Actor Spotlights are features examining the careers and impacts of talented performers working in film and television.The latest edition looks at Jensen Ackles, perhaps best known for his role as Dean Winchester on Supernatural.
Be sure to check out our previous Actor Spotlight features on stars such as Jacob Bertrand, Jack Quaid and more.
Ackles, 46, began his acting career almost three decades ago – but there’s one character he’ll likely be forever associated with.
From 2005 to 2020, he starred as monster hunter Dean Winchester on The CW’s smash-hit Supernatural.
The show ran for an incredible 15 seasons, featuring creatures such as demons, angels, ghosts and everything in-between.
Alongside Jared Padalecki (who played Dean’s brother, Sam), the two led the dark fantasy drama for 327 episodes.
“I love Jensen deeply”, Padalecki told E! News in 2021.
“He’s my brother—he has been for many years, and he always will be, no matter what.
“He’s spent more time with me on camera than anybody probably ever will, so he knows my strengths and weaknesses more than I do, and vice versa. I respect his opinion.”
Ackles starred as Dean Winchester for 15 seasons \ 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
By the 11th season, Supernatural had become the longest-running American live-action fantasy TV series.
“There was a reason why I think we all stuck around though, because we just truly enjoyed it. It was a family”, Ackles revealed during an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
That being said, the actor’s career does not start and end with Dean Winchester.
Ackles played varied roles before stepping into that ’67 Impala – and has continued to do since.
From 1997 to 2000, he held a series regular role as Eric Brady in long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives.
Cast after the character was aged up, Jensen Ackles received three Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series in 1998, 1999 and 2000, as well as a Soap Opera Digest Award in 1998.
There was also a slight, unintentional nod to his future: one episode saw Ackles share scene-time with Superantural co-star Jim Beaver, who would play Bobby Singer.
On one level, the actor has a key trait in common with Dean Winchester.
Much like his fictional counterpart, Ackles also followed in “the family business.” He’s the son of fellow actor Alan Ackles, a two-time Supernatural guest star.
The pair also played father and son in Devour, a 2005 horror film.
In a 2013 interview with AIR Time podcast, the elder Ackles revealed his son had at first favoured sports.
Later, after completing high school, Jensen Ackles stayed in Los Angeles for two weeks as a trial run – ultimately booking an episode of Sweet Valley High.
Ackles had a wide body of work before joining Supernatural | 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Despite Ackles’ long association with Supernatural, it was far from his first foray into the fantasy genre.
He appeared in both seasons of Fox sci-fi drama Dark Angel, co-created by Academy Award-winning director James Cameron (Titanic, Avatar).
Starring alongside Jessica Alba, Ackles flexed his acting muscles by playing two characters across the show’s run.
Initially, he guest-starred as Ben / X5-493, before returning as his twin (and new series regular) Alec McDowell / X5-494 in season two.
Meanwhile, Ackles had a starring role in Smallville season four, as high school football coach Jason Teagues, immediately before Supernatural.
It came following the actor having been runner-up to Tom Welling for the lead role of Clark Kent/Superman years earlier.
After booking the role of Dean Winchester, Ackles’ time on Smallville was cut short – although he was originally asked to read for Sam, the show’s other lead character.
Since the end of Supernatural, Jensen Ackles has maintained his links to the overall franchise.
Co-star Jared Padalecki has described Ackles as a “brother” | 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
In 2022, Ackles reunited with Supernatural creator Eric Kripke in season three of Amazon Prime Video series The Boys.
He played the role of Ben – aka “Soldier Boy”, a superhero originally thought to have been killed during the Cold War. Ackles also reprised this role in an episode of spin-off series Gen V.
Other Supernatural cast members including Jim Beaver, Jeffrey Dean Morgan (John Winchester) and Rob Benedict (Chuck Shurley/God) have also appeared on The Boys.
In a 2023 interview with The ‘Verse! Podcast, Jack Quaid, who plays Hughie Campbell on The Boys, said: “Jensen is maybe one of the most professional people you will ever work with.
“So nice, so genuine, so sweet, doesn’t wanna make anyone feel uncomfortable ever.”
Returning to the Supernatural universe, Ackles served as narrator and executive producer of prequel series The Winchesters.
The short-lived show followed Sam and Dean’s parents, John and Mary, while Ackles also physically reprised the role of Dean in a guest-starring capacity.
Most recently, he landed a recurring role on CBS action drama Tracker, playing Russell Shaw, older brother to lead character Colter (Justin Hartley).
What do fans think of Jensen Ackles?
Having amassed a wide ranging body of work, Ackles has won over countless fans.
Taking to Reddit, one wrote: “I’ve never in my life cared about an actor, and I’m not sure how exactly I started caring about Ackles, but the more I learned about him, the more blown away I was.
From what his coworkers say, he’s not only extremely talented but also extremely kind, humble, generous, and thoughtful.”
Echoing similar thoughts, another penned: “Super nice guy. I love Dean and am a Dean fangirl. I met him at a Dallas con after a super long day for them, they usually only show up one day, and it was late.
“He’s gorgeous, charismatic and talented, but he also appears to be by all accounts a nice bloke.”
“He made sure to make eye contact and comment about what you wanted autographed. Mine was the shirt of his mug shot and I told him it was the only shirt that would fit me when I was eight or nine months pregnant.
“His wife was pregnant at the time and he got a good laugh out of that.”
While a third commented: “He’s a good actor. Genuinely good. I am looking forward to seeing where his career takes him.
“But far more importantly, he seems to be an authentically decent human being. That’s what makes him someone I don’t know but who I am a bit invested in.
“He’s gorgeous, charismatic and talented, but he also appears to be by all accounts a nice bloke.
And we need more of them, so good on you Jensen and go well.”
A lifelong TV and Film buff, Conor founded Courageous Nerd in 2019. He has conducted hundreds of interviews for the site, as well as written comprehensive feature articles on a variety of topics. You can find him on X: @conorrcn.
A lifelong TV and Film buff, Conor founded Courageous Nerd in 2019. He has conducted hundreds of interviews for the site, as well as written comprehensive feature articles on a variety of topics. You can find him on X: @conorrcn.
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