Ian Somerhalder makes his directorial debut with tonight’s “The Vampire Diaries” on the CW

Actor Ian Somerhalder star of The CW’s hit drama “The Vampire Diaries” makes his directorial debut tonight on the CW. Ian stars as Damon Salvatore, the elder of two brothers who share a long and bitter history

I’ve been wanting to do this since I was seven years old. It has always been a huge passion of mine…It’s an extraordinary experience…the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done professionally.”

After shutting off her humanity following the death of her mother, Caroline (Candice Accola) gives her friends an unexpected ultimatum. Not knowing how to handle the new Caroline, Stefan’s (Paul Wesley) attempt to intervene sets off a dangerous chain of events, leaving him and Elena (Nina Dobrev) in a race against the clock. Meanwhile, after seeking answers from Kai (guest star Chris Wood) about the prison world, Damon’s (Ian Somerhalder) world is turned upside when he learns some devastating news about his mother Lily (guest star Annie Wersching). Elsewhere, Enzo (Michael Malarkey) finds himself becoming increasingly intrigued by Sarah Salvatore (guest star Tristan Mays), and Bonnie (Kat Graham) begins to struggle with the effects of being back in the real world. Ian Somerhalder directed the episode written by Brian Young and Caroline Dries (#616). Original airdate 3/12/2015.

IAN SOMERHALDER Damon Salvatore in “The Vampire Diaries”

Ian Somerhalder stars as Damon Salvatore, the elder of two brothers who share a long and bitter history, in The CW’s hit drama “The Vampire Diaries.” For his portrayal of Damon, Somerhalder has received multiple Teen Choice Awards, including three consecutive wins for “Choice TV Actor Fantasy/Sci-Fi.” In April 2014, Somerhalder appeared in Showtime’s gripping docu-series, “Years of Living Dangerously,” from executive producers Jerry Weintraub, James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Focusing on global climate change, the series also included interviews and commentary from Matt Damon, America Ferrera, Lesley Stahl and Harrison Ford among others. Additionally, Somerhalder can currently be seen as the face of Azzaro Pour Homme, the luxury fashion brand’s new men’s fragrance. 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 a 2004 Golden Globe Award and a 2004 People’s Choice Award. Somerhalder returned to “Lost” for several episodes during its final season. Other television credits include HBO’s “Tell Me You Love Me,” a leading role in The WB series “Young Americans,” and guest starring roles in “CSI,” “CSI: Miami,” “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Smallville.” Film credits include “The Anomaly”, written by Simon Lewis and directed by Noel Clarke; “Time Framed,” a short film series he produced with SinMedia Factory; Ellen Kanor’s “The Wake;” “Sensation of Sight,” opposite David Strathairn and Jane Adams; Jim Sonzero’s “Pulse;” “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’s 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. (more) Ian Somerhalder Bio – Page 2 In 2010, Somerhalder launched The Ian Somerhalder Foundation, which aims to educate, empower and collaborate with people and projects that positively impact our planet and its creatures. Through his role as founder and president, Somerhalder strives to create awareness for environmental and animal rights-related issues, focusing specifically on the environment, creatures and clean energy initiatives. In 2011, ISF co-partnered with the Alliance for Global Conservation to create Planet Green’s “Blue August,” a week-long series that explored the wonders of the ocean and aquatic life. Ian served as an online and on-camera guide for the documentary and traveled to Trinidad and Tobago to film the life cycle of sea turtles. Currently, ISF is working on developing its own Animal Sanctuary dedicated to misfit and outcast pets, as well as other animals. He also serves on the advisory board of RYOT.org, a breaking news site that lets readers take action on every story that is posted. In 2014, Somerhalder was named as United Nations Environmental Program Goodwill Ambassador. July 2014

Debbie

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES episode “The Downward Spiral” directed by Ian Somerhalder airs tonight at 8:00pm on