JARED PADALECKI

Name & Birth Details

Full Name: Jared Tristan Padalecki
Date of Birth: July 19, 1982 (age 42 as of June 2025)
Place of Birth: San Antonio, Texas, USA 

Family & Early Education

Born to Gerald (Polish descent) and Sherri Padalecki (German, Scottish, French, and English ancestry), Jared grew up alongside older brother Jeff and younger sister Megan. He attended James Madison High School in San Antonio, graduating in 2000, and was notably a candidate for the Presidential Scholars Program .

Early Passion for Performance & Debate

Even in high school, Jared excelled in dramatic arts. In 1998, he and his partner Chris Cardenas won the National Forensic League championship in Duo Interpretation. Soon after, he moved to Los Angeles instead of college to pursue acting after winning Fox's “Claim to Fame” contest in 1999—landing a Teen Choice Awards appearance and meeting his agent.

Breakthrough TV & Film Roles

• Dean Forester on Gilmore Girls (2000–2005), evolving from recurring to main role across 63 episodes .

• Feature films include Cheaper by the Dozen (2003, uncredited bully), New York Minute (2004), Flight of the Phoenix (2004), House of Wax (2005), Cry Wolf (2005), and Friday the 13th (2009) .

Defining Role: Sam Winchester

In 2005, Jared took on the iconic role of Sam Winchester in Supernatural. Over 15 seasons and 327 episodes, he and co-star Jensen Ackles became cultural icons. The series concluded in 2020 as the longest-running sci-fi series in North America .
He earned multiple accolades, including Teen Choice and SFX/Supernatural-centered awards, reflecting his enduring popularity .

Leading Roles & Executive Producing

• Starred as Cordell Walker in Walker (2021–2024, 69 episodes) and served as executive producer .

• Guest-starred in Fire Country (2024) as Camden Casey for a multi-episode arc .

• Cast in a new CBS medical drama set in rural Texas, where he also serves as co-creator and executive producer alongside Anna Fricke .

Legacy & Supernatural Universe Reunions

Padalecki and fellow Supernatural cast members, including Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins, are set to appear in the final season of Amazon’s The Boys, sparking excitement among fans for the crossover moment .

Philanthropy & Advocacy

In 2015, he launched the Always Keep Fighting initiative to support mental health, partnering with Jensen Ackles. Through sale of apparel and public events, the campaign raised awareness and funds for causes like depression, addiction, and suicide prevention .

Personal Life

Jared married fellow Supernatural star Genevieve Cortese in February 2010. The couple has three children together. Though based in Los Angeles now, he remains closely tied to his Texas roots through ongoing projects filmed and set in the Lone Star State .

Summary

From winning early debate competitions in San Antonio to becoming the face of Supernatural and leading roles in Walker and upcoming CBS medical dramas, Jared Padalecki has built a multi-dimensional career as an actor, producer, advocate, and family man. His return in The Boys marks another exciting chapter in his evolving legacy.