Jensen Ackles
Jensen Ross Ackles (born March 1, 1978) is an American actor and musician. He is best known for his portrayal of Dean Winchester in The WB/CW dark fantasy drama series Supernatural (2005–2020) and appearing in television series such as NBC's Days of Our Lives as Eric Brady (earning him several Daytime Emmy Award nominations), super soldiers Ben/X5-493 and Alec/X5-494 in Fox's Dark Angel, Jason Teague in The WB/CW's Smallville, and Ben/Soldier Boy in Amazon Prime Video's The Boys. He also starred as the lead in the box office success My Bloody Valentine 3D, and provided the voices of Jason Todd in the animated film Batman: Under the Red Hood, and Bruce Wayne/Batman in the animated adaptation of Batman: The Long Halloween, Legion of Superheroes, and Justice League: Warworld.
Jensen Ackles | |
|---|---|
Ackles speaking at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born | Jensen Ross Ackles March 1, 1978 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
Early life
Ackles was born in Dallas, the son of Donna Joan (née Shaffer) and Alan Roger Ackles, an actor.[1] He grew up in Richardson and attended Lloyd V. Berkner High School.[2] After graduating in 1996, he moved to Los Angeles to begin his acting career.[3]
Career
After modeling on and off since the age of four, Ackles began to concentrate on an acting career in 1996. He appeared in several guest roles on Mr. Rhodes, Sweet Valley High, and Cybill before joining the cast of the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives as Eric Brady in 1997.[4] He won a 1998 Soap Opera Digest Award for Best Male Newcomer and went on to be nominated three times (in 1998, 1999, and 2000) for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series for his work on Days of our Lives.[5]
Ackles left Days of our Lives in 2000 and went on to appear in the mini-series Blonde, about the life of Marilyn Monroe. He also auditioned for the role of the young Clark Kent on Smallville, a role offered to actor Tom Welling instead.[6] Next he appeared in a guest role on the James Cameron television series Dark Angel on Fox in 2001 as serial killer Ben/X5-493, the brother of main character Max/X5-452 (played by Jessica Alba). His character died in the episode, but Ackles returned to the show as a series regular in the second season as Ben's sane clone, Alec/X5-494. He remained with the show until its cancellation in 2002.[7]
Ackles worked steadily throughout 2003. He joined the cast of The WB's hit show Dawson's Creek during its final season, playing CJ, Jen Lindley's lover. Afterward, Ackles filmed several episodes of the unaired series Still Life for Fox before it was abruptly dropped.[8] He also had a small role in the 2004 short film The Plight of Clownana. Ackles was the producer's first choice to play Eliza Dushku's love interest on the second season of Tru Calling;[9] Ackles turned down the role, which was then offered to Eric Christian Olsen and the character's name was changed to "Jensen"[9] because the producers of Tru Calling liked Ackles' name.[citation needed] Ackles returned to Vancouver (where Dark Angel was filmed) in 2004 to become a regular on Smallville playing the assistant football coach Jason Teague, who was also the newest romantic interest for Lana Lang (played by Kristin Kreuk).[10] He also had a lead role in the 2005 film Devour in which Ackles' father, actor Alan Ackles, also had a role playing the father of Ackles' character, Jake Gray.
In 2005, Ackles joined the cast of the WB show horror/action series Supernatural where he starred as Dean Winchester. Dean and his brother Sam (Jared Padalecki) drive throughout the United States hunting paranormal predators, fighting demons and angels, and showcasing fantasy & sci-fi pop culture. The show ended after fifteen seasons, making it the longest-running North American sci-fi series in history.[11]
In the summer of 2007, Ackles took on the role of Priestly in the independent comedy Ten Inch Hero. The film began hitting the film festival circuit in early 2007 and Ackles received high praise for his comedic timing in the role. In February 2009, the film was released on DVD exclusively by Blockbuster Home Video. He also appeared on stage from June 5–10, 2007 with Lou Diamond Phillips in A Few Good Men at Casa Mañana Theatre in Fort Worth, Texas as Lt. Daniel Kaffee.[12] Ackles received strong praise for his work in this role, which was also his professional theatre debut.
