Somerhalder was born in Covington, Louisiana. He has a brother, Bob, a former professional cyclist and a sister, Robin, a broadcast journalist. His father, Robert Somerhalder, was a building contractor of French and English descent, and his mother, Edna, who is of Irish and Choctaw descent, grew up on a pig farm in Mississippi. The surname "Somerhalder" originates from his adoptive great-grandfather. Read more...

Somerhalder began his career as a fashion model, with his mother's encouragement at the age of 10. He modeled in New York, Paris, Milan, and London. His modeling credits include Calvin Klein, American Eagle Outfitters, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Versace, and Guess?. He was the face of Guess? for two fall seasons.

Although he continues to model with his agency DNA Model Management in New York Read more...

Ian Joseph Somerhalder (born December 8, 1978) is an American actor, male fashion model and producer, probably most notable for playing Boone Carlyle in the TV drama Lost.