A strikingly handsome player who proved his versatility with accomplished forays into acting and modeling, Ian Somerhalder possessed the piercing eyes and chiseled features which spelled success in the world of modeling, as well as the emotional intensity and rebellious charm that made for perfect teen heartthrob material on screen.

Born Dec. 8, 1978 in Covington, LA to his massage therapist mother and building contractor father, this small town southern boy spent many summers in Manhattan after making his modeling debut at age 10 – all in an effort to earn money to buy fishing equipment and a