Jensen Ross Ackles, born on March 1, 1978, in Dallas, Texas, is an American actor and musician best known for his portrayal of Dean Winchester in the long-running television series "Supernatural." Growing up in Richardson, Texas, he was influenced by his father, Alan Roger Ackles, who was also an actor.

Jensen Ackles initially planned to study sports medicine at Texas Tech University but decided to pursue acting instead. He moved to Los Angeles after graduating from high school in 1996.

He began his career with guest roles on television shows such as "Mr. Rhodes," "Sweet Valley High," and "Cybill." His big break came in 1997 when he was cast as Eric Brady on the NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives," a role that earned him several Daytime Emmy Award nominations. He continued to build his career with roles in "Dark Angel," where he played Ben/X5-493 and Alec/X5-494, and "Smallville," where he portrayed Jason Teague.

In 2005, he landed the role of Dean Winchester in "Supernatural," a show that would run for 15 seasons and make him a household name. His performance earned him numerous awards, including several People's Choice Awards and Teen Choice Awards. He also ventured into film, starring in "My Bloody Valentine 3D" and providing voice work for animated films like "Batman: Under the Red Hood" and "Batman: The Long Halloween."

His personal life is marked by his marriage to actress Danneel Harris in 2010. The couple has three children together. Outside of acting, he is known for his love of sports, particularly football and lacrosse, which he played in high school. He also enjoys singing and has performed at various conventions and events.

Throughout his career, Jensen Ackles has been recognized for his talent and versatility. He has won awards such as the Soap Opera Digest Award for Best Male Newcomer and the EWwy Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series. His best-known works include "Supernatural," "Days of Our Lives," "Dark Angel," and "Smallville."