You know Blake Anderson Hanley’s name, but probably for the wrong reasons. Most people recognize him as Emily Wickersham’s ex-husband—the NCIS actress who played Special Agent Eleanor Bishop. But here’s the thing: Blake’s story goes way deeper than a Hollywood marriage that didn’t work out.
This guy fronted an indie rock band, then switched gears completely and became a family law attorney. He went through a public divorce, rebuilt his life, and found happiness with a visual artist. Now he’s a dad, balancing courtroom work with creative pursuits. That’s not your average celebrity ex-husband trajectory.
Let’s break down who Blake Anderson Hanley really is—beyond the tabloid headlines and the Wikipedia one-liners.
The Palm Beach Kid Who Grew Up Around Sports
Blake Anderson Hanley was born on March 2, 1984, in Palm Beach, Florida. His dad, Daniel Hanley, played Australian rules football for Essendon in the Victorian Football League before moving to the States. Growing up with a pro athlete father gave Blake an interesting cultural mix—American sunshine with Australian grit.
His mom, Denise, and brother, Drew, rounded out the family. Blake’s childhood wasn’t splashed across social media or documented in reality TV. He kept things low-key, which honestly tracks with how he operates today. The guy values privacy, even when the internet wants to know everything about him.
Palm Beach gave Blake a foundation that balanced creativity with ambition. That environment shaped his ability to navigate completely different career paths without losing himself. Most people can’t pull off being both an artist and an attorney. Blake made it look natural.
From Communication Studies to Law School
Blake started his educational journey at Palm Beach State College before moving to Palm Beach Atlantic University. There, he earned a degree in Communication and Media Studies. That background helped him connect with audiences later—whether performing on stage or presenting cases in court.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Blake moved to Los Angeles and enrolled at Southwestern Law School. This wasn’t a backup plan because music didn’t work out. He served as Vice President of the Music Law Society, showing he wanted to understand the legal side of the entertainment industry.
His education became the bridge between two seemingly opposite worlds. The communication skills from his first degree translated perfectly into legal work. Understanding media helped him grasp how contracts, rights, and disputes work in creative industries. Blake didn’t just change careers—he connected them.
Ghost Lion: The Band That Spoke to Outsiders
Blake Anderson Hanley co-founded Kin Cayo with guitarist Enrique Lara in 2016. The band evolved into Ghost Lion, adding keyboardist Chris Kapica and bassist Mike Torres. Their debut EP “Dim Echo” dropped in November 2016, featuring tracks like “Broken Glass,” “Way Up,” and “Wolves.”
Ghost Lion never hit mainstream radio or sold out arenas. But that wasn’t the point. Blake’s songwriting tackled anxiety, faith, loneliness, and the search for meaning. Songs like “Shot the Sun Down” and “Sinking Stones” connected with listeners who appreciated raw honesty over polished pop production.
The band created a welcoming space for everyone. Blake blended different cultural sounds, aiming for unity instead of division. His music became an outlet for self-expression, offering comfort to people navigating their own struggles. That emotional authenticity set Ghost Lion apart in a crowded indie rock scene.
Blake’s ability to translate personal experiences into melody made him more than just a frontman. He became a storyteller who understood that music heals. Even though Ghost Lion didn’t chase commercial success, the band left a lasting impression on its loyal fanbase. That impact matters more than chart positions.
The Shift to Law: Helping Families in Crisis
While Ghost Lion was making music, Blake was building a parallel career in law. He started as a law clerk at the Inner City Law Center in Los Angeles in 2015. That experience exposed him to real people facing real problems—homelessness, eviction, and legal battles they couldn’t afford to fight.
Blake continued at Fine Law PC, focusing on business and legal affairs. His music industry knowledge gave him an edge in understanding contracts, rights, and intellectual property. He also worked as a Business and Legal Affairs Extern at BMG—The New Music Company, merging his two passions seamlessly.
Since June 2023, Blake has worked as a divorce and family law attorney at the Bruce Law Firm. He handles domestic violence cases and helps families navigate separation. His compassion shines through in this work. Blake doesn’t just process paperwork—he actually cares about the outcomes for his clients.
The transition from music to law isn’t as random as it seems. Both require empathy, storytelling, and the ability to advocate for people who need a voice. Blake took the emotional intelligence he developed as a musician and applied it to legal work. That’s a rare combination in family law.
The Emily Wickersham Chapter: Love in the Florida Keys
Blake Anderson Hanley married Emily Wickersham on November 23, 2010. The ceremony happened on Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys, with Blake’s brother Drew officiating. They kept it intimate—150 guests, mostly family and close friends. No paparazzi circus, no magazine exclusives.
Their marriage lasted nearly eight years. Emily was gaining fame on NCIS while Blake pursued his music and legal careers in Los Angeles. They supported each other’s ambitions without making their relationship tabloid fodder. That level of privacy is tough to maintain when you’re connected to a hit TV show.
In 2018, they announced their divorce. The reasons stayed private, which says something about their mutual respect. No public mudslinging, no leaked details, no dramatic Instagram posts. They handled the split with grace, then moved forward with their separate lives.
