Ian Somerhalder has emerged as one of the most adored and sought-after celebrities in recent years after his portrayal of the mysterious yet alluring vampire Damon Salvatore in the popular television series The Vampire Diaries on The CW propelled him to international fame. However, Somerhalder had dabbled in acting and received his first credited role at 19, long before TVD came in.
Born on Dec. 8, 1978, as the middle child among three siblings, Somerhalder hails from Covington, Louisiana. He got his gifted looks from both his father, who has Cajun ancestry and his mother, who is of half-Choctaw and half-Irish descent. Somerhalder embarked on a modeling career at the age of 10, and by the age of 17, he fixated his mind on pursuing an acting career. His first credited role came in 1997 in the neo-noir romantic thriller series The Big Easy, where he appeared as I.Q. in the episode ‘The Black Bag.’
The 44-year-old actor has captured the attention of viewers worldwide with his mesmerizing presence (and that infectious smile, of course). While most of us only know him as the dashing vampire, Somerhalder has many more brilliant credits to his name. He got his breakthrough role in 2004 with the sci-fi drama Lost and did not look back ever since. Here are the 10 best movies and tv shows that follow Somerhalder’s mesmerizing acting journey.
Young Americans (2000)
Young Americans, a Dawson’s Creek spinoff with a brief run on The WB, gave Somerhalder his first significant television role. The show revolves around a group of teens who attend the exclusive Rawley Academy, which serves as the setting for their journeys. Ian Somerhalder stars as Hamilton Fleming, a student at the school and the son of the dean. His charisma, athleticism, and excellent looks make him the prototypical popular jock. Somerhalder made the most of his first starring role to demonstrate the breadth of his acting abilities by giving Hamilton Fleming a mix of charm, vulnerability, and teenage complexity. Young Americans is a must-watch for all Somerhalder fans to get a glimpse of his charisma and talent in the formative years of his career.
Anatomy of a Hate Crime (2001)
Somerhalder ventured into various roles that spanned multiple genres in his early years. One of his most intense roles came in the made-for-television docudrama Anatomy of a Hate Crime. The movie, which made its television debut on MTV on Dec. 10, 2001, is based on the 1998 murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard, which got widespread media coverage. Somerhalder played the role of Russell Henderson alongside Brendan Fletcher as Aaron McKinney, the two men convicted of the murder. Somerhalder gave the monstrous Henderson a human face, and the role brought him critical acclaim, paving the way for more significant roles to come his way.
The Rules of Attraction (2002)
A year after Anatomy of a Hate Crime, Somerhalder again played the role of a college student in the cult classic film The Rules of Attraction, based on Bret Easton Ellis’s 1987 novel. The plot centers on a love triangle between three Camden College students – a drug dealer, a virgin, and a bisexual classmate. Somerhalder portrayed Paul Denton, the bisexual ex-boyfriend of Shannyn Sossamon’s character Lauren Hynde. He expertly depicted Paul’s inner struggles as he dealt with the difficulties and complexities of self-discovery and desire. The film received mixed reviews from critics but became a minor box-office success regardless.
Lost (2004-2010)
After six years of working in more than 10 different movies and tv shows in both starring and guest capacities, Somerhalder finally got his breakthrough with ABC’s Lost. Somerhalder claimed that working on Lost was “the greatest experience” of “the greatest year of his life” in a 2005 interview with US Weekly. He played the lead role of Boone Carlyle in season 1 of Lost, and after his character died, he guest-starred in seasons 2, 3, and 6. The love he received from critics and fans helped him secure another one-year contract with ABC after leaving Lost. The show was a turning point in Somerhalder’s acting career.
Pulse (2006)
After Lost, Somerhalder’s career was flourishing, and he once more began experimenting with many genres. Somerhalder landed the lead role in Pulse, a 2006 adaptation of Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s 2001 Japanese horror movie Kairo. He played the role of Dexter McCarthy, a computer-savvy and resourceful college student trapped in an otherworldly technological nightmare. Alongside Kristen Bell and Christina Milian, Somerhalder maintained a commanding presence on screen, fully embracing the gloomy and unsettling tone of the movie. Despite the movie’s poor reviews from critics, it was followed by two direct-to-DVD sequels in 2008: Pulse 2: Afterlife and Pulse 3.
Marco Polo (2007)
Somerhalder took a break from playing the roles of teenagers and college students and took up the historical adventure drama film Marco Polo in 2007. He played the titular character of Marco Polo, a Venetian trader who recounts his days as a young man in China to a fellow dying prisoner in Genoa. The made-for-television film allowed Somerhalder to break free of his typical roles and present himself in a new light. He expertly outlined the trip of the actual Marco Polo, from his ascent to the position of governor in Kublai Khan’s court in Mongolia to his successful escape back to Italy. Although neither critics nor viewers thought well of the film, Somerhalder fans might find it interesting to see him in a different setting.
Tell Me You Love Me (2007)
In the same year, Somerhalder appeared in HBO, and The Movie Network’s cable television drama series Tell Me You Love Me. The show focused on three couples, Jamie and Hugo, Katie and David, and Carolyn and Palek, who all faced issues with intimacy in their relationships. Somerhalder appeared in the show in a recurring capacity as Nick in a total of 6 episodes. HBO renewed the program for a second season but eventually terminated it in 2008. Tell Me You Love Me might not be a highlight of Somerhalder’s career, but it proves that he knows how to leave a mark with his performance, even in recurring roles.
Wake (2009)
Somerhalder rarely left any genre out of his acting credits. He added comedy (and secretly, a mystery) to his list with the 2009 rom-com drama Wake and played the role of Tyler, a guy grieving the loss of his fiancée. He delivers a moving and intense performance opposite the female lead Bijou Phillips. The film was the opening night film at the 2009 Cinequest Film Festival and aired on both Showtime and Starz in the U.S. The chemistry between Somerhalder and Phillips was adored by the viewers, and critics lauded the independent film for its emotional openness and sensitivity.
The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)
The biggest hit of Somerhalder’s career came in 2009 when The CW signed him to play the enigmatic anti-hero Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries. The pilot episode attracted the largest audience for The CW of any series premiere and quickly shot to the top of the ratings, and gained a devoted following. It was the most-watched series on the network before Arrow took its place. Damon Salvatore transforms from a malicious, egotistical, and cunning figure to a memorable, complex persona and becomes a fan-favorite character. Somerhalder effortlessly captured Damon’s moody demeanor and alluring charisma and witnessed unmatched popularity after starring in the series for eight years.
V Wars (2019)
After concluding The Vampire Diaries, Somerhalder took on a dual role as an actor and executive producer for Netflix’s science fiction horror streaming television series V Wars. It was based on Jonathan Maberry’s anthology series and comic book of the same name. Somerhalder starred as the lead Dr. Luther Swann, a physician, and scientist drawn into the growing struggle between humans and vampires. Even though his casting and performance riveted the audience, the series received a wildly disparate response. While some referred to it as a thrilling well-paced ride,’ others felt that it was excessively extended to the length of a series. V Wars was ultimately canceled in March 2020 after one season.
After V Wars, Somerhalder took a break from acting and has only appeared in the 2020 documentary series Kiss the Ground since. However, his fame continues to grow, and fans hope to see him on the screens again soon. The actor has been focusing on activism and recently released a trailer for his new documentary about climate issues, titled Common Ground, through his Instagram.
