The Vampire Diaries: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, and Relationships

The Vampire Diaries is a supernatural teen drama series that aired on The CW from 2009 to 2017, earning widespread popularity for its mix of romance, mystery, and supernatural themes.

Set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the story centers on Elena Gilbert and her complex relationship with vampire brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore, while also exploring the lives of a diverse ensemble cast.

The series became a cultural phenomenon, propelling its actors to international fame and leading to successful spin-offs, including The Originals and Legacies.

Main Cast and Their Roles

Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert, Katherine Pierce, and Amara

• Role: Nina Dobrev was the heart of The Vampire Diaries, portraying Elena Gilbert, a teenage orphan caught in a love triangle with vampire brothers Stefan and Damon. She also played Katherine Pierce, Elena’s cunning doppelgänger, and Amara, the original doppelgänger, showcasing her versatility across multiple roles. Dobrev left after season six but returned for the series finale.
• Net Worth: Estimated at $11 million, Dobrev has the highest net worth among the cast, built through acting in films like The Perks of Being a Wallflower and xXx: Return of Xander Cage, as well as her wine brand, Fresh Vine Wine, co-founded with Julianne Hough.
• Height: 5’6” (1.68 m).
• Family: Born Nikolina Kamenova Dobreva on January 9, 1989, in Sofia, Bulgaria, she moved to Canada as a child. Her parents are Kamen Dobrev, a computer specialist, and Michaela Dobreva, an artist. She has an older brother, Aleksandar Dobrev.
• Relationships: Dobrev dated co-star Ian Somerhalder from 2010 to 2013. Since 2019, she has been in a relationship with Olympic snowboarder Shaun White.

Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore

• Role: Somerhalder played Damon Salvatore, the charismatic, bad-boy vampire whose complex arc and chemistry with Elena drove much of the show’s drama. His performance earned him widespread acclaim.
• Net Worth: Estimated at $8–12 million, Somerhalder is among the wealthiest cast members, thanks to his acting, modeling, and entrepreneurial ventures, including Brother’s Bond Bourbon, co-founded with Paul Wesley.
• Height: 5’9” (1.76 m).
• Family: Born December 8, 1978, in Covington, Louisiana, Somerhalder is the son of Edna Somerhalder, a massage therapist, and Robert Somerhalder, a building contractor. He has two siblings, Robert Somerhalder and Robyn Somerhalder.
• Relationships: Married to actress Nikki Reed since 2015, they have two children: a daughter, Bodhi Soleil Reed Somerhalder (born 2017), and a son (born 2023).

Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore

• Role: Wesley portrayed Stefan Salvatore, the brooding, morally conflicted vampire brother, central to the show’s emotional core. He also directed episodes and appeared in spin-offs.
• Net Worth: Estimated at $6 million, earned through acting, directing, and producing, including roles in Tell Me a Story and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. He co-owns Brother’s Bond Bourbon with Somerhalder.
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m).
• Family: Born Paweł Tomasz Wasilewski on July 23, 1982, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to Polish parents Agnieszka Wasilewski and Tomasz Wasilewski. He has one older sister, Monika Emara, and two younger sisters, Leah Wasilewski and Julia Wasilewski.
• Relationships: Wesley married Torrey DeVitto in 2011, divorcing in 2013. He was with Phoebe Tonkin from 2013 to 2017. Married to Ines de Ramon from 2019 to 2024, he is now engaged to Natalie Kuckenburg.

Kat Graham as Bonnie Bennett

• Role: Graham played Bonnie Bennett, Elena’s loyal witch friend who harnessed powerful magic to protect Mystic Falls. Her arc included complex relationships with Jeremy and Enzo.
• Net Worth: Estimated at $3 million, built through acting in films like All Eyez on Me and music releases, including albums Love Music Funk Magic (2017) and Long Hot Summer (2022).
• Height: 5’2” (1.57 m).
• Family: Born September 5, 1989, in Geneva, Switzerland, Graham was raised in Los Angeles. Her father, Joseph Graham, is a music executive, and her mother, Natasha Graham, is of Russian and Polish descent. Her parents divorced when she was young.
• Relationships: Previously engaged to Cottrell Guidry, she is currently dating director Darren Genet.

Candice King as Caroline Forbes

• Role: King portrayed Caroline Forbes, Elena’s bubbly friend who becomes a vampire in season two. Her relationships with Matt, Tyler, Klaus, and Stefan were fan favourites.
• Net Worth: Estimated at $4 million, earned through acting in The Vampire Diaries, spin-offs, and projects like After We Collided. She also hosts A Superbloom Podcast.
• Height: 5’8” (1.73 m).
• Family: Born May 13, 1987, in Houston, Texas, King is the daughter of Carolyn Accola, an environmental engineer, and Kevin Accola, a cardiothoracic surgeon. She has a younger brother, Kree Thomas Accola.
• Relationships: Married to musician Joe King from 2014 to 2022, with whom she has two daughters, Florence May King and Josephine June King. She is currently dating Steven Krueger, her co-star from The Originals.

Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan

• Role: Roerig played Matt Donovan, Elena’s childhood friend and ex-boyfriend, a human navigating Mystic Falls’ supernatural chaos. He later became a deputy sheriff.
• Net Worth: Estimated at $4 million, from roles in The Vampire Diaries, Legacies, and projects like The Last Full Measure.
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m).
• Family: Born February 22, 1985, in Montpelier, Ohio, Roerig is the son of Andrea Roerig and Daniel Roerig. He has a younger sister, Emily Roerig.
• Relationships: Roerig has a daughter (born 2011) from a previous relationship with Alanna Turner. He dated Nathalie Kelley in 2016–2017.

Michael Trevino as Tyler Lockwood

• Role: Trevino portrayed Tyler Lockwood, a hot-headed jock who discovers his family’s werewolf curse, leading to a journey of self-discovery.
• Net Worth: Estimated at $2–4 million, earned through The Vampire Diaries and roles in Roswell, New Mexico.
• Height: 5’9” (1.75 m).
• Family: Born January 25, 1985, in Montebello, California, Trevino’s family background is less documented, but he is of Mexican descent.
• Relationships: Trevino dated Jenna Ushkowitz from 2011 to 2014. He is reportedly single as of recent updates.

Matthew Davis as Alaric Saltzman

• Role: Davis played Alaric Saltzman, a history teacher and vampire hunter who becomes a father figure to Elena. He appeared in spin-offs The Originals and Legacies.
• Net Worth: Estimated at $2 million, from roles in Legally Blonde, Blue Crush, and The Vampire Diaries.
• Height: 6’0” (1.83 m).
• Family: Born May 8, 1978, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Davis’ family details are private, but he has spoken about his Utah roots.
• Relationships: Married to Kiley Casciano since 2018, they have two daughters, Ripley Nightingale Davis (born 2020) and Dorothy Lavender Davis (born 2022).

Steven R. McQueen as Jeremy Gilbert

• Role: McQueen played Jeremy Gilbert, Elena’s troubled younger brother and a vampire hunter. He appeared in Legacies as well.
• Net Worth: Estimated at $3 million, from acting in The Vampire Diaries and shows like Chicago Fire.
• Height: 6’0” (1.83 m).
• Family: Born July 13, 1988, in Los Angeles, California, he is the son of Chad McQueen and grandson of Steve McQueen. His mother is Stacey Toten.
• Relationships: Previously engaged to Alexandra Silva (ended 2018), McQueen is reportedly single.

Joseph Morgan as Klaus Mikaelson

• Role: Morgan played Klaus Mikaelson, a paranoid, thousand-year-old hybrid vampire-werewolf introduced in season two, becoming a fan favorite and starring in The Originals.
• Net Worth: Estimated at $3 million, from roles in The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, and Titans.
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m).
• Family: Born May 16, 1981, in London, England, Morgan’s family details are private, but he grew up in Swansea, Wales.
• Relationships: Married to The Vampire Diaries co-star Persia White since 2014.

Michael Malarkey as Enzo St. John

• Role: Malarkey joined in season five as Enzo, Damon’s former cellmate and Bonnie’s love interest, adding charm to the series.
• Net Worth: Estimated at $1 million, from acting in The Oath and Project Blue Book, plus his music career.
• Height: 5’10” (1.78 m).
• Family: Born June 21, 1983, in Beirut, Lebanon, to an Irish-American father and British-Arab mother, Malarkey was raised in Ohio.
• Relationships: Married to actress Nadine Lewington since 2009, they have two sons, Hugo Malarkey and Marlon Malarkey.

Additional Notes

• Salaries: Lead actors like Dobrev, Somerhalder, Wesley, and King earned approximately $40,000 per episode, while supporting actors like Trevino and McQueen earned $15,000–$20,000. Kat Graham earned $35,000 per episode by the series’ end, and Kayla Ewell, who played Vicki Donovan, earned $30,000 per episode despite a smaller role.
• Impact and Legacy: The Vampire Diaries was a cultural phenomenon, averaging 3.6 million viewers at its peak and becoming The CW’s most-watched series for a time. Its success stemmed from strong chemistry, engaging plots, and a stellar soundtrack, though some criticized repetitive arcs.
• Post-Show Careers: Many cast members have thrived post-TVD. Dobrev, Somerhalder, and Wesley pursued diverse projects, while others like Graham and Malarkey balanced acting with music. Conventions and brand deals remain lucrative for the cast, dispelling rumors of financial struggles.

Conclusion

The cast of The Vampire Diaries brought unforgettable characters to life, building substantial careers and personal legacies that will endure. From Nina Dobrev’s multifaceted roles to Ian Somerhalder’s entrepreneurial ventures, their net worths reflect their hard work, with estimates ranging from $1 million to $12 million.

Their heights, family backgrounds, and relationships add depth to their public personas, showing how their real lives often mirror the drama of Mystic Falls.

As fans continue to stream the series on platforms like Netflix, the cast’s influence endures, cementing The Vampire Diaries as a defining piece of supernatural television.