After a remarkable 14-season run, NCIS: Los Angeles has come to a close, leaving fans both excited and nostalgic as they prepare for the series finale. As production wrapped on the final episodes, the stars of the show, including Eric Christian Olsen, who portrayed the beloved Marty Deeks, began reflecting on their time on set. Olsen, in particular, shared a heartfelt farewell to the character he had portrayed for over a decade, and even took home a few personal mementos to remember the iconic role.
Eric Christian Olsen’s Emotional Farewell to Deeks
As NCIS: Los Angeles reached its final days of filming, Eric Christian Olsen admitted that the process of saying goodbye to Deeks was an emotional one. In social media posts and interviews, Olsen described his mixed emotions, expressing both gratitude and sadness as he recalled his journey with the show. “What I said, which is the fulfillment of dreams and that the reason that we chose this business was to come out here and tell stories and we got to do that,” Olsen shared. He went on to reflect on the impressive milestone of completing 324 episodes of the show, emphasizing the significance of having the opportunity to tell such a vast array of stories.
Despite the emotional farewell, Olsen maintained a positive attitude, cherishing the years spent on set and the relationships formed with his co-stars. In fact, he gave a heartfelt speech to his colleagues on his final day of filming, admitting that he was overcome with emotion after his last scene.
The Deeks Memorabilia Olsen Couldn’t Leave Behind
Like many actors who have spent years working on a show, Olsen wanted to take home a few meaningful pieces of memorabilia to remember his time as Deeks. While we don’t know exactly how many items he collected, Olsen did reveal the two key items he could not part with. First, he grabbed a set of Deeks’ iconic dumbbells, a piece of the character’s personality that fans had grown to know and love. Additionally, Olsen also took a jacket that Deeks frequently wore during the show’s run, further cementing his connection to the character as he bid farewell to the long-running role.
These mementos serve as a reminder of the character’s significance in the NCIS: Los Angeles universe, and it’s clear that Olsen has a deep connection to Deeks, even after all these years. His tribute to the character is a testament to the time, effort, and passion that went into bringing the fan-favorite agent to life.
Eric Christian Olsen’s New Look and Future Projects
While saying goodbye to Deeks marked the end of an era for Olsen, the actor has already moved forward with new projects. In the weeks following the NCIS: Los Angeles wrap party, Olsen debuted a fresh, shorter haircut, signaling a new chapter in his career. Speaking to Parade, Olsen admitted that he wasn’t going to miss the long hair Deeks was known for, joking that fans would likely be disappointed with his new look. “Yes, I’m going to cut it. I’m going to cut it short,” Olsen shared. “I know fans are very emotionally invested in that hair, but I’m going to cut it.”
Olsen’s decision to switch up his look may also be tied to his new role as an executive producer on the upcoming Matlock reboot, starring Kathy Bates. Alongside his acting duties, Olsen has also written a few episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles, and although he’s not sure if he’ll be writing for the Matlock reboot, the new project signifies an exciting shift in his career behind the scenes.
A Final Farewell to Deeks
As fans continue to mourn the end of NCIS: Los Angeles, they can take comfort in knowing that Eric Christian Olsen’s departure from the series doesn’t mean the end of his acting career. Whether it’s his new role in Matlock or the possibility of future projects, Olsen is sure to bring the same level of energy and dedication to everything he does. And with the memorabilia he took from the set, it’s clear that Deeks will always have a place in his heart.
