Ian Somerhalder
Birthday:
8 December 1978, Covington, Louisiana, USA
Birth Name:
Ian Joseph Somerhalder
Height:
177 cm
Ian Somerhalder was born and raised in the small southern town of Covington, Louisiana. His mother, Edna (née Israel), is a massage therapist, and his father, Robert Somerhalder, is a building contractor. He has Cajun (French), English, and Scots-Irish ancestry. Boating, swimming, fishing and training horses filled much of his recreational time gr...
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Ian Somerhalder was born and raised in the small southern town of Covington, Louisiana. His mother, Edna (née Israel), is a massage therapist, and his father, Robert Somerhalder, is a building contractor. He has Cajun (French), English, and Scots-Irish ancestry. Boating, swimming, fishing and training horses filled much of his recreational time growing up, as did the school drama club and performing with the local theater group. With his mother's encouragement, at age 10, he began a modeling career that took him to New York each summer. By junior high, he opted to put modeling on the back burner and focus more on sports and school. A few years later, when the opportunity to model in Europe arose, Somerhalder grabbed it, embarking on an enriching path of work, travel and study that took him to cities, including Paris, Milan and London. At 17, he began studying acting in New York and, by 19, had committed himself to the craft, working with preeminent acting coach William Esper. His fate was sealed while working as an extra in a club scene in the feature film, Black and White (1999). A talent manager visiting a client on the set spotted Somerhalder in a crowd scene of 400 and immediately signed him for representation. He was cast later for the drama Changing Hearts (2002) directed by Martin Guigui. Happy to be anchored in New York, Somerhalder spends much of his time studying acting, writing and practicing yoga. His recreational interests include water and snow skiing and horseback riding. Show less «
[on his reasons for becoming an actor] "To explore different parts of yourself and different emotional lives....not to hide from who you are...Show more »
[on his reasons for becoming an actor] "To explore different parts of yourself and different emotional lives....not to hide from who you are but to actually explore who you are". Show less «
I have a million acquaintances but just two or three true friends. I can't hide anything from them.
I have a million acquaintances but just two or three true friends. I can't hide anything from them.
I kind of think too much, I try do too many things at once. [on his biggest weakness]
I kind of think too much, I try do too many things at once. [on his biggest weakness]
This program teaches people that it only takes a single unlucky moment to lead to tragedy, if you come into contact with one really f***ed-u...Show more »
This program teaches people that it only takes a single unlucky moment to lead to tragedy, if you come into contact with one really f***ed-up person, they can truly take your life away. [In regards to the Matthew Shepard killing and MTV's Fight for Your Rights: Take a Stand Against Discrimination campaign] Show less «
You can't get anywhere without the people who have come into your life.
You can't get anywhere without the people who have come into your life.
[About his co-star, Maggie Grace] "She's hateable in Lost (2004), but really she's the sweetest, most adorable thing on the planet".
[About his co-star, Maggie Grace] "She's hateable in Lost (2004), but really she's the sweetest, most adorable thing on the planet".
There are always decades that interest people. For me, that's the Roaring Twenties.
There are always decades that interest people. For me, that's the Roaring Twenties.
Love is tested in so many ways. How do I articulate this? Two people are together. There are stakes, strife, struggles, all these things tha...Show more »
Love is tested in so many ways. How do I articulate this? Two people are together. There are stakes, strife, struggles, all these things that make us fall for someone, love someone even more, leave someone. Show less «
I can write with absolutely perfect penmanship with my feet. If I broke both my arms, I could still write a girl a love letter using just my...Show more »
I can write with absolutely perfect penmanship with my feet. If I broke both my arms, I could still write a girl a love letter using just my toes. Show less «
I can't let time move on without fighting tooth and nail and hopefully being a part of a revolution that is positive.
I can't let time move on without fighting tooth and nail and hopefully being a part of a revolution that is positive.
I have the attention span of a mosquito from multitasking and all the things that have affected my poor little brain.
I have the attention span of a mosquito from multitasking and all the things that have affected my poor little brain.
Kids are meeting in coffee shops and basements figuring out what's unsustainable in their communities. That's the future.
Kids are meeting in coffee shops and basements figuring out what's unsustainable in their communities. That's the future.
Before vampires were aesthetically appealing, they were physical anomalies and ostracized outsiders whom we banished to the dark, and they d...Show more »
Before vampires were aesthetically appealing, they were physical anomalies and ostracized outsiders whom we banished to the dark, and they didn't have the appeal that they do now. Show less «
When you're really close to someone, they can make fun of you a lot and get away with it. But they sort of poke you in all of the right plac...Show more »
When you're really close to someone, they can make fun of you a lot and get away with it. But they sort of poke you in all of the right places. Show less «
Every love story needs a catalyst of some sort.
Every love story needs a catalyst of some sort.
Oceans are one of the most important things in the world now and that is a national security threat of the United States of America, to be h...Show more »
Oceans are one of the most important things in the world now and that is a national security threat of the United States of America, to be honest with you. That is why seeing the habitat destroyed is so short-sighted by us. Show less «
We're made up of energy, so who's to say you can't transmit through electrical means? If you could transmit yourself wirelessly, then it's A...Show more »
We're made up of energy, so who's to say you can't transmit through electrical means? If you could transmit yourself wirelessly, then it's Armageddon pretty much. Show less «
I don't care how hot a girl is - if she doesn't like animals, it would be a major, major problem.
I don't care how hot a girl is - if she doesn't like animals, it would be a major, major problem.
They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. It's the same way with women... or at least the ones I want to be with.
They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. It's the same way with women... or at least the ones I want to be with.
