Ian Somerhalder

Early life

Somerhalder was born on December 8, 1978, in Covington, Louisiana. His mother, Edna (), is a massage therapist of Choctaw and Irish descent originally from Mississippi, while his father, Robert Somerhalder Sr., is an independent building contractor of Cajun descent. Somerhalder is the second of three children, with an older brother and a younger sister.

Somerhalder graduated from Saint Paul's School, a private school in Covington. He embarked on a modeling career from age 10 to 13. Somerhalder's parents divorced when he was 14, and he subsequently lived with his mother. At age 17, Somerhalder decided to refocus on acting and began studying with acting teacher William Esper.

Career

In the summer of 2000, Somerhalder starred in the short-lived WB series Young Americans, a spin-off of Dawson's Creek. He played Hamilton Fleming, the son of the dean of a prestigious boarding school. In 2002, Somerhalder played bisexual character Paul Denton in Roger Avary's adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' novel, The Rules of Attraction, alongside James Van Der Beek, Shannyn Sossamon, and Jessica Biel.

In 2004, Somerhalder scored his breakthrough role when he played Boone Carlyle in Lost. Despite his character's death in the twentieth episode of the first season, he returned to the role of Boone for seven more episodes between 2005 and 2010, including the series finale. He was the first major character to die. Following his departure from the show, ABC signed him to another one-year contract. In 2005, he stated that being a part of Lost was "the greatest experience" of "the greatest year of his life".

In 2009, Somerhalder appeared in the movie The Tournament where he played the role of an assassin participating in a lethal competition with other assassins. He appears in the coffee table book About Face by celebrity photographer John Russo. Also in 2009, Somerhalder began playing the role of Vampire Damon Salvatore as a series regular in The CW television drama series The Vampire Diaries. The series premiere attracted The CW's highest premiere ratings of any season premiere since the network began in 2006. The series has continued to be the highest-rated series on its channel with both his performance and the show receiving a positive response from critics. He began directing The Vampire Diaries in its third season and produced the series at the start of season 8. He received several Teen Choice Award's and a People's Choice Award for his participation on the series.

Somerhalder acted in the short subject Time Framed (2013). He played Dr. Luther Swann as a series regular in the Netflix science fiction horror series V Wars, which ran from 2019 to 2020.

In 2020, Somerhalder shot footage for and served as an executive producer on the film Kiss the Ground, a documentary centered on regenerative agriculture. He returned as an executive producer on its follow-up documentary, Common Ground, in 2023.

In a 2024 interview, Somerhalder revealed that he had retired from acting after relocating to a farm outside of Los Angeles, though he would still be involved in producing and environmental activism.

Foundations and causes

Somerhalder was involved in the cleanup after the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling disaster on April 22, 2010. His efforts included cleaning of oiled wildlife and taping public service announcements to let the public know how they could help. Somerhalder also supports the St. Tammany Humane Society, an organization for animal shelter and welfare. On November 13, 2010, he hosted a Bash on the Bayou charity fundraiser for the Society. During the event, Somerhalder was presented with a donation of $11,100 by The Vampire Diaries fandom for his birthday project.

Together with his The Vampire Diaries co-stars Candice Accola and Michael Trevino, Somerhalder supports the It Gets Better Project, which makes it a goal to prevent suicide among LGBT youth associated with The Trevor Project. For his second campaign, Somerhalder teamed up with The Vampire Diaries co-star Paul Wesley to release a limited edition shirt designed by a fan, with the words "Blood Brothers Since 1864." This campaign sold almost 10,000 shirts.

On December 8, 2010, Somerhalder's 32nd birthday, he launched the "Ian Somerhalder Foundation" which he hopes will educate people on the importance of protecting the environment and animals: "Instead of gifts this year, my birthday wish is that we come together and raise funds to support projects that protect our habitat and nurture our furry friends." To spread awareness for his foundation, Somerhalder sponsors and often walks in Mardi Paws, a parade and organization held in his hometown of Covington. He opposes GMO foods and factory farming, and supports ecologist Allan Savory in his crusade to let cows graze in sync with nature to enrich soil, enhance biodiversity, and reverse climate change. In 2011, Somerhalder visited Savory in Africa and announced he was making a documentary about him with the goal of winning him a Nobel Prize.

Somerhalder is also a celebrity campaigner for RYOT, a Los Angeles-based media company known for RYOT.org, its cause-based, take action online news source.

