Ian Somerhalder

About

Ian Somerhalder is an acclaimed American actor, model, and director, best known for his roles in television dramas. Born on December 8, 1978, in Covington, Louisiana, Ian kick-started his acting career with a role in the television series "Young Americans" in 2000. He rose to fame as Boone Carlyle in the hit TV series "Lost" before achieving international recognition for his role as Damon Salvatore in the popular vampire series "The Vampire Diaries," which he starred in from 2009 to 2017. Somerhalder has also made a name for himself in the modeling world, where he worked with major companies such as Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, and Gucci. An environmental activist, he established the Ian Somerhalder Foundation in 2010 to educate others about environmental and animal rights issues.

Associated With

Ian Somerhalder is a well-established figure in the entertainment industry, with multiple connections to various entertainers. He gained much prominence through his role on "The Vampire Diaries", where he worked alongside actors like Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley. His on-screen romance with Nina Dobrev extended off-screen as well and they dated for a couple of years before parting ways amicably. He also starred on the TV series "Lost" with Matthew Fox and Evangeline Lilly. Somerhalder has collaborated with other personalities in his environmental endeavors, too. His philanthropic work includes the establishment of the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, which aims at empowering, educating and collaborating with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures. Later, he married Nikki Reed, a fellow actress, and together they have one child. His association and collaborations with various personalities in the industry have greatly contributed to his successful career.

Career Highlights

• 1997: Ian Somerhalder started his acting career by playing the role of I.Q in the TV series "The Big Easy".
• 2000: He gained a significant presence through the role of Paul Denton in the film "The Rules of Attraction."
• 2002-2003: He took on the role of Adam Knight in the hit TV series "Smallville".
• 2004-2007: He gained fame through his role of Boone Carlyle in the widely popular series "Lost", which earned him international recognition.
• 2005: Won Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for "Lost".
• 2010-2017: He played the role of Damon Salvatore in "The Vampire Diaries", a role which made him immensely popular and earned him several awards.
• 2010: Became the winner of the Young Hollywood Awards for the category of Cast to Watch for "The Vampire Diaries".
• 2012, 2013, 2014: Won the Teen Choice Awards for "Choice TV Actor: Fantasy/Sci-Fi" three years in a row for his role in "The Vampire Diaries".
• 2017: Received the Environmental Media Award "EMA Futures Award" for his environmental work through his foundation, the Ian Somerhalder Foundation.
• 2018-Present: Starred in the Netflix series "V Wars" as Dr. Luther Swann.
• 2020: Nominated for the Daytime Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host" for "Planet Rehab with Ian Somerhalder".

Notable Awards

• Ian Somerhalder is an American actor, model, and director who has won several awards throughout his career. These mainly originated from his performances in TV series like 'Lost' and 'The Vampire Diaries'. Some of his notable awards include:
• Young Hollywood Award for Exciting New Face - Male in 2002.
• Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actor - Fantasy/Sci-Fi for The Vampire Diaries in 2010.
• Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actor - Fantasy/Sci-Fi for The Vampire Diaries in 2012.
• Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actor - Fantasy/Sci-Fi for The Vampire Diaries in 2013.
• People's Choice Award for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor in 2014.
• Note: This is a selection of Ian’s career highlights and not a comprehensive list. His charitable work in environmental and animal causes has also earned him numerous accolades.

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Ian Somerhalder Movie/TV Show?

Ian Somerhalder is perhaps most popular for his role in the TV series "The Vampire Diaries." In this hit supernatural show that ran from 2009 to 2017, Somerhalder played the captivating and complex character Damon Salvatore. His portrayal of the alluring but tormented vampire garnered a significant fan base and propelled the show to considerable popularity, earning critical acclaim and high ratings during its eight-season run. "The Vampire Diaries" is widely considered Somerhalder's most significant and recognizable work to date.

How Did Ian Somerhalder Get Famous?

Ian Somerhalder gained fame predominantly through his roles in popular television series. After having smaller roles in various TV shows, he rose to prominence with his portrayal of Boone Carlyle in the hit TV series "Lost," which first aired in 2004. However, his real breakthrough came when he landed the role of Damon Salvatore in "The Vampire Diaries" in 2009. The show ran for eight successful seasons, significantly boosting Somerhalder's career and hugely expanding his fanbase on a global scale. His good looks combined with his strong acting skills endeared him to audiences worldwide and solidified his reputation in the entertainment industry.