Ian Somerhalder: 'Vampire Diaries' Actor Express Gratitude To People Who Showered Him With Birthday Love On Twitter And Instagram

On Monday, Dec. 8, "Vampire Diaries" star Ian Somerhalder turned 36 with family, friends and millions of fans showering him with birthday wishes, gifts and love. The heartthrob actor expressed his gratitude to the people who made his day special through a photo and video shared on Twitter and Instagram.

Ian Somerhalder particularly thanked those who granted his birthday wish. The TVD star wanted the people to make a $10 donation to his Ian Somerhalder Foundation (ISF) instead of sending him birthday gifts.

In a shared Instagram image, the TVD star wrote as a caption his "Thank you" message to the people who donated to the ISF. "Thank you so much everyone! This birthday is so special-I can't even begin to tell you. I am so thankful-help me change the world with your voice, your power, your talent, your skills and your passion. I am one of you, we are together. With love and gratitude, Ian," the actor posted on his Instagram account iansomerhalder. Click HERE to see photo.

Ian Somerhalder continued to thank his Twitter followers who showed support and helped his foundation on Tuesday, Dec. 9. "Thank you all!!!!!! I love you!!!!!! http://instagram.com/p/wXd35PKJ3h/," the former "Lost" cast member posted on his Twitter account @iansomerhalder with the link to his video message. Click HERE to watch Ian Somerhalder expressing his gratitude.

Actress Kat Graham, who portrays Bonnie in "The Vampire Diaries," made a special birthday greeting for her co-star on her Instagram account. "Happy birthday to my ride or die, my friend til the end, my champion, I love you Ian! @iansomerhalder," the 25-year-old TVD star posted on her Instagram account katgrahampics as a caption to the shared image. Click HERE to see photo.

Kat and Ian may have hated each other at first, just like their on-screen characters Bonnie and Damon, but now the two are best friends. Kat Graham revealed in an AOL interview last November that she and Ian did not like each other at all in "The Vampire Diaries" Season 1.

"Now he's my best friend in the cast. He's the person I can say in 30 years will be one of my closest friends," Graham further shared. Watch Ian Somerhalder and Kat Graham in the mid-season finale episode of "The Vampire Diaries" Season 6 which is scheduled to air on Thursday night, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m. ET on the CW Network.

Thank you all!!!!!! I love you!!!!!! http://t.co/Zb4vfSGVl6

— ian somerhalder (@iansomerhalder) December 9, 2014

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