Ian Somerhalder

Ian Somerhalder is an actor, director, and entrepreneur. He is well-known for his roles in the TV drama "Lost" and The CW's supernatural drama "The Vampire Diaries." Most recently, Somerhalder has added executive producing to his resume, having produced and starred in "V-Wars" and produced the regenerative agriculture documentary Kiss The Ground for Netflix.

Somerhalder was born and raised in Covington, Louisiana. From the age of 10 to 13, he pursued a modeling career before deciding to follow his passion for acting at 17. In 2002, Somerhalder landed a role in Roger Avary's adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' novel, The Rules of Attraction. However, his breakthrough role came in 2004 when he was cast as Boone Carlyle in the popular TV show "Lost."

In 2009, Somerhalder was cast in the role of Vampire Damon Salvatore in "The Vampire Diaries." The series became a huge success on The CW, receiving positive responses from critics and fans alike. Apart from acting, Somerhalder also launched an ultra-premium Bourbon brand, Brother’s Bond Bourbon, with his "Vampire Diaries" co-star Paul Wesley, which was one of the fastest-selling brands of 2021.

Beyond his acting and entrepreneurial ventures, Somerhalder is devoted to environmental conservation. He was involved in the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling disaster cleanup in 2010 and continues to champion environmental causes through his Ian Somerhalder Foundation, serving as an Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Program. The foundation made a notable donation of $1 million to The Jane Goodall Institute in May 2021.

Somerhalder also advocates for animal welfare, supporting the St. Tammany Humane Society and co-hosting a charity fundraiser for the Society with his "The Vampire Diaries" co-stars Candice Accola and Michael Trevino. He supports the It Gets Better Project, which aims to prevent suicide among LGBT youth. Somerhalder has consistently used his platform to raise awareness about environmental and social issues, embodying his passion for making a positive impact on the world.

In addition to his foundation's work, Somerhalder campaigns for RYOT, a Los Angeles-based media company known for its cause-based, take-action online news source. His career and philanthropic efforts demonstrate his commitment to not only entertaining audiences but also to using his influence to effect meaningful change.