The Sweet Story Behind How Matlock’s Kathy Bates Helped NCIS Star Eric Christian Olsen After He Lost His Home In The LA Fires

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Approximately two months ago, Los Angeles and its vicinity have been battling catastrophic wildfires which left a trail of destruction including numerous homes and entire neighborhoods in ruins. This unfortunate event forced thousands of residents to leave their homes. Among the affected was Eric Christian Olsen, star of NCIS: LA. Fans and fellow stars extended their support to him and his family during this challenging time. Olsen, along with his wife and children, took refuge at his brother’s house after evacuating, and later on, Kathy Bates from Matlock made a heartfelt gesture.

Olsen’s wife, actress Sarah Wright, posted to her Instagram to share the news that they had lost their house in the wildfires. Wright also shared heartbreaking photos from the aftermath. In terms of support, the Olsen family received food, toys, clothes and more from friends and family.

When it comes to Kathy Bates, she works with Eric Christian Olsen on Matlock, as he serves as an executive producer on the series. After winning Best Actress in a Drama Series at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards in February, Bates praised the cast and crew and expressed gratitude for the LAFD for their efforts to put out the fires. She brought up how Olsen lost his home in the Palisades and said that the award was going to be sent to him. Following the ceremony, Olsen expressed his own gratitude to Bates on Instagram:

The peak of these loving acts occurred at the Critics Choice Awards on Friday, a night where Kathy, my Matlock co-star and true business role model, delivered an inspiring acceptance speech. This moment was so uplifting and validating for both life and work that I can hardly find words to describe it. As I watched with my children cuddled close, tears flowed freely down my cheeks. I was completely taken aback by the heartfelt thoughtfulness of my friend in that instant. It felt like a climactic scene from a movie, where the character experiences an unexpected love he hadn’t imagined at the start of his journey.

It appears that the act of kindness shown here is a testament to the strong bond between Matlock’s cast and crew. Although the award itself isn’t direct assistance, it symbolizes unity and compassion towards each other (or colleagues, in this context). The fact that the Academy Award winner has extended their support to Eric Christian Olsen and his family has given him a fresh viewpoint: empathy from them and others who have aided him has made a significant impact.

There’s a common perspective about how we perceive catastrophes: we can either dwell on the disaster itself or focus on those who offered comfort during tough times – family, friends, and even strangers. This outlook encourages us to value relationships more than material possessions. In times of hardship, we invest in human connections, strengthening our bonds with loved ones and discovering unexpected victories through shared struggles. I embrace and cherish all aspects of this experience.

It’s not hard to picture that the former stars of “Celeste and Jesse Forever” and their loved ones are facing some challenges right now, given the circumstances. Naturally, they’ll need to deal with this fresh phase in their lives, especially as Wright is expecting. What makes it heartening though, is seeing Olsen head off to work with people who care about him, and I genuinely wish he continues to feel that warmth and backing. When he eventually establishes a new home with his family, I hope they create a special space for the Critics Choice Award he received from Kathy Bates.

Regarding “Matlock,” it’s been confirmed that the show will continue for Season 2, which means actors like Eric Christian Olsen, Kathy Bates, and others have more tasks ahead. For the present, you can catch new episodes every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on CBS. Additionally, with a Paramount+ subscription, you can stream previously aired episodes.

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2025-03-11 01:09