Ian Somerhalder: Vampire Diaries Actor Express Gratitude to the People who Shaped His Career, Gives Agent Birthday Greeting on Twitter

Actor Ian Somerhalder recently expressed gratitude on Twitter to the people who helped in shaping his acting career. The TVD star thanked Craig Shapiro, who has been his agent for over a decade now, after posting a birthday greeting for the celebrant.

The 35-year-old heartthrob actor had his first TV break in 2004 when he portrayed character Boone Carlyle in the hit ABC drama series titled "Lost." In 2009, Ian Somerhalder appeared in the CW TV series "The Vampire Diaries" where he portrays vampire character Damon Salvatore.

Ian Somerhalder is grateful for the success of his career and acknowledged the people who stood by him for more than ten years. "There are many people whom have worked their a**es off to get me here (where ever i am) I love these people-thank you. What an amazing ride," the actor posted on his Twitter account @iansomerhalder on Saturday, July 12.

Before that, Ian Somerhalder thanked one person, his agent and birthday celebrant Craig Shapiro, and shared to his millions of followers that Craig has been like a big brother to him all these years. "Craig Shapiro-big brother to me, my agent @ ICM for 16 years-guided my career, has a birthday today! Im grateful man-Happy Birthday @cohiba711," Somerhalder tweeted.

Aside from his acting career, the Ian Somerhalder Foundation (ISF) also keeps the actor busy. The Ian Somerhalder fans know that the actor is really devoted to saving animals and environmental issues so he set up the ISF to educate the people and carry out projects that will "positively impact the planet and its creatures," as stated in the organization's official Web site.

"It's so important to mobilise people, because they are our future," Somerhalder stated in the Belfast Telegraph report. Meanwhile, current reports claim that the actor and his "Vampire Diaries" co-star Nina Dobrev have rekindled their romantic relationship in secret to avoid the scrutiny of the public's eye.

The Movie Pilot report pointed out that there is not enough evidence to prove the rumours including the latest claims that Somerhalder and Dobrev reunited for publicity stunt. The CW stars will be busy working for "The Vampire Diaries" Season 6 which is scheduled to premiere in October 2014.

In the Season 5 finale, Ian Somerhalder's TVD character was not able to come back from the Other Side with Bonnie Bennett (Kat Graham). However, executive producer Julie Plec has confirmed that the fans will still see Damon Salvatore and Bonnie when "The Vampire Diaries" returns because there are different ways to bring back the two characters.

"The Vampire Diaries" Season 6 will premiere on Thursday night, Oct 2, at 8 pm on the CW Network.

There are many people whom have worked their asses off to get me here(where ever i am) I love these people-thank you.What an amazing ride
— ian somerhalder (@iansomerhalder) July 12, 2014

Craig Shapiro-big brother to me,my agent @ ICM for 16 years-guided my career,has a birthday today!Im grateful man-Happy Birthday @cohiba711 — ian somerhalder (@iansomerhalder) July 12, 2014