Jensen Ackles
{{Short description|American actor}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jensen Ackles
| image = File:Chace Crawford, Jessie Usher & Jensen Ackles (51958530351) (cropped) 3.jpg
| caption = Ackles in 2022
| birth_name = Jensen Ross Ackles
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|3|1}}
| birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.
| other_names =
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1996–present
| spouse = {{Marriage|Danneel Harris|2010}}
| children = 3
}}
Jensen Ross Ackles (born March 1, 1978) is an American actor and musician. He gained recognition 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 which earned him several Daytime Emmy Award nominations.
He also portrayed twin 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 Super-Heroes, and Justice League: Warworld.
Early life
Ackles was born in Dallas, the son of Donna Joan (born Shaffer) and Alan Roger Ackles, an actor.{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/5/Jensen-Ackles.html |title=Jensen Ackles Biography (1978–)}} He grew up in Richardson and attended Lloyd V. Berkner High School.{{cite news|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/food/drinks/2018/11/14/supernatural-actor-jensen-ackles-is-opening-a-second-brewery-in-texas/|last=Ricciardi |first=Tiney |title='Supernatural' actor Jensen Ackles is opening a second brewery in Texas|date=November 14, 2018|work=Dallas Morning News|access-date=January 3, 2022}} After graduating in 1996, he moved to Los Angeles to begin his acting career.{{cite news|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/jensen-ackles/|last=Austin |first=Scott M. |title=Jensen Ackles|date=March 1998|work=Texas Monthly|access-date=January 3, 2022}}
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.{{cite web |title=Everything Jensen Ackles has said about his role on Days of Our Lives |date=December 7, 2022 |url=https://www.hollywoodnewsdaily.com/everything-jensen-ackles-has-said-about-his-role-on-days-of-our-lives |publisher=Hollywood News Daily}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0010075/awards |title=Awards for Jensen Ackles |access-date=January 25, 2007 |work=Internet Movie Database}}
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.{{cite video|people=Tom Welling, Jensen Ackles |title=25 Things You Didn't Know About Supernatural |medium=Television |publisher=TV Guide Network |date=March 26, 2006}} 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), and 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.{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/dark-angel-season-3-cancelled-reason/ |title=Dark Angel Season 3: Why The Show Was Cancelled |last=Orquiola |first=John |date=June 1, 2020 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=June 1, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605022223/https://screenrant.com/dark-angel-season-3-cancelled-reason/ |archive-date=June 5, 2020}}
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/the-unseen-24-tv-shows-produced-but-never-properly-air-1798230096 |title=The unseen: 24 TV shows produced but never properly aired |work=The A.V. Club |date=February 20, 2012 |access-date=February 27, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801055631/http://www.avclub.com/article/the-unseen-24-tv-shows-produced-but-never-properly-69546 |archive-date=August 1, 2017 |quote=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.}} 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;{{cite web |url=http://www.jraunlimited.com/library/Smallville/200410_Series30.html |title=Jensen Ackles |work=Series Magazine |date=October 2004 |access-date=January 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060325083738/http://www.jraunlimited.com/library/Smallville/200410_Series30.html |archive-date=March 25, 2006}} Ackles however, turned down the role, which was then offered to Eric Christian Olsen and the character's name was changed to "Jensen" because the producers liked Ackles' name.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} 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).{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/smallville-jensen-ackles-superman-almost-cast/ |title=Smallville: Jensen Ackles Almost Played Superman (Thankfully He Didn't) |last=Raymond |first=Nicholas |date=November 24, 2019 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=November 24, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127233241/https://screenrant.com/smallville-jensen-ackles-superman-almost-cast/ |archive-date=November 27, 2019}} He also had a lead role in the 2005 film Devour in which Ackles' father, Alan Ackles, also had a role playing the father of Ackles' character, Jake Gray.
