Ian Somerhalder Net Worth

What Is Ian Somerhalder's Net Worth and Salary?

Ian Somerhalder is an American actor and model who has a net worth of $8 million. That is a combined net worth with his actress wife, Nikki Reed. They have been married since 2014 and have two kids together.

Ian Somerhalder began his career as a model at age 10 before transitioning to acting. His breakthrough came with the role of Boone Carlyle in ABC's hit series "Lost" (2004-2010), where he became the first major character to be killed off in the show.

Somerhalder's career reached new heights when he landed the role of vampire Damon Salvatore in The CW's supernatural teen drama "The Vampire Diaries" (2009-2017). The series premiere attracted the network's highest ratings for any season premiere since its 2006 launch, and his performance earned him several Teen Choice Awards and a People's Choice Award.

His other film work includes "The Tournament" (2009), where he played an assassin, and the short film "Time Framed" (2013). He later starred as Dr. Luther Swann in Netflix's science fiction horror series "V Wars" (2019-2020).

$10 Million Business Debt

In the years following his success on "The Vampire Diaries," Ian Somerhalder made an ambitious shift into entrepreneurship, founding a clean energy startup called Go Green Mobile Power, sometimes referred to as Go Green Equipment Leasing. The company was built around a forward-thinking concept: providing mobile, off-grid alternative energy generators powered by solar, wind, and bio-diesel to film productions and disaster relief efforts. Somerhalder also partnered with lighting manufacturer Cree to promote energy-efficient LED solutions.

Despite the strong vision, the business quickly unraveled. Somerhalder later explained that the company was derailed by a combination of internal fraud, misconduct from a major customer, and a broader downturn in the oil and gas industry. At the same time, he had personally guaranteed significant loans to keep the company operating, leaving him directly exposed when the venture collapsed.

The fallout was severe. Somerhalder and his wife, Nikki Reed, were left facing an eight-figure debt, reportedly exceeding $10 million. The financial and emotional strain took a major toll, with Somerhalder later admitting he pushed himself to the brink and was even hospitalized multiple times due to stress.

Rather than walking away, the couple undertook an aggressive effort to recover. They liquidated major assets, including homes, cars, artwork, and personal valuables, while Reed assembled a team to negotiate with creditors and restructure their obligations. By around 2016, Go Green Mobile Power had effectively disappeared, with its website and operations shut down, marking the end of a costly but formative chapter in Somerhalder's career.

Early Life

Ian Somerhalder was born Ian Joseph Somerhalder on December 8, 1978, in Covington, Louisiana. The son of Edna, a massage therapist, and Robert Somerhalder, an independent building contractor, Ian is the second of three children. He went to Mandeville High School after attending a private Catholic school in his youth. Somerhalder was a model from the ages of 10 to 13, and at the age of 17, he started acting.

(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Early Career

In the summer of 2000, Ian starred in the WB series "Young Americans," which was a "Dawson's Creek" spin-off. He played the character of Hamilton Fleming, the son of the dean of a prestigious boarding school. The series was short-lived, however, lasting just eight episodes before its cancellation. Somerhalder co-starred with James Van Der Beek, Jessica Biel, and Shannyn Sossamon in "The Rules of Attraction" in 2002, playing bisexual character Paul Denton in the adaptation of the Bret Easton Ellis novel.

Somerhalder's big break came in 2004 when he was cast as Boone Carlyle in the ABC hit "Lost." His character died in the first season, in episode 20, but he played the recurrent role seven more times up through the series finale. Somerhalder's character was the first major character to die in the series. In 2009, Somerhalder played the role of an assassin in the film "The Tournament."

"The Vampire Diaries" and Peak Fame

Somerhalder's career reached its defining peak in 2009 when he was cast as Damon Salvatore on The CW's "The Vampire Diaries." The series became one of the most successful teen dramas of its era, running for eight seasons through 2017 and developing a massive international fan base.

As Damon, Somerhalder portrayed a charismatic and morally complex vampire, a role that quickly made him the breakout star of the series. His performance earned multiple Teen Choice Awards and solidified his status as a leading man on television. Beyond acting, he expanded his role behind the scenes by directing several episodes of the show in later seasons. Ian produced the series at the beginning of season eight. The series ran for eight seasons and 171 episodes, concluding its run in March 2017.

At the height of the series, Somerhalder was earning a substantial salary per episode, making "The Vampire Diaries" one of the most lucrative periods of his career.

Other Work

Over the years, Ian made appearances in "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "CSI: Miami," and "Smallville." In 2018, Ian was cast in the role of Dr. Luther Swann in the Netflix science fiction horror series "V Wars." It was also short-lived, however, premiering in December 2019 and being canceled in March 2020.

Ian Somerhalder Salary

What was Ian Somerhalder's salary per episode of "The Vampire Diaries"? $40,000.

Brother's Bond Bourbon

Ian Somerhalder co-founded Brother's Bond Bourbon alongside his longtime friend and "The Vampire Diaries" co-star Paul Wesley. Their shared appreciation for bourbon, both on and off-screen, inspired them to create a spirit that embodies their bond. Launched in 2021, Brother's Bond Bourbon quickly gained recognition for its smooth, complex flavor profile and commitment to sustainable practices. Somerhalder's hands-on involvement in the blending process and dedication to environmental causes are reflected in the brand's use of regenerative grain and support for regenerative agriculture initiatives. The bourbon has received multiple awards, including Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and continues to expand its presence in the spirits industry.

Philanthropy & Environmental Advocacy

In 2024, Somerhalder revealed that he had retired from acting several years earlier. As he told People magazine, "August 19th makes five years since I was professionally on camera as an actor/producer. I stepped away from that after V Wars to build these companies, launch films, and raise my kids."

His post-acting career has focused on environmental activism and business ventures. In 2010, he founded the Ian Somerhalder Foundation (ISF) to educate people about protecting the environment and animals. The foundation's mission includes environmental conservation, animal protection, and youth empowerment.

Somerhalder was deeply impacted by witnessing the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling disaster in 2010, participating in cleanup efforts, and taping public service announcements. This catastrophe in his home state of Louisiana inspired him to use his platform for environmental change.

The United Nations Environment Programme named Somerhalder a Goodwill Ambassador in recognition of his environmental work. His foundation distributes funds towards environmental conservation, green energy development, and works to raise awareness about deforestation and animal cruelty.

Personal Life

Ian was previously in a relationship with his. "The Vampire Diaries" co-star Nina Dobrev. He began dating actress Nikki Reed in 2014. They were engaged in February 2015 and married on April 26th of that year in Malibu. They welcomed daughter Bodhi Soleil on July 25, 2017, followed by a son in June 2023.

Real Estate

In 2015, he and his wife, actress Nikki Reed, purchased a contemporary home in Venice, California, for $2.85 million from Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. The 2,840-square-foot residence featured four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and eco-friendly design elements, including reclaimed wood accents and energy-efficient appliances. The couple listed the property for $3.5 million in 2019 and sold it in February 2020 for $3 million.

Following the sale, Somerhalder and Reed transitioned to a more rural lifestyle, settling on a farm outside Los Angeles. Their property emphasizes regenerative agriculture and sustainability, aligning with their environmental advocacy. The farm serves as both a family home and a base for their various eco-conscious initiatives, including co-producing the documentary "Common Ground," which promotes regenerative farming practices.

Who's Richer?

Ian
Somerhalder

Compare!

Paul
Wesley