GO IAN! It’s your birthday! – A (Small) Tribute to Ian Somerhalder on his 32nd Birthday

It’s Ian Somerhalder’s birthday.  So let’s CELEBRATE!  First, change into something a little more comfortable . . .

Make sure you’ve got your favorite tunes playing . . .

You are DEFINITELY going to want to DANCE!

Pour yourself a drink . . . or twenty!

And don’t worry about those pesky calories.  INDULGE YOURSELF!

Put your feet up, and relax . . .

And don’t forget to pucker up for those birthday kisses!

Who knows?  You may even end up getting LAID!

You may have noticed that I spend a lot of time on this blog going on (and on . . . and on) about Ian Somerhalder – the actor.  I’ll write posts about the various roles he’s played, throughout his career, or his acting techniques, or the deft with which he’s established himself as a complex and intriguing male romantic lead.  Yet, through all of this, I very rarely take the opportunity to talk about Ian Somerhalder – The Man. 

Well, now “The Man” has just turned 32.  So, what better time than NOW, to peek into Ian Somerhalder’s life:  where he has been, and, perhaps, even more importantly, where is he GOING . . .

Ian Somerhalder was born December 8, 1978 in Covington, Louisianna.  His gregarious nature, and natural good looks led him to begin a career in modeling at a very early age . . .

But, at the age of 17, Ian found himself craving something more.  And so, he began to pursue a career in acting.

Though Ian made a name for himself playing roles like the bisexual schemer Paul Denton in the film The Rules of Attraction, and sexually confused private school student Hamilton Fleming, in the short-lived television series, Young Americans, his big break came in 2004, when he auditioned for the role of Boone Carlye, in what would become ABC’s most successful television series, Lost.

But then the writers had to go and kill off his character, during the show’s first season.  (Yeah . . . THAT SUCKED!)

So, Ian took his talents to the stage, starring as a teenaged version of Pig Pen in the Off-Broadway Peanuts tribute play, Dog Sees God, alongside other up-and-coming actors, America Ferrara (Ugly Betty, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants), Eliza Dushku (Bring it On, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse), Ari Graynor (Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist), Logan Marshall Green (The O.C.), and Eddie Kaye Thomas (American Pie).

(Believe it or not, I actually got to see this show live.  I loved it to pieces.)

And . . .  then came The Vampire Diaries, and a little Brooding Bad Boy Bloodsucker, we like to call Damon Salvatore . . .

The show was an instant success, and quickly built up a rabid fanbase.  This can largely be attributed (in addition to great writing) to the stellar acting skills and amazing chemistry of its talented cast members . . .

The success of The Vampire Diaries helped Ian gain recognition both as Entertainment Weekly’s Sexy Beast, and as one of People Magazine’s Sexiest Men Alive in 2010.

But Ian is more than a pretty face, talented actor, and charming interviewee, he’s also a pretty darn good person, who cares about the environment and wants to better his community.  A staunch animal lover, and owner of three cats . . .

 . . . Ian has worked closely with the St. Tammany Humane Society to raise money for animals in need.  His involvement in this organization increased manyfold, following the Gulf Oil Spill, back in April of 2010.  Ian was one of the first celebrities to speak out publicly against BP, and the lackadasical way in which the spill was being handled by its executives.  Concerned about the welfare of the animals living in the gulf, Ian put out a series of public service announcements requesting public donations to help care for them.

In fact, Ian was one of the main voices behind the Gulf Oil Spill Telethon hosted by Larry King this year. 

Today, in honor of his 32nd birthday, Ian will launch his own foundation geared toward positively impacting the planet and its creatures.  You can learn more about the Ian Somerhalder foundation (and how to make a donation) by clicking here.  To learn more about what’s going on in the Fabulous Life of Ian Somerhalder, go ahead and follow him on Twitter.

But, however, you decide to celebrate Ian’s birthday, be sure to watch The Vampire Diaries this Thursday at 8 p.m . . .

I promise you, it won’t SUCK . . .

Happy Birthday, Ian.  YOU’RE THE MAN! 🙂

[www.juliekushner.com]