Eric Christian Olsen is an American actor who has been active in the industry for over 20 years. He has participated in multiple series and movies, so he has managed to make his way in the entertainment medium to reach the trajectory he enjoys today. He also works with charities against cancer and environmental damage.
He is recognized for his roles in projects such as The Loop and Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd. His most recognized performance, which catapulted him to fame, is in NCIS: Los Angeles, where he gives life to Marty Deeks. The series just ended earlier this year. But, these are not the only worthwhile performances of this actor. Below is a list of his best works to date.
10 Community
Community is a sitcom that premiered in 2009 and ran for six seasons. The series was created by Dan Harmon. The plot revolves around Greendale Community College in Colorado, which is a fictional town. Seven local students create a study group to learn Spanish on their own since Professor Chang (who teaches the subject) is a bad educator. The show features pop culture references and meta-humor and won a Primetime Emmy Award.
Olsen plays a neo-hippie student named Vaughn Miller in the first season as a recurring character. He is a laid-back guy, who dated Britta.
9 Cellular
Cellular is an action thriller that was released in 2004. This American production was directed by David R. Ellis, written by Chris Morgan, and was based on a story by Larry Cohen. The story centers on Jessica Martin, a science teacher, who is kidnapped and manages to call a random stranger for help. The man then realizes that the captors are corrupt cops, so a struggle for survival begins.
Olsen brings to life Chad, who is friends with Ryan, the man who tries to help Jessica. Chad helps him search for the missing woman and rescue her.
8 Not Another Teen Movie
Not Another Teen Movie is a film that was released in the United States in 2001. It is a parody of teen movies, which compiles references of several films of this genre from the '80s and '90s, and was directed by Joel Gallen. The plot follows a high school with its typical cliché characters, where Jake, the most popular soccer player, tries to transform Janey, a disheveled artist, into the prom queen.
Eric Christian Olsen plays Austin, who has the stereotypical "stuck-up blond kid." He is Jake's friend and is the one who makes Janey's bet on him.
7 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil
Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil is an animated television series that was created by Sandro Corsaro. This American TV show was broadcast on Disney XD and aired from 2010 to 2012 with two seasons. The plot centers on Kick, who aspires to become the best stunt performer.
Olsen plays Wade, who is a recurring character in the series. He is the manager of Food 'n' Fix and is a friend of Gunther and Kick, lending them support from time to time.
6 The Thing
The Thing is an American film that was released in 2011 and falls into the horror and science fiction genre. It was directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. and written by Eric Heisserer. The plot revolves around a team from an Antarctic research station that discovers a parasitic alien frozen deep in the ice, but they realize too late that it is still alive. The film is also a prequel to the 1982 film of the same name.
Eric Christian Olsen plays Adam Finch, who is one of the scientists working on the station. He is Dr. Sander's assistant and invites Kate to the base. T
5 Get Real
Get Real is a drama and comedy series that premiered in the United States in 1999 on Fox Network. It was created by Clyde Phillips and follows the story of the dysfunctional Green family, which consists of Mitch and Mary, the parents, and Megan, Cameron, and Kenny, their teenage children.
Olsen plays Cameron, who is the middle child. He is described as someone lazy, who always brings girls to the house to sleep with them, which annoys his mother a lot.
4 Fired Up!
Fired Up! is a teen film that was released in the United States in 2009. It was directed by Will Gluck. The story centers on two high school football players, who attend a cheerleading camp during the summer, which is composed of 300 female students.
Olsen plays Nick Brady, who is one of the boys that arrives at the camp. He is described as a popular guy who intends to infiltrate the camp to meet girls. He is friends with Shawn Colfax (Sarah Roemer), the other main character in the story.
3 Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd
Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd is a comedy film that was released in the United States in 2003. It was directed by Troy Miller and is the prequel to 1994's Dumb and Dumber. The plot centers on Harry Dunne and Lloyd Christmas, who are the protagonists of the original film, but this time in their high school years.
Eric Christian Olsen plays Lloyd Christmas, who is one of the main characters. He is taken in by the school janitor after he has been adopted and traded many times in his family. Lloyd meets Harry, who becomes his best friend, and the two begin a treasure hunt.
2 The Loop
The Loop is a sitcom that premiered in 2006. This American production aired on Fox and lasted two seasons, concluding in 2007. The plot revolves around Sam Sullivan, who is a guy trying to balance his social life with his professional life by working for a famous airline.
Olsen plays Sully Sullivan, who is Sam's older brother. Likewise, he is described as someone who is goofy, carefree, and who is also unemployed.
1 NCIS: Los Angeles
NCIS: Los Angeles is an American TV show that premiered in 2009. It aired until May 2023, lasting 14 seasons in total. In addition to that, a couple of spin-offs have come out of the project. The series was created by Shane Brennan and combines elements of military drama and police procedural.
The story centers on an elite team from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which is based in Los Angeles. Within the Special Projects Office, complex situations develop, which involve its members, such as Callen, Nate, Kensi, Dominic, and Hetty, among others.
Olsen plays Marty Deeks, who was a recurring star in Season 1, and a part of the main cast from Seasons 2 to 14. He is an NCIS investigator, and also serves as a liaison with the LAPD, as he is a former LAPD detective. The series is recognized as the best project Eric Christian Olsen has participated in to date.