstarz.com/articles/39893/20140619/ncis-la-daniela-ruah-david-olsen-marry-new-photo-from-portugal-wedding-video.htm|title='NCIS: LA' Daniela Ruah & David Olsen Marry|publisher=Enstarz.com|first=Vanessa|last=Frith|date=June 19, 2014|access-date=March 3, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001057/http://www.enstarz.com/articles/39893/20140619/ncis-la-daniela-ruah-david-olsen-marry-new-photo-from-portugal-wedding-video.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=DanielaRuah|number=480502729685860352|title=Just lived the best week of my life; I married my best friend. [...] |first=Daniela |last=Ruah |date=June 21, 2014 |access-date=July 29, 2016 |archive-date=August 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810000221/https://twitter.com/danielaruah/status/480502729685860352 |url-status=live }}</ref> They have a son, River Isaac Ruah Olsen (born December 30, 2013),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/parents/ncis-los-angeles-daniela-ruah-pregnant-expecting-first-child/|title=Baby Boy on the Way for Daniela Ruah|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|location=New York City|first=Monica|last=Rizzo|date=September 16, 2013|access-date=February 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/parents/daniela-ruah-welcomes-son-river-isaac/|title=Daniela Ruah Welcomes Son River Isaac|first1=Sarah|last1=Michaud|first2=Patrick|last2=Gomez|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|location=New York City|date=January 5, 2014|access-date=July 29, 2016}}</ref> and a daughter, Sierra Esther Ruah Olsen (born September 4, 2016).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BKEghGGhctT/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BKEghGGhctT |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title= Apparently she thought Labor Day weekend [...] |first=Daniela|last=Ruah|date=September 7, 2016|website=Instagram| quote= On September 4th we welcomed little Miss Sierra Esther Ruah Olsen!}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://people.com/parents/daniela-ruah-welcomes-daughter-sierra-esther/| title = Daniela Ruah Welcomes Daughter Sierra Esther|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]|location=New York City| first1=Lindsay |last1=Kimble |first2= Sarah |last2=Michaud| date=September 7, 2016|access-date= February 23, 2020}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Acting===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|+ Films
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| rowspan=2|2012
| ''[[Red Tails]]''
| Sofia
|
|-
| ''[[Brave (2012 film)|Brave]]''
| [[Merida (Disney)|Merida]]
| European Portuguese Version Animated Film
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|+ Short Films
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2006
| ''Canaviais''
| Margarida
| Portuguese [[short film]]
|-
| 2008
| ''Blind Confession''
| Woman
|
|-
| rowspan=2|2009
| ''Safe Haven''
| Angela Bowery
|
|-
| ''Midnight Passion''
| Sophie
|
|-
| 2011
| ''Tu & Eu''
| Sophie
| Asians on Film Festival Award for Best Ensemble Cast – Short Film
|-
| 2016
| ''Excuse''
| Brenda
|
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|+ Television
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2000–2001
| ''Jardins Proibidos''
| Sara
| rowspan=2|Main Cast Portuguese [[soap opera]] broadcast by [[Televisão Independente|TVI]]
|-
| rowspan=3|2001
| ''Filha do Mar''
| Constança Valadas
|-
| ''Querida Mãe''
| Zezinha
| Portuguese [[television film]] broadcast by [[Sociedade Independente de Comunicação|SIC]]
|-
| ''Elsa, Uma Mulher Assim''
| Mónica
| Portuguese [[miniseries]] broadcast by [[Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|RTP]] Season 1, Episode 11
|-
| 2004
| ''Inspector Max''
| Verónica Botelho
| Portuguese [[TV series]] broadcast by [[Televisão Independente|TVI]] 1 episode, "Marcas do Passado"
|-
| 2005–2006
| ''Dei-te Quase Tudo''
| Rita Cruz
| Main Cast Portuguese [[soap opera]] broadcast by [[Televisão Independente|TVI]]
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Dancing with the Stars|Dança Comigo]]''
| Herself
| Portuguese version of ''[[Dancing with the Stars]]'' broadcast by [[Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|RTP]] Winner of the first season
|-
| 2006–2007
| ''Tu e Eu''
| Daniela Pinto
| Main Cast Portuguese [[soap opera]] broadcast by [[Televisão Independente|TVI]]
|-
| 2008
| ''Casos da Vida''
| Rita
| Portuguese [[TV series]] broadcast by [[Televisão Independente|TVI]] 1 episode, "Passo em Falso"
|-
| rowspan=2|2009
| ''[[Guiding Light]]''
| Gigi
| Season 1, Episode 15628
|-
| ''[[NCIS (TV series)|NCIS]]''
| rowspan=3|Kensi Blye
| 2 pilot episodes: "[[NCIS (season 6)|Legend]]" She was part of a guest cast including [[Chris O'Donnell]], [[LL Cool J]], [[Barrett Foa]], [[Peter Cambor]] and [[Louise Lombard]]
|-
| 2009–2023
| ''[[NCIS: Los Angeles]]''
| Series regular, 277 episodes [[Golden Globes (Portugal)|Golden Globe Award (Portugal)]] for ''Newcomer of the Year'' TV Action Icon Award 2011 of Celebrity & Stuntwomen's Awards Nominated-''[[Teen Choice Awards|Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Action Actress]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2553497/teen-choice-awards-2010-nominees/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108020424/http://www.mtv.com/news/2553497/teen-choice-awards-2010-nominees/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 8, 2016|title=Teen Choice Awards 2010: First Round Of Nominees Announced|website=MTV|first=Lindsay|last=Soll|date=June 14, 2010|access-date=March 8, 2015}}</ref>
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]''
| Crossover with ''NCIS: Los Angeles'' Episode: "[[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series, season 2)|Ka Hakaka Maika'i]]"
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Eurovision Song Contest 2018]]''
| Herself
| Hostess
|-
|2020
|''[[A Espia]]''
|Maria João Mascarenhas
|Main Cast
Portuguese miniseries broadcast by [[Rádio e Televisão de Portugal|RTP]]
|-
|2023
|[[The Traitors (Dutch TV series)|''The Traitors'']]
|Herself
|Host
|-
|2023
|''[[Turn of the Tide (TV series)|Turn of the Tide]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Rabo de Peize |language=de |work=moviepilot.de |url=https://www.moviepilot.de/serie/turn-of-the-tide |access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref>
|Fátima
|Supporting cast Portuguese thriller series from [[Netflix]]
|}

===Directing===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2021–2023
| ''[[NCIS: Los Angeles]]''
| 6 episodes
|-
| 2022
| ''Contado por Mulheres''
| Portuguese Miniseries
|-
| rowspan=2|2024
| ''[[NCIS (TV series)|NCIS]]''
| Episode: "Left Unsaid"
|-
| ''[[NCIS: Hawaiʻi]]''
| Episode: "The Next Thousand"
|-
| 2025
| ''[[The Equalizer (2021 TV series)|The Equalizer]]''
| Episode: "Deception"
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category inline|Daniela Ruah}}
* {{IMDb name|2079733}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ruah, Daniela}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American Sephardic Jews]]
[[Category:21st-century American Sephardic Jews]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Boston]]
[[Category:Portuguese actresses]]
[[Category:Jewish Portuguese actresses]]
[[Category:Portuguese people of Ukrainian descent]]
[[Category:Portuguese people of Russian descent]]
[[Category:American people of Portuguese-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Russian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:Golden Globes (Portugal) winners]]
[[Category:Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Portuguese Jews]]
[[Category:20th-century Portuguese Jews]]

Daniela Ruah - Revision history

2A01:E0A:211:D320:F9B0:3203:B9E1:D306: Personal life