He has a brother, Robert (Bob), and a sister. Their parents divorced when he was thirteen.

Modeled for Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabanna,and Gucci. However, he doesn't like to talk about his modeling career because of the impressions people might get of him as being just another pretty face.

Grew up with his mother, whom he has described as being "very spiritual".

Ironically, the first actor to be cast as one of the survivors in "Lost" (2004).

Began modeling at age 10, modeled for Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabanna, Gucci, Versace and Guess (Was the face of Guess? for two consecutive fall seasons).

Attended Catholic school.

Was the face of Guess? for two consecutive Fall seasons.

In 2005, he bulked up, adding about 20 to 30 pounds of muscle to his slim frame, so he would be considered for more leading-man-type roles.

His father, Robert Somerhalder, was a building contractor of French and English descent, and his mother, Edna, who is of Irish and Choctaw descent, grew up on a pig farm in Mississippi.

Has said in an interview he was planning to buy a home in Hawaii when was filming the hit show "Lost" but couldn't after his character was killed off in the show.

The surname "Somerhalder" originates from his adoptive great-grandfather. His biological great-grandfather, a wealthy English landowner, got one of his mistresses pregnant and paid an immigrant worker of his to marry this woman and give the baby a name, which was Somerhalder. The biological great-grandfather's name was Hull.

Played varsity soccer and baseball.