Personal life

Somerhalder dated his Vampire Diaries co-star Nina Dobrev from 2010 to 2013. In 2014, he began dating actress Nikki Reed. They married on April 26, 2015, in Malibu, California. They had a daughter in 2017, and a son in 2023.

While working on Lost, Somerhalder and Maggie Grace adopted a feral cat named Roo which that they found "literally dying" in the jungle, and it later became Grace's "travel buddy." Somerhalder stated that being a part of Lost was "the greatest experience" of "the greatest year of his life".

Brother's Bond Bourbon

Somerhalder has remained close friends with his former Vampire Diaries co-star Paul Wesley, and in 2020, they announced the launch of a straight bourbon whiskey named Brother's Bond Bourbon.

Filmography

Film

Television

Web

As director

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. (2021). "Ian Somerhalder: From Bayou Kid to Hollywood Heavyweight".
2. Zuckerman, Blaine. (December 14, 2010). "Ian Somerhalder Spends Birthday 'Naked with a Beautiful Girl'".
3. "Ian Somerhalder Biography".
4. (December 8, 2014). "Ian Somerhalder celebrates turning 36".
5. Pope, John. (April 28, 2015). "Ian Somerhalder weds Nikki Reed, The Hollywood Reporter reports". [[The Times-Picayune]].
6. (April 2, 2010). "Obituary for Margaret Israel Fitzgerald". [[Hattiesburg American]].
7. "Ian Somerhalder".
8. (May 1, 2022). "Ian Somerhalder {{!}} The Best Celebrity Palate {{!}} 1942 Old Timbrook 5-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon".
9. Knutzen, Eirik. (May 25, 2007). "TV Close-Up: Ian Somerhalder". Bend Weekly.
10. (March 12, 2021). "Ian Somerhalder on the Journey to Creating His Own Bourbon".
11. (April 28, 2021). "We drank three rounds with Vampire Diaries stars Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder".
12. Rickman, Amy. (2011). "Blood Brothers: The Biography of The Vampire Diaries' Ian Somerhalder". [[John Blake Publishing]].
13. Cave, Lucy. (October 3, 2012). "Ten Things About... Ian Somerhalder".
14. Chatelain, Kim. (February 14, 2016). "Mardi Paws, Ian Somerhalder parade in Mandeville at 2; big crowd expected". [[The Times-Picayune]].
15. (December 2, 2010). "Ian Somerhalder". [[The Tonight Show]].
16. Kuhn, Sarah. (2012-08-15). "Blood-Sucking Fiend".
17. Pehanick, Maggie. (June 8, 2012). "Ian Somerhalder in The Rules of Attraction".
18. (April 13, 2005). "Is Lost Boy Boone Really Dead?".
19. Ausiello, Michael. (April 5, 2005}}{{dead link). "Today's News: Our Take". [[TV Guide]].
20. "Ian Somerhalder".
21. Williamson, Kevin. (April 27, 2005). "Lost Boy: Actor Faces Life After Death on TV Blockbuster". [[Calgary Sun]].
22. [http://www.pixiepressworldwide.com/Pixie]{{dead link. (June 2016)
23. ''Metro Source LA'' magazine
24. Schneider, Michael. (March 25, 2009). "Somerhalder joins 'Vampire Diaries'". Variety.
25. Rahbar, Sabba. (October 22, 2012). "Ian Somerhalder Kicks Some Major Ass On The Set Of His New Film "Time Framed"". CELEBUZZ!.
26. Andreeva, Nellie. (April 16, 2018). "Netflix Orders Vampire Drama Series 'V-Wars' Based On Book; Ian Somerhalder To Star".
27. Squires, John. (November 19, 2019). "[Trailer] Netflix Unleashes a Vampire Epidemic With New Horror Series "V Wars"". Bloody Disgusting.
28. (March 30, 2020). "Netflix Cancels 'V-Wars' and 'October Faction' After 1 Season".
29. "About".
30. (June 7, 2023). "About".
31. (January 12, 2024). "Why Ian Somerhalder Doesn't Miss Hollywood After Saying Goodbye to Acting".
32. (May 6, 2010). "'Vampire Diaries' Star Ian Somerhalder Comes Home To New Orleans To Help Wildlife Affected By Oil Spill". Abc26.com.
33. Grace Sydney. (October 1, 2010). "Ian Somerhalder Attending St. Tammany Humane Society Fundraiser". DogTipper.com.
34. Shenna P.. (November 16, 2010). "Ian Somerhalder Fans Take NOLA By Storm". Life Not So Fab.
