Ian Somerhalder's Life After 'The Vampire Diaries': From Hollywood to the Farm
Actor Ian Somerhalder, famous for roles in 'Lost' and 'The Vampire Diaries', has largely stepped away from acting to focus on promoting regenerative agriculture.
Now 47, Ian Somerhalder was once one of the most recognizable faces on TV, but in recent years he has appeared less frequently on screen. He has redirected much of his energy toward promoting regenerative agriculture—an approach aimed at restoring soil health and ecosystems.
Somerhalder, who comes from a farming family in Louisiana, says his life changed after a trip to Zimbabwe, where he met regenerative agriculture pioneer Allan Savory. There, he witnessed firsthand how these methods can revive degraded landscapes. The experience was documented and later became the basis for the 2020 documentary “Kiss the Ground,” in which Somerhalder participated. He also served as executive producer for its sequels “Common Ground” (2023) and the recently released “Groundswell” (2024).
Though he misses the sense of community on film sets, Somerhalder notes that the industry has changed and become more divided, so he is content with his decision to leave. Today, he lives on a farm with his wife Nikki Reed and their two children, embracing a lifestyle centered on nature and sustainability.
Somerhalder is optimistic about the future, believing that younger generations will adopt regenerative agriculture and reconnect with nature, despite challenges posed by technology and division.
