Ian Somerhalder reveals why he stepped away from acting after finding success on Lost and The Vampire Diaries

Ian Somerhalder reveals why he stepped away from acting after finding success on Lost and The Vampire Diaries

As I delve into the captivating journey of Ian Somerhalder, I am struck by the profound impact his experiences in the world of entertainment have had on his personal growth and passion for environmental conservation. From his humble beginnings on Lost to the soaring success of Vampire Diaries, it is evident that his career has not only provided him with a global platform but also fueled his dedication to making a difference in the world.


In a recent interview, Ian Somerhalder, who has not appeared in any projects for over five years, shares his reasons behind leaving the entertainment industry.

In a recent conversation with People, the 45-year-old actor and father of two, married to Nikki Reed, looked back on the 20-year milestone of Lost and the 15-year anniversary of The Vampire Diaries.

Since the 2019 Netflix series V-Wars, he hasn’t appeared on screen, but in a recent chat with People, he shared that he’s content and cheerful away from the camera.

Ian Somerhalder has teamed up with pet food brand NUTRO for their Greater Ground project, which promotes sustainable farming methods to produce high-quality pet food from healthier soil.

Apart from that, he’s also taken on the role of an executive producer for documentaries such as “Kiss the Ground” and “Common Ground.” Additionally, he shares his reasons for choosing to stay out of the camera spotlight these days.

Ian Somerhalder reveals why he stepped away from acting after finding success on Lost and The Vampire Diaries

Ian Somerhalder reveals why he stepped away from acting after finding success on Lost and The Vampire Diaries
Ian Somerhalder reveals why he stepped away from acting after finding success on Lost and The Vampire Diaries

Five years ago, on August 19th, I last appeared professionally in front of the camera as an actor/producer,” he clarifies. “Following V-Wars, I chose to focus on establishing these businesses and releasing projects such as Kiss the Ground, Common Ground, and Ground Swell,” he added.

He recalled a conversation with his management where he expressed, “You know, this is the one thing that has always supported my family, and yet I’m choosing to leave it,” he emphasized at a crucial moment. Instead of exploring other opportunities, he valued those partnerships more greatly.

He expresses his sentiments with great modesty and consideration, but makes it clear that he prefers to undertake this task over spending two months in a city working on a TV show, which would keep him separated from his family, or the alternative of shuttling his family to and fro.

After attaining a particular stage, one might find oneself saying, “Now, it’s time for me to concentrate on family, agriculture, food, energy, and broader issues. Pursuing accolades or anything else that boosts my self-esteem is no longer necessary.” He openly acknowledges this.

Currently, I’m fortunate enough to collaborate with individuals who are spearheading projects such as the Greater Ground initiative. This initiative involves them directly supporting and investing in communities of farmers who produce the food we and our pets consume. This is a significant aspect, he notes.

After you’ve gone and done all those elaborate tasks, you eventually come to understand that it’s the fundamental aspects that truly matter,” Somerhalder explains.

Apart from that, he shared insights about one of his initial significant characters – Boone Carlyle, from the TV series Lost on ABC – which premiered 20 years back on the same day.

Somerhalder found it deeply humbling to play Boone, as he was the initial significant character to meet his end on the show.

Ian Somerhalder reveals why he stepped away from acting after finding success on Lost and The Vampire Diaries
Ian Somerhalder reveals why he stepped away from acting after finding success on Lost and The Vampire Diaries
Ian Somerhalder reveals why he stepped away from acting after finding success on Lost and The Vampire Diaries
Ian Somerhalder reveals why he stepped away from acting after finding success on Lost and The Vampire Diaries

He acknowledged that it was hard to accept being the initial cast member to be eliminated and then killed off, but his experience filming in Hawaii sparked his enthusiasm for preserving the environment.

In the year 2004, I had already been actively involved in a significant amount of reef and soil/water conservation efforts. Even in that location, I continued to focus on these causes. He stated, reflecting on his past work, “I was already doing this, but my influence wasn’t as prominent at the time.

In the year 2005, I departed from Lost, an experience that was incredibly humbling for me. Shortly after the start of 2009, I joined The Vampire Diaries on The CW. He described this show as a “rocket ship,” implying a rapid rise in popularity and success.

Originally, the show had an incredibly young viewership, but as time passed, that audience grew older and the viewer base expanded significantly.

In the second, third, and last (or final) season of the TV series Lost, which concluded in 2010, Matthew Fox reappeared.

2009 marked the debut of “The Vampire Diaries,” a series where Ian Somerhalder portrayed Damon Salvatore across its eight-season span, which concluded in 2017.

Initially, both shows were massive successes when they first aired. However, he acknowledged that streaming services significantly transformed the landscape, causing both shows to grow even more popular.

Approximately 1.2 billion individuals worldwide have watched “The Vampire Diaries,” which is nearly one-eighth of Earth’s total population of about 8 billion people. This means that a significant portion of people on our planet have encountered this intellectual property and its storyline.

He stated that they might have encountered it, whether through seeing or hearing about it. Regardless, it’s an exceptional stage unlike any other.

Ian Somerhalder reveals why he stepped away from acting after finding success on Lost and The Vampire Diaries

If you could connect your expertise and enthusiasm about large-scale animal welfare and soil restoration, it would create a significant impact, according to him.

The actor expressed his deep appreciation, saying he felt particularly grateful for having the opportunity to appear in those two successful TV series during his acting career.

He stated that the route leads him to where he truly feels himself, and that’s when he’s wearing cowboy boots, taking care of cattle, and managing horses.

Ian Somerhalder has not only acted in shows like “The Vampire Diaries” and “V-Wars,” but he’s also stepped behind the camera, directing a total of four episodes across these series.

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2024-09-24 02:34

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