Key Takeaways:
– Ian Somerhalder misunderstood ‘The Vampire Diaries’ as a TV imitation of ‘Twilight’ when he first received the script.
– The actor later took up the role of Damon Salvatore in the famed teen vampire drama and became a fan favorite.
– His role in ‘The Vampire Diaries’ significantly impacted the course of his career.
– In recent years, Somerhalder has shifted away from acting, opting to produce documentaries on climate change and sustainable practices.
Somerhalder’s Initial Doubts About ‘The Vampire Diaries’
Ian Somerhalder, famed for his role as Damon Salvatore in ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ has revealed that he initially returned the script for the series, misconstruing it as a ‘Twilight Saga’ knockoff for television. This misjudgment almost made him bypass the role that later transformed his career.
In ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ based on L.J. Smith’s book series, Somerhalder’s character, Damon Salvatore, and his brother Stefan get embroiled in a love triangle with Elena Gilbert, a teenager, in the supernatural town of Mystic Falls. Despite his early skepticism, Somerhalder’s portrayal became a hit with fans.
In a recent chat with Kate Snow on ‘The Drink,’ Somerhalder revealed his initial reaction: “They sent me a script of The Vampire Diaries. I picked it up, and I said, ‘This Twilight on TV,’” and then tossed it aside. It was only days later that he gave in to his curiosity, read the script, and cultivated his intrigue for the series and his character.
A Role That Shaped Somerhalder’s Career
Despite his initial misgivings, Somerhalder admitted that starring as Damon Salvatore highly impacted his career path. “I had to fight tooth and nail,” he mentioned, sharing his experience of driving through the Mojave Desert to his audition. His journey and his effort into fleshing out Damon’s character eventually paid off.
The Vampire Diaries significantly changed the “entire trajectory of anything my life would ever be,” Somerhalder confessed. His role in the teen drama earned him immense popularity and paved the way for further roles in movies and TV shows.
Ian Somerhalder’s Transition from Acting to Producing
While Somerhalder continued to work in the film industry after the success of ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ the 45-year-old, in recent years, has taken a step back. During the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Common Ground’ earlier this year, he reflected on his decision to take a break from Hollywood.
“I love what I did for a really long time,” he told E! News, adding, “I love making films, I just did it for so long. We had an amazing run.” The former actor has since pivoted toward producing documentaries.
Somerhalder’s focus is primarily on climate change and sustainable practices. He has produced and appeared in documentaries such as ‘Years of Living Dangerously,’ ‘Kiss The Ground,’ and, most recently, ‘Common Grounds,’ promoting eco-friendly farming.
By no means is Somerhalder’s acting career entirely in the past. Fans of ‘The Vampire Diaries’ can still relive his acclaimed performance as Damon Salvatore. The series is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.
In conclusion, while Somerhalder’s journey in ‘The Vampire Diaries’ began with skepticism, it undoubtedly carved a successful path for him in the entertainment industry. Now, He looks forward to making an impact with his content focused on pressing environmental issues.