File:Jared and Jensen.jpg co-star Jared Padalecki in 2008]]
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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.discoversd.com/visuals/story/sddsd-comic-con-2015-supernatural-panel-2015jul12-photogallery.html |title='Supernatural' now longest running sci-fi show in U.S. - DiscoverSD |access-date=September 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160925002349/http://www.discoversd.com/visuals/story/sddsd-comic-con-2015-supernatural-panel-2015jul12-photogallery.html |archive-date=September 25, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
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[citation needed]. 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Jensen-Ackles-to-Join-Phillips-for-TX-A-Few-Good-Men-20070428 |title=Jensen Ackles to Join Phillips for TX A Few Good Men |date=April 28, 2007 |website=BroadwayWorld |access-date=February 27, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629184345/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Jensen-Ackles-to-Join-Phillips-for-TX-A-Few-Good-Men-20070428 |archive-date=June 29, 2017}} 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.{{cite news |last=Catsoulis |first=Jeannette |date=January 16, 2009 |title=Watch Out for That Pickax; It's Hurtling From the Screen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/movies/17vale.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 27, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110224829/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/17/movies/17vale.html |archive-date=November 10, 2017}}
File:Flickr Jensen Ackles - VanCon 2009 jensen006.jpg
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.awn.com/animationworld/getting-under-red-hood-director-brandon-vietti |title=Getting Under the 'Red Hood' with Director Brandon Vietti |last=DeMott |first=Rick |date=July 27, 2010 |website=Animation World Network |access-date=September 4, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915000912/https://www.awn.com/animationworld/getting-under-red-hood-director-brandon-vietti |archive-date=September 15, 2014}} In summer of 2021, Ackles voiced the role of Batman (Bruce Wayne) for the two-part adaptation of Batman: The Long Halloween.{{cite news |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=March 31, 2021 |title='Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One' Sets Voice Cast (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/batman-the-long-halloween-part-one-sets-voice-cast-exclusive-4158484/ |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 31, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331160959/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/batman-the-long-halloween-part-one-sets-voice-cast-exclusive |archive-date=March 31, 2021}} He voiced the role again in February 2023 in Legion of Super-Heroes and Justice League: Warworld.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbr.com/justice-league-warworld-jensen-ackles-batman-returns/#Echobox=1682633137 | title=Justice League: Warworld - Jensen Ackles' Batman Returns in New Animated Film | date=April 27, 2023 }}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.fragland.net/news/TRON-Evolution-voice-cast-announced-no-Bridges/24408/|title=TRON Evolution voice cast announced, no Bridges – Fragland|website=www.fragland.net|date=October 22, 2010|access-date=October 23, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027050535/http://www.fragland.net/news/TRON-Evolution-voice-cast-announced-no-Bridges/24408/|archive-date=October 27, 2010}}
File:Jensen Ackles (9362265831).jpg]]
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.{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/2019/10/21/supernatural-jensen-ackles-debut-album-steve-carlson-radio-company/|title='Supernatural' star Jensen Ackles' debut album with Steve Carlson coming in November|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=October 28, 2019}} Ackles and Carlson released Vol. 2 on May 7, 2021.{{Cite web|title=Vol. 2 by Radio Company|url=https://genius.com/albums/Radio-company/Vol-2|website=Genius|access-date=July 26, 2021|language=en}} 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.{{cite web |last=Webb Mitovich |first=Matt |title=Jensen Ackles Joins The Boys Season 3 as 'The Original Superhero' |url=https://tvline.com/2020/08/17/jensen-ackles-cast-the-boys-season-3-soldier-boy/ |website=TVLine|access-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817170128/https://tvline.com/2020/08/17/jensen-ackles-cast-the-boys-season-3-soldier-boy/ |archive-date=August 17, 2020 |location=United States |language=en |date=August 17, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Turchiano|first=Danielle|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/supernaturals-jensen-ackles-joins-the-boys-season-3-1234737168/|title='Supernatural's Jensen Ackles Joins "The Boys" Season 3|date=August 17, 2020|access-date=August 23, 2020|website=Variety}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Nick |title='The Boys' star Jensen Ackles says he has Soldier Boy cameo in 'Gen V' |url=https://ew.com/tv/the-boys-jensen-ackles-soldier-boy-gen-v-cameo/ |website=EW.com |language=en |date=April 4, 2023 |access-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405034110/https://ew.com/tv/the-boys-jensen-ackles-soldier-boy-gen-v-cameo/ |url-status=live }}
