After The Vampire Diaries and Lost became hugely successful, Ian Somerhalder recently talked about his choice to give up acting. His career was greatly influenced by The Vampire Diaries and Lost, two television series that are celebrating their 15th and 20th anniversaries this year, respectively.
Ian is now concentrating on other significant facets of his life, like his love for environmental work and family, even though these shows made him famous.
Reflecting on Lost, Ian spoke about how it was a life-changing experience. His character, Boone Carlyle, became the first major character to die on the show in Season 1. He admits that being the first one killed off was hard to swallow, especially because he had been the first actor cast in the series.
However, Ian turned this disappointment into an opportunity for personal growth. Spending time filming in Hawaii inspired him to focus on environmental conservation. He became deeply involved in reef, soil, and water conservation efforts, something that has remained close to his heart ever since.
After being cast as Damon Salvatore on The Vampire Diaries in 2009, Ian’s career took off once more. Initially, the show was mostly popular with younger viewers, but it soon became a worldwide sensation, drawing viewers from all over the world.
Ian disclosed that the series’ global viewership has increased dramatically thanks to streaming services, with an estimated 1.2 billion individuals having seen the show. This was astounding to him—one-eighth of the world’s population having been touched by the series in some way.
Ian now has a platform to not only entertain but also advocate for subjects that are close to his heart, like farming, animal welfare, and soil regeneration, thanks to his immense popularity. He is appreciative of the success of The Vampire Diaries and Lost since they gave him the opportunity to follow his passions outside of acting.
Ian has always been fascinated to the natural world, and his notoriety allowed him to raise awareness of agricultural and environmental problems. He now spends a large portion of his time educating people about sustainable practices, with an emphasis on enhancing soil health since it is essential to the production of wholesome food for both people and animals.
Ian deliberately chose to take a break from acting in 2019 following his appearance on Netflix’s V Wars in order to devote more of his time to his family and the companies he had been striving to develop. His wife, the actress Nikki Reed, and he collaborated on a number of environmental projects together, and they both have a strong desire to build a sustainable future.
Ian claims that raising his kids has taken precedence over all other responsibilities in his life and that his family is now his top concern. Considering that performing had always been his main source of income, deciding to leave the spotlight wasn’t an easy one for him. He does, however, feel that his journey of farming, sustainability, and family time has fulfilled him more than any acting part ever could.
In addition to his environmental work, Ian has been actively involved in initiatives like the Greater Ground initiative, which supports farmers in creating sustainable food systems. He sees this as a way to give back, helping farmers who are directly responsible for the food we consume. For Ian, it’s not about chasing awards or the next big acting gig anymore; it’s about making a lasting difference.
Ian’s journey shows a shift in priorities from the high-paced life of Hollywood to one of purposeful living. While he has fond memories of his acting career and the opportunities it afforded him, he feels more connected to his current path of advocating for the environment and spending time with his family. His role as a father and an advocate for sustainable farming fulfills him in ways that acting could not, and he’s content knowing that he’s contributing to a better world for future generations.
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Even though Ian has stepped back from the spotlight, his influence is still felt. His admirers are still interested in following him on his trip because of the important work he’s doing these days in addition to his previous television roles.
Ian is truly having an impact, whether it be by managing his businesses, endorsing films like Kiss the Ground that emphasize the value of regenerative agriculture, or helping farmers via the Greater Ground program.
His experience serves as a reminder that genuine success involves more than simply material wealth or notoriety; rather, it involves discovering meaning in the things that really count in life, such as family, the environment, and creating a lasting legacy.
