Jared Padalecki was 23 when he joined Supernatural, and the show ran for 15 seasons. By the time it ended, he was 38. Both Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, who played Sam and Dean Winchester, were young when it all began.
Over the years, they grew up, got married, and started families while the show’s loyal fans kept it going. At MEGACON Orlando, Padalecki talked about the sacrifices he made for Supernatural, according to CBR.
Padalecki: “I think 20 years ago today, we were shooting the pilot. There were a lot of sacrifices. There’s been a lot of sh*t. But in hindsight, I’m so grateful to the [fans] because I was public with what I was going through and you were all supportive.”
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At the convention, other Supernatural stars joined Jared Padalecki, including Mark Sheppard (Crowley), Ruth Connell (Rowena), Jim Beaver (Bobby Singer), Alexander Calvert (Jack Kline), DJ Qualls (Garth Fitzgerald), Samantha Smith (Mary Winchester), and Genevieve Padalecki (Ruby).
When asked how the show impacted their lives, Padalecki shared both the tough and positive moments.
I think 20 years ago today, we were shooting the pilot, There were a lot of sacrifices. There’s been a lot of sh*t.
he said
Padalecki added, “But in hindsight, I’m so grateful to the [fans] because I was public with what I was going through and you were all supportive.” He has always been open about his battle with depression. He even launched the “Always Keep Fighting” campaign to support different non-profits that help people facing depression.
One of the most famous lines from Supernatural is “saving people, hunting things, the family business.” It was part of the show’s early season intros and stayed a key phrase throughout. This line became true in real life too, as the actors formed close bonds.
Padalecki even met his wife, Genevieve Padalecki (formerly Cortese), on the show when she played the second Ruby after Katie Cassidy’s version. They met in 2008, started dating, and got married in 2009. They now have three kids. Interestingly, they aren’t the only couple from the show, which proves another famous line: “family don’t end in blood.”
At the convention, DJ Qualls shared how Supernatural changed his life. “This job changed my life the most. My partner is from the show,” he said. He got engaged to Ty Olsson, who played Benny the vampire, after meeting at a series convention. They became friends first and revealed their relationship in 2024.
I went from being a terrible mother on the show to being an actual mother because of the show.
Ruth Connell added,
Connell, who played Rowena, Crowley’s mom, is dating Rob Benedict, who played Chuck/God. They had a daughter in 2024. Thanks to the show, Mark Sheppard met his wife, Sarah Louise Fudge, at a convention. Although she wasn’t part of the cast, they fell in love.
Jensen Ackles even brought his real-life wife, Danneel Ackles (formerly Harris), onto the show as Sister Jo/Anael. They married in 2010 while he was on Supernatural. He also introduced Jeffrey Dean Morgan to Danneel’s One Tree Hill co-star Hilarie Burton, and they’ve been together since 2009.
Source: CBR