Ian Somerhalder Reflects on Acting Career and Life Beyond Hollywood

Ian Somerhalder recently opened up about his time working on the hit shows The Vampire Diaries and Lost, which helped establish his career. In an interview with People magazine, the actor reflected on how streaming brought a new audience to both series, giving his performances a wider reach. While expressing gratitude for his roles, Somerhalder revealed that his focus has shifted away from acting.

He shared that August 19 marks five years since his last on-screen appearance, and after V Wars, he made the decision to step back from acting. Somerhalder explained that he wanted to concentrate on building his businesses and launching meaningful projects like Kiss the Ground, Common Ground, and Ground Swell, while also spending more time raising his children.

At a peak in his career, Somerhalder had the option to pursue many opportunities, but he felt that his new ventures were more important. He acknowledged that while he had achieved success, his priorities had shifted toward family and more significant global issues like farming, food, and energy. For him, these pursuits have taken precedence over seeking awards or personal recognition.

Reflecting on his experience with Lost, Somerhalder described it as a humbling journey, especially after being the first cast member to be killed off. However, just a few years later, his role in The Vampire Diaries launched him to new heights, with the show eventually reaching over 1.2 billion viewers worldwide.