In the summer of 2008, Ackles was cast in the remake of the cult film My Bloody Valentine 3D, which opened nationwide on January 16, 2009.[13]
In summer of 2010, as part of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies franchise, Ackles provided the voice for the Red Hood (Jason Todd) in the animated film, Batman: Under The Red Hood, which was released to DVD and Blu-ray on July 27.[14] In summer of 2021, Ackles voiced the role of Batman (Bruce Wayne) for the two-part adaptation of Batman: The Long Halloween.[15] He voiced the role again in February 2023 in Legion of Superheroes, and will reprise the role in the upcoming film Justice League: Warworld.[16]
On October 22, 2010, Disney Interactive Studios announced he would be voicing a character named Gibson in the video game, Tron: Evolution which was released on December 7, 2010.[17]
After years of performing at conventions, Ackles released his first original song as a professional singer titled "Sounds of Someday" which is the first track from his debut album. In 2018, Ackles collaborated with musician Steve Carlson to form Radio Company. Together Ackles and Carlson completed a debut album entitled Vol. 1. The album's first single was released on iTunes and the album was released in November 2019.[18] Ackles and Carlson released Vol. 2 on May 7, 2021.[19] Their third album, Keep on Ramblin', was released on 24 February 2023.
In August 2020, it was announced he would join the cast of The Boys in its third season as Ben / B.C.L. RED / Soldier Boy.[20][21] He later portrayed a version of Soldier Boy in the "Jumanji" episode of the show's spin-off Gen V who is an imaginary friend of Cate Dunlap.[22]
More recently, he and his wife formed Chaos Machine Productions with a deal at Warner Bros. Television.[23] In June 2021, it was revealed that they were developing a Supernatural prequel spinoff for The CW, titled The Winchesters, about young John and Mary Winchester, Sam and Dean's parents. Ackles would serve as narrator, reprising his role as Dean.[24] It was picked up to series in May 2022.[25]
In October 2021, Ackles was cast to play U.S. Marshal Wood Helm in the Western feature Rust, written and directed by Joel Souza. He played opposite Alec Baldwin, who starred in the title role.[26] Production was temporarily suspended after the accidental death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
In May 2022, he guest starred on the ABC drama Big Sky's second season finale "Catch a Few Fish", as temporary sheriff Beau Arlen. The role was planted to be series regular for the show's third season, which was ordered the day after the episode aired.[27]
Personal life
After three years of dating, Ackles became engaged to actress and model Danneel Harris in November 2009.[28] The couple married on May 15, 2010, in Dallas.[29] Their first child, a daughter, was born in May 2013.[30] In August 2016, the couple announced that they were expecting twins, a boy and a girl[31] who were born in December.[32]
Ackles is a co-owner of a brewery in Dripping Springs, Texas, Family Business Beer Company, with his wife and in-laws. The brewery's name is a reference to Supernatural ("family business" being a tagline for the series).[33]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Plight of Clownana | Jensen | Short film; also executive producer and first assistant director |
| 2005 | Devour | Jake Gray | |
| 2007 | Ten Inch Hero | Boaz Priestly | |
| 2009 | My Bloody Valentine 3D | Tom Hanniger | |
| 2010 | Batman: Under the Red Hood | Jason Todd / Red Hood | Direct-to-video; voice role |
| 2019 | Buddy Games | Jack Durfy | Cameo |
| 2021 | Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One | Bruce Wayne / Batman | Direct-to-video; voice role[34][35][36] |
| Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two | |||
| 2023 | Legion of Super-Heroes | ||
| Justice League: Warworld | |||
| Buddy Games: Spring Awakening | Jack Durfy | ||
| TBA | Rust | Wood Helm | Deleted scenes[37] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Wishbone | Michael Duss | Episode: "Viva Wishbone!" |
| 1996 | Sweet Valley High | Brad Rollins | Episode: "All Along in the Water Tower" |
| 1996–1997 | Mr. Rhodes | Malcolm | Recurring role; 7 episodes |
| 1997 | Cybill | David | Episode: "The Wedding" |
| 1997–2000 | Days of Our Lives | Eric Brady | Series regular; 115 episodes |
| 2001 | Blonde | Eddie G. Robinson | Television film |
