Chris O'Donnell on directing "NCIS:LA" and being a family man

(CBS News) Chris O'Donnell plays Special Agent G. Callen on "NCIS: Los Angeles," and now is set to make his directorial debut on the same show on March 5.

"I have a whole new appreciation for how many people work on the show. I mean, it really is -- as an actor, you think it's just the crew that you see on the set every day. Suddenly when you direct, you have your two weeks of pre-production and meeting everyone in the office, that sort of thing," he said. "The post-production which was a great experience, getting to go in and, you know, you see the kind of basic assembly that an editor [has] put together. But being able to tweak the scenes and find the special beats is what was really exciting for me."

"NCIS: Los Angeles" fans know that there is one major mystery facing O'Donnell's character. Special Agent Callen does not know his real name, or what the first letter "G" stands for. O'Donnell hinted that fans might find out next year what Callen's history really is.

O'Donnell also talked to "CBS This Morning" hosts Charlie Rose and Gayle King about being a family man. He has been married to his wife Caroline Fentress, who is his best friend's sister, since he was 26, and the two of them have five children together. He is also one of seven children.

"I never thought I would get married at 26. My dad got married at 35, so I figured I'd go down that road - it sounded like a pretty good program to me," said O'Donnell. "But, I met the right girl, and that really was the deciding factor. Looking back, I think you got to be true yourself and know who you are."

O'Donnell gushed about his wife, calling her "an amazing girl." He said that his parents loved his wife, but were shocked at his decision to get married. "I knew she was the right one, but I also knew this was real life to me," he said.

For Chris O'Donnell's full interview, watch the video in the player above.