Acting is such a huge part of my life. It really allows me to have a creative outlet and to actually be able to have an outlet to discuss op...Show more »
Acting is such a huge part of my life. It really allows me to have a creative outlet and to actually be able to have an outlet to discuss openly the things that truly I think are relevant in the world, that make a difference. Show less «
I kind of think too much, I try to do many things at once.
I kind of think too much, I try to do many things at once.
A lot of things that happen in the world make me a bit crazy.
A lot of things that happen in the world make me a bit crazy.
I work with the Humane Society a lot and have three rescue cats.
I work with the Humane Society a lot and have three rescue cats.
It's so great to show up at work and truly enjoy every word you say.
It's so great to show up at work and truly enjoy every word you say.
I'm not a negative person.
I'm not a negative person.
The coming together of like-minded individuals through action is what's needed to see wide spread change for us, our planet and its creature...Show more »
The coming together of like-minded individuals through action is what's needed to see wide spread change for us, our planet and its creatures. Show less «
I mean, there are some amazing storytelling being done on the small screen right now. That's what so cool about being in television right no...Show more »
I mean, there are some amazing storytelling being done on the small screen right now. That's what so cool about being in television right now. Studios, networks are starting to throw more resources, better writers, more production values... and to be part of that is awesome. Show less «
What we're doing to the planet is inexcusable.
What we're doing to the planet is inexcusable.
I don't want to see blood spewing out but I don't mind it in controlled environment. Does it make me squeamish? No.
I don't want to see blood spewing out but I don't mind it in controlled environment. Does it make me squeamish? No.
My great-grandchildren will not be able to enjoy the Gulf Coast of Louisiana the way I have.
My great-grandchildren will not be able to enjoy the Gulf Coast of Louisiana the way I have.
I appreciate the response and the support of fans, of people who actually don't mind watching me on screen... I just don't ever want to jeop...Show more »
I appreciate the response and the support of fans, of people who actually don't mind watching me on screen... I just don't ever want to jeopardize that. Show less «
I've sorta learned that I'm so tired of taking myself so seriously. It's so great to show up at work and truly enjoy every word you say.
I've sorta learned that I'm so tired of taking myself so seriously. It's so great to show up at work and truly enjoy every word you say.
The most underused, under-appreciated group of people in the world is our youth.
The most underused, under-appreciated group of people in the world is our youth.
I don't know how to do anything else other than be an actor. If I wasn't in this, I would be in alternative energy and conservation.
I don't know how to do anything else other than be an actor. If I wasn't in this, I would be in alternative energy and conservation.
I don't ever want anything to come in the way of me truthfully telling a story.
I don't ever want anything to come in the way of me truthfully telling a story.
Species conservation is beyond a doubt an issue that truly matters to the American public.
Species conservation is beyond a doubt an issue that truly matters to the American public.
The quality of life is so much higher anyplace you can ski in the morning and surf in the evening - there's something to be said for that.
The quality of life is so much higher anyplace you can ski in the morning and surf in the evening - there's something to be said for that.
Maybe one of the only things I do well: I cook like a maniac! I would be a chef if I weren't an actor.
Maybe one of the only things I do well: I cook like a maniac! I would be a chef if I weren't an actor.
I just want to make it clear that I have been working since I was ten years old.
I just want to make it clear that I have been working since I was ten years old.
I'm never running for office. I love being able to speak to members of Congress or members of the Senate and floating on either side, becaus...Show more »
I'm never running for office. I love being able to speak to members of Congress or members of the Senate and floating on either side, because it takes all of us. It's going to take both of them. Show less «
No one knows what women want!
No one knows what women want!
There are certain places in the world that are kind of energy vortexes, which are phenomenal.
There are certain places in the world that are kind of energy vortexes, which are phenomenal.
I'm from New Orleans. There's a lot of vampire mystique and mythology that resonates there, and I was fascinated by it. I always wanted to p...Show more »
I'm from New Orleans. There's a lot of vampire mystique and mythology that resonates there, and I was fascinated by it. I always wanted to play one. Show less «
I've never been on a TV show for more than a season and you have to continually keep it interesting and you have to keep it connected, even ...Show more »
I've never been on a TV show for more than a season and you have to continually keep it interesting and you have to keep it connected, even as you change. Show less «
I never wanted to be one of those actors with a political agenda.
I never wanted to be one of those actors with a political agenda.
I aim to direct as much as I act at some point in time.
I aim to direct as much as I act at some point in time.
I want to bulk up. I'm a skinny guy.
I want to bulk up. I'm a skinny guy.
You spend enough time on set as an actor and it's great when a director was at some point an actor or understands acting. They're able to fi...Show more »
You spend enough time on set as an actor and it's great when a director was at some point an actor or understands acting. They're able to finesse performances out of you that a lot directors can't get. Show less «
I never had any backlash from the model-turned-actor thing.
I never had any backlash from the model-turned-actor thing.
The film business creates a large amount of waste, and I'm not immune to waste in the business.
The film business creates a large amount of waste, and I'm not immune to waste in the business.
Lack of time and money create really bad green practices.
Lack of time and money create really bad green practices.
I'm a good driver.
I'm a good driver.
As an actor, you always think that whatever job you have is going to be your last. In some way, shape or form, you think you're going to scr...Show more »
As an actor, you always think that whatever job you have is going to be your last. In some way, shape or form, you think you're going to screw it up and you're never going to work again. Show less «
I grew up as a country boy.
I grew up as a country boy.
I'm from the gulf coast of Louisiana.
I'm from the gulf coast of Louisiana.
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