About Ian Somerhalder

Ian Somerhalder is best known for his portrayal of Damon Salvatore on the Warner Brothers international hit TV show, “The Vampire Diaries,” and his role as Boone Carlyle on the ABC critically acclaimed drama “Lost.”

Ian also represents a new generation of dedicated activists. A Louisiana native, he demonstrated a reverence for nature from a young age. With a career that brings him to the four corners of the world, Ian received the gift of being imprinted to the planet, but it wasn’t until a disaster hit his home that his voice became a catalyst for change.

When the BP Oil Spill devastated the Gulf Coast, Ian did the only thing he could: he went back home to help. Witnessing the unprecedented devastation to the water, wildlife and individuals of his childhood was pivotal in igniting his unwavering support for a better earth. For the first time, he realized the powerful platform he had been given to manifest this change. Through his involvement in CNN’s Disaster in the Gulf: “How you Can Help” telethon and his constant call to action in media, Ian received a standing ovation from both Hollywood and the environmental community for taking a stand to action.

It is that stand to action combined with the widespread global support that led to the launch of the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, which aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures. ISF is run by a dedicated team from every corner of the globe and focuses on the most under-utilized resource in the world – our youth – to forward its mission.

Ian and ISF have experienced a substantial amount of success leveraging his entertainment-based social media presence to activate and create quantifiable change around the world. ISF has more than 800 Community Groups worldwide and over 200 ISF Kids armies achieving change collaboratively.

Ian received the first World of Good Award from Clint Eastwood at the 2011 Carmel Film and Art Festival, testified in front of the US Congress on behalf of HR 50, a multi-national Species Conservation Funds Reauthorization Act and hosted Discovery Planet’s “Blue August.”

For his work raising awareness about animal issues in the media, Ian received the Humane Society of the United States Wyler Award at the 2012 Genesis Awards and a host of 2013 Goody Awards for his environmental work.

In 2012, he joined Gisele Bündchen and Don Cheadle as a United Nations Environment Programme and World Environment Day Ambassador. Additionally, he was chosen as Josie Maran’s Model Citizen in 2013, received an EMA Futures Award at the 2012 Environmental Media Awards and was named the Most Responsible Celebrity at the International Green Awards.

Ian also serves on the advisory board of RYOT.org, and in 2010, he co-founded and launched Go Green Mobile Power, the world leader in providing “ecofficient” power and LED lighting solutions for a variety of mobile applications.