Ian Somerhalder has been singularly focused on the disaster in the Gulf since the pipe burst over two months (good lord) ago. He’s constantly called attention to the ecological catastrophe in interviews, on Twitter and anywhere a mic was placed near his mouth. But Ian found himself shocked to be the only tub thumper.

“Coming from the entertainment world, I’m really shaken by how quiet Hollywood is,” the actor told E! Online earlier this month. “And I say that out of respect for my peers and colleagues, but I’m really bummed that no one is really coming up to help the situation. I think a telethon is a good way to funnel money into these channels…We need to set one of those things up to really paint a picture of exactly how much devastation is here.”

Well Ian is no longer alone as dozens of stars stood shoulder to shoulder with him on last night’s CNN “Disaster in the Gulf: How You Can Help” telethon that raised over $1.7 million so far. Round of applause please.

But that’s not enough — we can’t limit our donations to one night, so please click here for information on three essential foundations that need your help in order to properly clean up the Gulf.

Fireball was a fantasy themed film that premiered on the Syfy network early in 2009. Now, a year later the film is available today on DVD through MTI Home Video. The film stars Ian Somerhalder (“The Vampire Diaries”) as an investigator curious about a prison fire which leaves several inmates seared. Fireball also stars Aleks Paunovic (“Battlestar Galactica”) as a “former footbal star” and convict who, through mutation, is able to wield fire on a whim.

‘The Vampire Diaries’ star Ian Somerhalder
is not happy about his peers lack of action over the disastrous BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Coming from the entertainment world, I’m really shaken by how quiet Hollywood is,” Somerhalder, 31, tells E! Online. “And I say that out of respect for my peers and colleagues, but I’m really bummed that no one is really coming up to help the situation. This is ground zero right now. This place is going to need money, that is the bottom line.”

CNN’s Larry King and producer and American Idol host Ryan Seacrest are doing something about the situation. Together they will bring a Gulf Aid telethon Monday, June 21, with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, who has been reporting live from the Gulf region since the disaster unfolded months ago. Covington, Louisiana native Ian Somerhalder is confirmed to be part of the televised fundraiser.

The Telethon special, which will air at 9 p.m. ET Monday (June 21), will raise money for three charities: The United Way, the National Wildlife Federation and the Nature Conservancy.

The United Way is providing emergency help for people affected by the spill, both the National Wildlife Federation and the Nature Conservancy are involved in cleanup efforts.

Along with Ian, the celebrity participants in the telethon are Gulf Coast natives Harry Connick Jr., Aaron Neville, Tim McGraw, James Carville, Mary Matalin, Alyssa Milano, Sting, Robert Redford, Ted Danson, Melania and Ivanka Trump, Chelsea Handler, Jenny McCarthy, Lenny Kravitz, Pete Wentz, Tyson Ritter, Edward James Olmos and Philippe Cousteau.

Have you heard of the latest Louisiana hot spot, the “Prius cabana suite”?

It’s what Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder calls the place he just spent the night.

“That would be my rental car that I had to sleep in,” Ian explains. “I couldn’t find anywhere to stay. There’s so many people here trying to tame this beast.”

That “beast” is the devastating BP oil spill affecting a vast area that includes Ian’s home state of Louisiana, which he is visiting now in an effort to help. Our E! News cameras just caught up with him exclusively…

Make sure you check out E! News tonight at 7 for Ian’s full report.

And above, check out more exclusive video with Ian in Louisiana.

Ian tells us he’s hoping more people will get involved in relief efforts–especially those in the Industry.

“Coming from the entertainment world, I’m really shaken by how quiet Hollywood is,” the actor admits. “And I say that out of respect for my peers and colleagues, but I’m really bummed that no one is really coming up to help the situation. I think a telethon is a good way to funnel money into these channels…We need to set one of those things up to really paint a picture of exactly how much devastation is here.

“This is ground zero right now,” Ian adds, as he surveys more of the devastating effects of the spill in the region. “I’m looking at this slick of oil. I’ve been watching pelicans die…This place is going to need money, that is the bottom line–money in the right hands to replant these marshes.”

This was actually Ian’s second trip to the region in recent weeks. He is from Covington, La., and is very involved with St. Tammany’s Humane Society, a local animal shelter that has been caring for pelicans affected by the spill. You can get more information on the organization here and on Twitter.

Ian went to his hometown a few weeks ago to tape a PSA that would draw attention to the oil spill and how it is affecting local wildlife. And after finishing a press tour in Monte Carlo, he returned this week to see what he can do to help.

“You know, it’s crazy,” Ian says, “which really breaks my heart…If you look at all these beaches right here. It’s a June afternoon–this beach would be littered with families, kids playing, dads on the pier with their buddies fishing. None of that’s here…The things you remember, the times you spent with your parents or your grandparents, brothers, sisters, fishing and learning about the ecology here is…it’s your base, it’s your root and you’ll do anything, you will fight tooth and nail to protect it.”