Ian Somerhalder plays Damon Salvatore, the elder and far more dangerous of two vampire brothers who share a long and bitter history, in The CW’s new drama “The Vampire Diaries.”

Somerhalder is well known for his role as Boone on J.J. Abrams’ critically acclaimed drama “Lost.” He won the 2005 SAG Award as part of “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series” and “Lost” won the 2005 Emmy Award for “Best Television Series – Drama.” The show was also nominated for the 2004 Golden Globe Award and the 2004 People’s Choice Award.

Somerhalder will next appear on the big screen in Scott Mann’s “The Tournament,” opposite Robert Carlyle, Ving Rhames and Kelly Hu. The film is about a battle that takes place every ten years between 40 of the world’s deadliest assassins. Other film credits include starring in Ellen Kanor’s “The Wake,” opposite Bijou Phillips; Aaron Wiederspahn’s “Sensation of Sight,” opposite David Strathairn and Jane Adams; Jim Sonzero’s “Pulse,” opposite Kristen Bell and Christina Milian; Roger Avary’s “The Rules of Attraction,” opposite James Van Der Beek, Kate Bosworth, Kip Pardue and Jessica Biel; Irwin Winkler’s “Life as a House,” opposite Hayden Christensen, Kevin Kline and Kristen Scott Thomas; Martin Guigui’s “Changing Hearts,” opposite Lauren Holly and Faye Dunaway; and Tony Giglio’s “In Enemy Hands,” opposite William H. Macy, Jeremy Sisto and Scott Caan.

On stage, Somerhalder starred off-Broadway in Trip Cullman’s “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead,” an “unauthorized parody” of Charles Schulz’ comic strip “Peanuts” that follows the travails of a grown up Charlie Brown and the original gang as their beloved beagle dies. Somerhalder co-starred with Eddie Kaye Thomas, Eliza Dushku, America Ferrera, Ari Graynor and Logan Marshall-Green.

Somerhalder recently starred in the Sci Fi Channel’s “Lost City Raiders,” opposite James Brolin. “Lost City Raiders” premiered to record ratings. He also starred in the miniseries “Marco Polo,” playing the title character opposite Brian Dennehy and B.D Wong. Written by Ron Hutchinson, the film traces the Venetian adventurer’s journey to Mongolia, where he was an envoy to the court of Kubla Khan. Somerhalder’s other television credits include the lead role on The WB’s “Young Americans,” the TV movie “Anatomy of a Hate Crime,” and guest starring roles in “CSI,” “CSI: Miami,” “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Smallville.”

More cast bios: Nina Dobrev (Elena/Katherine) – Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore) – Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore) – Katerina Graham (Bonnie Bennett) – Steven R. McQueen (Jeremy Gilbert) – Sara Canning (Aunt Jenna) – Matt Davis (Alaric Saltzman) – Michael Trevino (Tyler Lockwood) – Zack Roerig (Matt Donovan) – Candice Accola (Caroline Forbes) – Kevin Williamson (Executive Producer) – Julie Plec (Executive Producer) – Take a look at our gallery of images of the Vampire Diaries cast!