The actor, once listed among the “Sexiest Guys Ever,” now puts his time into passion projects and business. He also enjoys being more present with his family.
The former Hollywood heartthrob is now in his mid-forties, living a quiet life far from the cameras. He has often looked back on his acting days and the start of his career with honesty and thoughtfulness. Admirers continue to praise his looks, with one fan remarking, he ages like fine wine.
From stepping into fatherhood to turning away from the spotlight and chasing new goals, here’s a closer look at how the star’s life has changed through the years.
2000s
The former actor’s rise began in 2004 when he landed the role of Boone Carlyle on “Lost.” His career reached new heights in 2009 when he was cast as Damon Salvatore in “The Vampire Diaries,” a role that brought him widespread fame.
His success on television continued to be recognized many years later. He marked two major milestones — “The Vampire Diaries” turned 15, and “Lost” reached its 20th anniversary.
He described his work on the ABC show as a “very humbling experience,” in an interview once. His character, Boone, made a strong impression early on, becoming the first major figure to die in season one. Although Boone appeared again in later parts of the series, the star shared that leaving the show early was tough for him.
The TV star admitted being both the first cast and the first written out as a difficult moment to accept. However, his short stay in Hawaii opened new doors, leading him to take part in early conservation efforts focused on reefs, soil, and water.
Though his influence was still small in 2004, his work in the field had already begun. By 2009, his path shifted once again as “The Vampire Diaries” entered the scene, drawing in a youthful audience that steadily grew over time.
As his career moved forward, new technology gave fresh life to his earlier roles. He explained that streaming brought “Lost” and “The Vampire Diaries” to many new viewers, both old and young, around the world.
According to the public figure, “The Vampire Diaries” had reached more than one billion viewers worldwide. With a global population of eight billion, he noted that about one in every eight people had come across the story — whether they watched it, heard of it, or saw something related to it.
Following his comments on the show’s reach, the Louisiana native shared thoughts from another interview about his past work experiences. He explained that any changes he would make were small and mostly related to the business side of things, adding:
“The meat of it all, I don’t think I would really change anything other than maybe with ‘Lost.’ I maybe complained about craft service or something, showed up late twice, actually really late once. I was so tired from the night before, I slept through my alarms. That’s about as far as I can go.”
Though the celebrity noted only a few things he might have done differently, his appreciation for the past remains clear. He shared how thankful he is for the roles that helped bring his work to people around the world.
Even though it feels like those days were just yesterday, they also seem like they happened a lifetime ago for him. The star further expressed:
“I feel such enormous gratitude for this piece of IP and the journey and the character and all the writing both from ‘Lost’ and from ‘Vampire Diaries.”
2010s
In 2019, Ian Somerhalder, then 41, took on a new challenge with the Netflix series “V Wars,” based on the graphic novel of the same name. This time, he played Dr. Luther Swann, a scientist facing a global crisis after a dangerous virus turns his best friend into a human-hunting predator.
The star described the role as that of a “superhero dad,” bringing a new kind of strength to the screen. When asked why he chose to take on another vampire story, Somerhalder said the choice came after careful talks with his long-time agent and manager.
Though he felt unsure at first, his wife, actress Nikki Reed, whom he wed in 2015, reminded him that the show was based on five books by bestselling author Jonathan Maberry, which helped him feel confident moving forward.
2020s
After learning more about the story behind the series, Somerhalder felt ready to take on the role. But once that chapter ended, his focus began to shift.
By 2024, he shared in an interview that his main efforts were no longer in front of the camera. He said it had been five years since he last worked professionally as an actor or producer, stepping back after “V Wars.”
Since then, he has focused on starting businesses, helping release documentaries like “Kiss the Ground,” “Common Ground,” and “Ground Swell,” and spending time with his children.
“I remember sitting with my management talking about this, saying, ‘Hey, this is the only thing I’ve ever known that’s ever sustained my family, and I’m walking away from it,’ at this sort of peak, could have gone and done anything, but these partnerships mean way more to me,” said the family man.
Leaving acting behind wasn’t easy, but Somerhalder felt his new goals mattered more. He said staying near his family and working on issues like farming, food, and energy became more important than chasing awards.
The businessman also spoke about his work with NUTRO and the Greater Ground initiative, which supports farmers growing better food for pets and people. For him, it’s this kind of hands-on work that truly matters.
Somerhalder’s interest in the land isn’t just professional. It also guides how he and his family choose to live. He and his wife, Reed, are raising their two young children on a farm located many miles north of Los Angeles.
The writer shared that being in nature helps their kids spend more time outdoors, away from screens. She said fresh air, sunshine, and natural light are important in a world where people often stay inside.
Their decision to live on a farm is deeply rooted in their values and daily habits. Reed explained that she couldn’t imagine life without being close to plants and soil.
For her, technology is becoming a bigger part of daily life, and even though they try to protect their children from too much screen time, the best way to balance it is by staying connected to nature. Their love for nature influences not just their home life but also how they see the world around them.
Reed is 37, and Somerhalder is 46. Years ago, he was named one of Teen People’s 50 Sexiest Guys Ever. He once paid close attention to his image, but today, he sees that time in a new light. While covers and magazine lists once helped boost his career, Somerhalder now places greater value on projects tied to the environment and spending time with his family.
Somerhalder’s shift toward a quieter, family-centered life hasn’t gone unnoticed. Even today, fans continue to admire his appearance. In March 2025, he posted a casual photo of himself resting on a bed, wearing a relaxed gray shirt. The comments quickly poured in.
“Sir u always slay” one fan wrote. Another praised him, “Looking gorgeous as hell” followed by red heart emojis. A different fan added, “Your look is cool…” And one admirer shared, “Ian is like wine, the more time passes the better he gets.”
Not long after sharing a relaxed photo at home, Somerhalder posted another snapshot in June 2025 — this time sitting inside a car. His tousled hair, calm expression, and piercing blue eyes quickly caught the attention of fans.
Many focused on one standout feature. One wrote, “THE EYESSssss” while another shared, “Those eyes beautiful inside and out!! [sic]” A different admirer chimed in, “My blue eyes, love you Ian” followed by a heart emoji. The same praise came again with, “Those eyes🔥” and “I love your eyes😍😍😍.” Another fan simply added, “Looking good as always!”
From early fame on hit shows to a quiet life on the farm, Ian Somerhalder’s path has taken many turns. He now finds meaning in family, nature, and causes that matter to him.
Even with his focus far from Hollywood, he continues to draw admiration from fans around the world. Through every chapter, his passion and presence remain just as strong.