More recently, he and his wife formed Chaos Machine Productions with a deal at Warner Bros. Television.{{Cite web|last1=Turchiano|first1=Danielle|date=October 8, 2020|title=Jensen Ackles and Danneel Ackles Ink Overall Deal at Warner Bros. Television Group|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/jensen-ackles-danneel-ackles-warner-bros-overall-deal-chaos-machine-productions-1234798234/|access-date=October 9, 2020|website=Variety}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title='Supernatural' Prequel 'The Winchesters' In Works At The CW From Jensen & Danneel Ackles |url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/supernatural-prequel-the-winchesters-john-mary-jensen-ackles-dean-winchester-danneel-the-cw-1234781239/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=May 12, 2022 |date=June 24, 2021}} It was picked up in May 2022.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |last2=Petski |first2=Denise |title='Gotham Knights', 'Walker: Independence' & 'The Winchesters' Picked Up To Series By The CW |url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/gotham-knights-walker-independence-the-winchesters-picked-up-to-series-the-cw-1235022513/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=May 12, 2022 |date=May 12, 2022}}
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.{{cite news|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=October 12, 2021|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/jensen-ackles-alec-baldwin-travis-fimmel-in-rust-1234854342/|title=Jensen Ackles Joins Alec Baldwin In Western 'Rust'|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 13, 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013000814/https://deadline.com/2021/10/jensen-ackles-alec-baldwin-travis-fimmel-in-rust-1234854342/|archive-date=October 13, 2021}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Roots |first1=Kimberly |title=Big Sky: Jensen Ackles Promoted to Series Regular for Season 3 |url=https://tvline.com/2022/05/13/big-sky-jensen-ackles-promoted-to-series-regular-for-season-3/ |website=TVLine |access-date=May 13, 2022 |date=May 13, 2022}}
Personal life
After three years of dating, Ackles became engaged to actress and model Danneel Harris in November 2009.{{cite news|last=Abrams|first=Natalie|title=Jensen Ackles and Danneel Harris Are Engaged|work=TV Guide|date=November 9, 2009|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/jensen-ackles-engaged-1011811/|access-date=January 11, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104213131/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Jensen-Ackles-Engaged-1011811.aspx|archive-date=January 4, 2010}} The couple married on May 15, 2010, in Dallas.{{cite news|last=Oh|first=Eunice|title=CW Stars Jensen Ackles and Danneel Harris Tie the Knot|work=People Magazine|date=May 16, 2010|url=https://people.com/celebrity/cw-stars-jensen-ackles-and-danneel-harris-tie-the-knot/|access-date=May 16, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100518142004/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20369633,00.html|archive-date=May 18, 2010}} Their first child, a daughter, was born in May 2013.{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Zach|title=Jensen Ackles and Danneel Harris Welcome Daughter Justice Jay|work=Us Weekly|date=June 7, 2013|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/jensen-ackles-and-danneel-harris-welcome-daughter-justice-jay-201376/|access-date=June 7, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609043336/http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/jensen-ackles-and-danneel-harris-welcome-daughter-justice-jay-201376|archive-date=June 9, 2013}} In August 2016, the couple announced that they were expecting twins, a boy and a girl{{cite magazine|url=https://people.com/parents/jensen-ackles-danneel-harris-pregnant-expecting-twins-son-daughter/|title=Twins On The Way for Jensen and Danneel Harris Ackles: A Boy and a Girl|author1=Juneau, Jen|author2=Jordan, Julie|magazine=People|date=August 10, 2016|access-date=December 4, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130144425/http://celebritybabies.people.com/2016/08/10/jensen-ackles-danneel-harris-pregnant-expecting-twins-son-daughter/|archive-date=November 30, 2016}} who were born in December.{{cite magazine|url=https://people.com/parents/jensen-and-danneel-harris-ackles-welcome-twins/|title=Jensen and Danneel Harris Ackles Welcome Twins|author=Juneau, Jen|magazine=People|date=December 3, 2016|access-date=December 4, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204154246/http://people.com/babies/jensen-and-danneel-harris-ackles-welcome-twins/|archive-date=December 4, 2016}}
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).{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/tv/2018/01/09/supernatural-jensen-ackles-family-business-beer-brewery/|title=Supernatural star Jensen Ackles opens Family Business Beer Co., a Texas brewery|date=January 9, 2018|last=Highfill|first=Samantha|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=April 10, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410135715/http://ew.com/tv/2018/01/09/supernatural-jensen-ackles-family-business-beer-brewery/|archive-date=April 10, 2018}}
Filmography
=Film=
=Television=
=Video games=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="2" | 2010
| Tron Evolution: Battle Grids | rowspan="2" | Gibson | rowspan="2" | Voice role |
| Tron: Evolution |
| 2011
| Kyle Madigan | Voice role |
| 2012
| Dark Elf | Voice role |
| 2023
| Major Nechayev |
=Director=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! Notes |
|---|
| 2010–2015; 2019
| 6 episodes |
| 2022
| Walker | Episode: "No Such Thing As Fair Play" |
Discography
=with Radio Company=
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|10075}}
- {{Twitter}}
{{People's Choice Award for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ackles, Jensen}}
Category:Male actors from Dallas
Category:American male film actors
Category:Male models from Texas
Category:American male soap opera actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors