Jared Padalecki was born in San Antonio, Texas on July 19, 1982. He first took acting lessons at age 12, and was a winner at the Fox talent competition Claim to Fame, which led to an appearance at 1999’s Teen Choice Awards. He moved to Los Angeles before graduating from high school in 2000, to pursue an acting career.
Padalecki’s first screen appearance was in the 1999 film A Little Inside. He was then cast in the television series Gilmore Girls, which starred Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. He played the role of Dean Forrester, introduced as the new kid in town during the show’s premiere, who immediately falls for Rory (Bledel) and becomes her first serious boyfriend. They develop a closeness which leads to an affair, even if he is married to Lindsay Lister (Arielle Kebbel). He was a regular character in the first three seasons, and became a recurring character in the last two seasons. He continued appearing in television movies such as Silent Witness, A Ring of Endless Light and Young MacGyver.
Padalecki had an uncredited role in the 2003 comedy Cheaper by the Dozen. He then appeared in New York Minute, which starred Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. In 2005, he appeared opposite Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael Murray and Paris Hilton in the horror flick House of Wax.
That same year, Padalecki was cast as Sam Winchester in the television series Supernatural. His character is the younger between the Winchester brothers (the other played by Jensen Ackles), and the more sensitive, rational and innocent among the two. Despite joining his brother in hunting demons, he yearns to live a simpler life.
Padalecki is also currently the host of MTV’s Room 401, a reality show co-produced by Punk’d’s Ashton Kutcher, which puts unsuspecting people in the middle of scary pranks.
Favorite band is Our Lady Peace.
Favorite food is cheeseburger with mustard lettuce and tomato.
His favorite movie is Good Will Hunting (1997).
Favorite book is "The Great Gatsby".
Favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate chip cookie dough.
Weekend attire is t-shirt, jeans, tennis shoes, or anything that's comfortable.
He and his Supernatural co-star Jensen Ackles were voted People Magazine's "Sexiest Ghostbusters" in 2005.
2007- Nominated for Teen Choice Award
Choice TV Actor: Drama
For: "Supernatural" (2005)
2005- Nominated for Teen Choice Award
Choice Movie Breakout Performance - Male
For: "House of Wax" (2005)
2002- Nominated for Teen Choice Award
TV - Choice Actor, Drama
For: "Gilmore Girls" (2000)
Gilmore Girls (2000-2005).....Dean Forester
Flight of the phoenix (2004)........Davis
House of wax (2005).......Wade
Cry Wolf (2005)........Tom
Supernatural (2005-2008)....Sam Winchester
Thomas Kinkade's Home for Christmas (2008) (completed)....Thomas Kinkade
Friday The 13th (2009) (filming)....Clay
"Anywhere I can be with my family" - Jared on the happiest place on earth.
When asked about his superstitions: "Whenever I drive under a yellow light, I always kiss my finger and tap it on the roof of the car. And I do that when I get onto a plane as well!"
"I'm so happy with my family, my career and my friends, and I'd like for them to be here forever, so I guess loss is what scares me the most. - On the thing that scares him the most.
"I'm a little self-conscious about my body. I love to wear hoodies because you can get cozy and eat some food and your belly doesn't show!"
On love: "Don't place expectations on someone. Enjoy the time you have together, and let it go where it goes."
"I love cookies baking. During the winter, they have these candles that smell like cookies, and I always buy like a hundred of them."
"My drama coach gave me a lot of self-confidence when I wasn't sure of myself."
"Just be yourself and the right guy will come along, whether it be today, tomorrow, or next year. It'll happen!"