| 2001–2002 | Dark Angel | Ben / X5-493, Alec McDowell / X5-494 | Episode: "Pollo Loco" (Season 1), Main role; 18 episodes (Season 2) |
| 2002–2003 | Dawson's Creek | C.J. Braxton | Recurring role; 12 episodes |
| 2003 | Still Life | Max Morgan | Unaired television series |
| 2004–2005 | Smallville | Jason Teague | Main role (Season 4); 22 episodes |
| 2005–2020 | Supernatural | Dean Winchester | Main role; 327 episodes |
| 2011 | Supernatural: The Anime Series | Main role; 2 episodes, voice role | |
| 2012 | Undead Noise | Event Guest | Episode: "Flying Solo" |
| 2015–2018 | The Hillywood Show | Dancer / Himself | Guest appearance; 2 episodes |
| 2017 | Kings of Con | Justin Angles | Episode: "Arlington, VA" |
| 2022 | Walker | Miles Vyas | Cameo, also director; Episode: "No Such Thing as Fair Play"[38] |
| 2022–2023 | Big Sky | Beau Arlen | Guest role (season 2)[39] Main role (season 3); 14 episodes |
| 2022–present | The Boys | Ben / B.C.L. RED / Soldier Boy, Voice of Eagle Soldier Boy | Main role (Season 3); 7 episodes |
| 2022–2023 | The Winchesters | Dean Winchester | Recurring role, 13 episodes; also executive producer |
| 2023 | Gen V | "Soldier Boyfriend" | Episode: "Jumanji" |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Tron Evolution: Battle Grids | Gibson | Voice role |
| Tron: Evolution | |||
| 2011 | The 3rd Birthday | Kyle Madigan | Voice role |
| 2012 | Life Weaver | Dark Elf | Voice role |
| 2023 | Atomic Heart | Major Nechayev | Live-action trailer[40] |
Director
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2010–2015; 2019 | Supernatural | 6 episodes |
| 2022 | Walker | Episode: "No Such Thing As Fair Play" |
Discography
with Radio Company
Awards and nominations
| Year | Work | Awards | Category | Result | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Days of Our Lives | Soap Opera Digest Awards | Best Male Newcomer | Won | |
| Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated | |||
| 1999 | Nominated | ||||
| 2000 | Nominated | ||||
| 2006 | Supernatural | Teen Choice Awards | TV – Choice Breakout Star | Nominated | |
| Constellation Awards | Best Male Performance in a 2006 Science Fiction Television Episode (for "In My Time of Dying") | Nominated | [44] | ||
| 2007 | SFX Awards | Best TV Actor | Nominated | ||
| 2008 | Constellation Awards | Best Male Performance in a 2007 Science Fiction Television Episode (for "What Is and what Should Never Be") | Nominated | [45] | |
| Ewwy Awards | Best Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated | [46] | ||
| 2009 | Constellation Awards | Best Male Performance in a 2008 Science Fiction Television Episode (for "In the Beginning") | Nominated | [47] | |
| 2010 | Ewwy Awards | Best Actor in a Drama Series | Won | [48] | |
| Constellation Awards | Best Male Performance in a 2009 Science Fiction Television Episode (for "The End") | Nominated | [49] | ||
| 2011 | TV Guide Awards | Favourite Actor | Won | [50] | |
| 2012 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actor: Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Nominated | [51] | |
| 2013 | Constellation Awards | Best Male Performance in a 2012 Science Fiction Television Episode (for "We Need To Talk About Kevin") | Nominated | [52] | |
| People's Choice Awards | Favorite Dramatic TV Actor | Nominated | [53] | ||
| SFX Awards | Best TV Actor | Nominated | [54] | ||
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Actor: Fantasy/Sci-Fi | Nominated | [55] | ||
| 2014 | People's Choice Awards | Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor | Nominated | [56] | |
| Favorite TV Bromance (shared with Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins) | Won | [56] | |||
| 2015 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Chemistry: Jensen Ackles & Misha Collins | Won | [57] | |
| 2016 | People's Choice Awards | Favorite Sci-fi/Fantasy TV Actor | Won | [58] | |
| 2017 | People's Choice Awards | Nominated | [59] | ||
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor | Nominated | [60] | ||
| 2021 | Critics' Choice Super Awards | Best Male Actor in a Horror Series | Won | [61] | |
| 2022 | The Boys | Saturn Awards | Best Guest-Starring Performance (Streaming) | Nominated | [62] |
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11. Still Life (Fox, 2003) ...In addition to Baccarin, it starred future Supernatural star Jensen Ackles... Not a single one of the produced seven episodes ever aired, though a few surfaced in other countries.
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