35. [http://vampirediariesonline.com/ian-somerhalder/unleashed-recap-plus-more-on-ian-somerhalders-foundation/ Unleashed Recap Plus More on Ian Somerhalder's Foundation] {{Webarchive. link. (July 17, 2011 (November 17, 2010). Vampire Diaries Online.)
36. (November 15, 2010). "Ian Somerhalder Hosting 'Unleashed: Bash on the Bayou' – Ian Somerhalder". Zimbio.
37. Parker-Pope, Tara. (September 22, 2010). "Showing Gay Teens a Happy Future". [[The New York Times]].
38. "The Trevor Project – It Gets Better!".
39. Corinthios, Aurelie. (July 17, 2015). "Vampire Diaries' Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley Launch Charity T-Shirt Campaign".
40. "Ian Somerhalder & Paul Wesley's Official Tee".
41. "Home".
42. Vee (November 16, 2010). {{usurped
43. (February 27, 2020). "Ian Somerhalder returns home to lead Mardi Paws Dog Parade, now rolling in Covington".
44. "Ian's Update...".
45. (August 9, 2011). "Vampire Diaries' Ian Somerhalder Wants a Nobel Prize".
46. (April 17, 2014). "Ian Somerhalder catches up with RYOT News about "Years of Living Dangerously"".
47. Nudd, Tim. (May 9, 2013). "Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev Split".
48. Jordan, Julie. (January 23, 2015). "Nikki Reed Says She and Ian Somerhalder 'Have Such an Amazing Future Ahead of Us'".
49. Ehrich Dowd, Kathy. (April 27, 2015). "Ian Somerhalder and Nikki Reed Are Married!".
50. Juneau, Jen. (August 10, 2017). "Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder Welcome Daughter Bodhi Soleil".
51. Fisher, Kendall. (August 10, 2017). "Nikki Reed Gives Birth To Baby Girl With Ian Somerhalder". Eonline.com.
52. Blackwelder, Carson (June 29, 2023). "[https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/nikki-reed-welcomes-baby-2-ian-somerhalder-100506661 Nikki Reed welcomes baby No. 2 with Ian Somerhalder, talks home birth]". ''Good Morning America''.
53. (18 October 2006). "Lost in love: TV show's stars hit it off in Hawaii". [[IVillage]].
54. link. (February 9, 2010 ," ''Lost-Media.com''. Retrieved on August 5, 2007.)
55. Williamson, Kevin, (April 27, 2005) "[https://archive.today/20070927004809/http://www.calgarysun.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=94582&x=articles&s=showbiz ''Lost'' Boy: Actor Faces Life After Death on TV Blockbuster]," ''[[Calgary Sun]]''. Retrieved on August 5, 2007.
56. Bain, Ellissa. (May 28, 2020). "Fans go crazy for Brothers Bond Bourbon – how to buy Damon and Stefan's Vampire Diaries inspired whiskey!".
57. Carruthers, Nicola. (2021-07-28). "Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder's Bourbon hits 17 states".
58. Busis, Hillary. (June 3, 2013). "Ian Somerhalder joins big screen thriller".
59. Weaver, Nicole. (January 19, 2021). "Ian Somerhalder Once Revealed His 1 Regret That Led to Him Getting Killed off 'Lost'".
60. Raymond, Charles Nicholas. (January 9, 2022). "Lost: Why Ian Somerhalder's Boone Was The First Major Character To Die".
61. "Ian Somerhalder To Star In Netflix Vampire Drama Series 'V-Wars' Based On Book".
62. (August 26, 2009). "'Vampire Diaries' Prequel Web Series, CW Starts Biting Early". [[Tubefifter]].
63. (December 18, 2014). "'The Vampire Diaries': Ian Somerhalder to Direct Season 6 Episode – TVLine".
64. (March 12, 2015). "'The Vampire Diaries' Star Ian Somerhalder Talks Directing, Damon's Abandonment Issues".
65. (May 14, 2010). "Young Hollywood Award Winners". All Voices.
66. (July 24, 2012). "Teen magic". [[Hindustan Times]].
67. Hilton, Perez. (January 8, 2014). "Ian Somerhalder Beats Out the Competition for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor at the 2014 People's Choice Awards!".
68. "'Veronica Mars' Hits A Neptune High, Wins Top Honors At The mtvU Fandom Awards". MTV News.