Career Timeline of Ian Somerhalder: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Ian Somerhalder built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Ian Somerhalder is an American former actor and current business owner best known for his roles as Boone Carlyle in the television series *Lost* and Damon Salvatore in *The Vampire Diaries*. His acting career solidified his status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
2000: Starred in Young Americans
In the summer of 2000, Ian Somerhalder starred in the WB series Young Americans.
2002: Acted in The Rules of Attraction
In 2002, Ian Somerhalder played Paul Denton in the movie The Rules of Attraction.
2004: Breakthrough Role in Lost
In 2004, Ian Somerhalder gained his breakthrough role playing Boone Carlyle in Lost.
2004: Starred in Lost
In 2004, Ian Somerhalder played Boone Carlyle in ABC's science fiction adventure drama television series Lost.
2009: Acted in The Tournament and The Vampire Diaries
In 2009, Ian Somerhalder appeared in the movie The Tournament and began playing Damon Salvatore in The Vampire Diaries.
2009: Starred in The Vampire Diaries
In 2009, Ian Somerhalder began playing Damon Salvatore in The CW supernatural teen drama series The Vampire Diaries.
April 22, 2010: Involved in Deepwater Horizon Cleanup
On April 22, 2010, Ian Somerhalder was involved in the cleanup after the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling disaster.
November 13, 2010: Hosted Bash on the Bayou
On November 13, 2010, Ian Somerhalder hosted a Bash on the Bayou charity fundraiser for the St. Tammany Humane Society.
December 8, 2010: Launched Ian Somerhalder Foundation
On December 8, 2010, Ian Somerhalder launched the Ian Somerhalder Foundation to educate people on protecting the environment and animals.
2010: Returned to Lost
Ian Somerhalder returned to Lost in 2010 for the series finale.
2011: Visited Allan Savory in Africa
In 2011, Ian Somerhalder visited Allan Savory in Africa and announced he was making a documentary about him.
2013: Acted in Time Framed
In 2013, Ian Somerhalder acted in the short subject Time Framed.
2017: Left The Vampire Diaries
In 2017, Ian Somerhalder stopped playing Damon Salvatore in The CW supernatural teen drama series The Vampire Diaries.
2019: Starred in V Wars
In 2019, Ian Somerhalder played Dr. Luther Swann in the Netflix series V Wars.
2020: Launched Brother's Bond Bourbon
In 2020, Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley launched a straight bourbon whiskey named Brother's Bond Bourbon.
2020: Continued in V Wars
In 2020, Ian Somerhalder continued playing Dr. Luther Swann in the Netflix series V Wars.
2020: Executive Producer of Kiss the Ground
In 2020, Ian Somerhalder shot footage for and served as an executive producer on the film Kiss the Ground.
2023: Executive Producer of Common Ground
In 2023, Ian Somerhalder returned as an executive producer on the documentary Common Ground.
2024: Retired From Acting
In a 2024 interview, Ian Somerhalder revealed that he had retired from acting after relocating outside of Los Angeles.
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