Blake and Emily didn’t have children together. After the divorce, Blake relocated to Florida following a decade in Los Angeles. He later admitted in an interview that coming home after so long felt odd. He’d gone through heartbreak and needed to rebuild on familiar ground.
Finding Mumbi O’Brien: A Fresh Start
After healing from his divorce, Blake found love with Mumbi O’Brien. She’s a visual artist and costume designer with a Master’s degree in Costume Design from UCLA. Her background in art and film aligned perfectly with Blake’s creative sensibilities. They understood each other’s need for expression.
Mumbi discovered she was pregnant just before traveling to Los Angeles for her master’s program. Their daughter, Muoni, was born on May 2, 2020—right in the middle of the pandemic. The name means “peace,” which perfectly captures what she brought into Blake and Mumbi’s lives during chaotic times.
Blake shares glimpses of his family on Instagram, showing a side of himself that feels genuine and unguarded. He’s not trying to be an influencer or build a brand. He’s just a dad who’s proud of his daughter and grateful for his partner. That authenticity resonates with people tired of curated perfection.
His second marriage represents growth and new beginnings. Blake didn’t let his first marriage’s end define him. He stayed open to love, built a family, and created the life he wanted. That takes courage—especially when you’ve been through a public divorce that people still Google years later.
The Money Talk: Net Worth and Financial Reality
Blake Anderson Hanley’s net worth sits between $800,000 and $1.5 million. That’s a comfortable living, but it’s not “retire at 40” money. His income comes from two sources: music royalties and his legal practice. Balancing passion with practicality has been key to his financial independence.
Music never made Blake rich. Ghost Lion’s earnings came from royalties, live performances, and modest album sales. Indie rock doesn’t print money like pop or hip-hop. But the music gave Blake fulfillment that cash can’t buy. Sometimes that matters more than a fat bank account.
His legal work provides a steady income. Family law attorneys typically earn between $60,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on location and experience. Blake’s position at the Bruce Law Firm keeps him financially stable while letting him help people through difficult transitions. That combination of purpose and profit works for him.
Compared to his ex-wife Emily Wickersham’s estimated $10 million net worth, Blake’s finances look modest. But he’s not competing with anyone. He built a career that reflects his values—helping others, creating meaningful work, and maintaining authenticity. That’s worth more than any Forbes ranking.
Life in 2025: Balancing Fatherhood and Career
Blake Anderson Hanley is 41 now. His daughter Muoni is five years old. He’s still practicing family law at the Bruce Law Firm, still making occasional music, still keeping most of his life private. That consistency is refreshing in an era where everyone broadcasts every moment.
Fatherhood changed Blake’s perspective. He’s talked about how Muoni brings balance and joy to his world. Being a dad grounds him in ways his careers couldn’t. It’s not about achievement anymore—it’s about showing up for the people who matter most.
Blake maintains a presence on Instagram (@blakehansolo) without oversharing. He posts about family, music, and occasional glimpses into his legal work. His feed feels real, not manufactured for engagement. He’s not chasing followers or brand deals. He’s just living his life and sometimes documenting it.
The guy still drives a 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC, which tells you something about his values. He could upgrade to something flashier, but he appreciates the classic car’s history and craftsmanship. That’s Blake in a nutshell—substance over status, meaning over trends.
What Makes Blake’s Story Actually Matter
Blake Anderson Hanley’s journey matters because it’s proof that you don’t have to pick one lane and stay there forever. You can be a musician and a lawyer. You can survive a public divorce and find love again. You can rebuild your life on your own terms without apologizing or explaining yourself to strangers.
His story challenges the idea that changing careers means you failed at your first one. Blake didn’t quit music—he expanded his definition of success. He found another way to help people, another outlet for his empathy and intelligence. That’s evolution, not failure.
Most celebrity ex-spouses fade into obscurity or cling to their famous connection. Blake did neither. He built his own identity separate from Emily Wickersham’s fame. He became someone worth knowing about because of what he’s accomplished, not who he married.
His ability to maintain privacy while living in the public eye is admirable. Blake shares enough to stay connected but guards the sacred parts of his life. In an age of oversharing, that restraint feels almost revolutionary. He proves you can exist online without selling your soul for likes.
Conclusion: More Than Just Emily’s Ex
Blake Anderson Hanley isn’t just a trivia answer or a footnote in Emily Wickersham’s biography. He’s a talented musician who created meaningful art with Ghost Lion. He’s a dedicated attorney helping families through their darkest moments. He’s a husband and father building a life filled with love and purpose.
His dual career path shows that success looks different for everyone. You don’t need mainstream fame or millions of dollars to live a fulfilling life. You need passion, resilience, and the courage to change direction when something isn’t working. Blake embodies all three.
The next time you see Blake Anderson Hanley’s name pop up in a Google search, remember there’s a whole person behind those keywords. A person who makes music that moves people. A person who fights for families in court. A person who rebuilt his life after heartbreak and came out stronger.
That’s the real story worth telling. Not the divorce, not the celebrity connection—the human being who kept showing up, kept creating, and kept believing in second chances. Blake Anderson Hanley did exactly that, and he’s still going.
