Every year when March 1st rolls around and it’s Jensen Ackles’ birthday once again, I find myself feeling grateful that the man who brought to life two of my favorite fictional characters ever (aka Dean Winchester and Soldier Boy) is happy and healthy and enriching our lives with his creative presence. This year is no exception – whether it was playing a part as a talented actor, entertaining us at a convention, showing off his great form at the golf course, hyping some Supe Juice at the brewery or just selfies with family, friends and fans, I’m grateful for everything he shared with us this past year.
So let’s celebrate Jensen Ackles heading into his 46th year with a little look back at some of the highlights of his 45th!
March was the finale of The Winchesters, which saw the return of Dean Winchester, defying the laws of God (Chuck) and time to defeat an enemy threatening an alternate universe John and Mary – and ultimately Dean’s little brother, still alive in the universe of Supernatural we know and love. We all know Dean will do whatever it takes to save Sam, and he proved it once again – even after he was already settled into Heaven!
The spring saw Jensen roadtripping across the country with Clif to join his family in a new house in Connecticut, which gave us some travel glimpses along the way. Hopefully they’re having a blast renovating the house and enjoying the East coast weather for a change of pace.
In the spring, I was lucky enough to go to some conventions in the US, including the one in New Orleans in May. One of my favorite cities in the world.
Jensen showed off his “model poses” much to everyone’s amusement.
In June it was my hometown con in New Jersey – Jared couldn’t be there, so we had Jeffrey Dean Morgan joining Jensen for the gold panel, which is always a treat.
As the weather got warmer back in Austin, our favorite brewery owner did some advertising for Family Business, including the new Supe Juice. Very effective advertising, I might add.
July was Chicago con. Always one of my favorites, because Chicago 2007 was my very first Supernatural convention. How has it been 16 years??? I inevitably feel very nostalgic at this con, which somehow makes it better.
Also, Jensen in short sleeves! Tattoo!
August there were cons in San Francisco and Charlotte. Cannot go wrong with Jensen in black, just saying.
Jared and Jensen borrowing a fan’s phone and then proceeding to be absolutely befuddled by it was hilarious – and their enjoyment and laughter were contagious.
Charlotte was extra fun because so many of my friends were there – also, Jensen looks amazing in green. Again, just saying.
This one was dubbed Spatula Con. Just because.
We even got all of Team Free Will onstage – Jared, Jensen and Misha all together for some shenanigans.
We got a few more summer photos – of Jensen working on the new house (and making Supernatural jokes), soaking up the Austin summer heat, and doing some Family Business Beer outreach for a lucky family at the brewery.
In the fall we were treated to more of Jensen as Soldier Boy on The Boys spinoff, Gen V. I am SO enamored of the surprisingly complex and appealing (even if he shouldn’t be) character that Jensen created in Soldier Boy, and was beyond thrilled to see him again.
Everyone who thought Dean Winchester didn’t realistically swear enough on Supernatural (or just plain get filthy enough) got their wish with this appearance of Soldier Boy, that’s for sure!
Shortly after that, the new book I co-edited on The Boys (Supes Ain’t Always Heroes) was published, after delaying it in solidarity with the writers’ strike. The book includes an exclusive interview with Jensen in which he shares his inspiration for Soldier Boy and some of his experiences on The Boys, and several chapters taking a deep dive analysis into the character and what makes him tick. It benefits Venice Family Clinic, a non profit near and dear to showrunner of The Boys (and Supernatural creator) Eric Kripke.
It does make more sense if you read it right side up tho, gotta say.
In September was DC con, which will be forever known as Kristacon. It was the last con for my friend Krista, who passed away a short while later. It was a bittersweet con, for the cast and the fans, but it was also full of joy and a celebration of a person who had become special to all of us. Jensen sang at the Saturday Night Special, a night of Krista’s favorites.
Near the end of the concert, Jensen joined Louden Swain, his fellow actors, and the Creation staff for a kazoo tribute, followed by lots of hugs. The relationship this cast has with the fans is unique and touching, and I love seeing how much they genuinely care.
November was a special convention for me – I missed it last time, but this time I went to the Hawaii con. It’s impossible not to have a great time when you’re in Hawaii, and we all definitely did!
Jensen performing with Louden Swain at the Saturday Night Special, under the palm trees with the ocean behind, was incredibly special. To say he was in total rockstar mode is not an exaggeration. I mean, look at him!
As 2023 drew to a close, there was one more convention in 2023 at Nashville. The boys were in a great mood and there was so much laughter throughout the Jared and Jensen panels.
Oh, and Jensen thoroughly enjoyed the holiday sweater Jared traded with a fan for.
This one also gave us the priceless ‘photo shoot’ of Jensen, Jared, Misha and Rob with their hair in pigtails, in various moods as a result. Seriously, priceless.
We got some photos from the European cons in 2023 too – though I wasn’t there, I am always grateful for the photos that are shared (including this one shared by Jensen with a shout out to Jared aka Moose).
We also got to see Jensen and Danneel together at some panels at Starfury in the spring.
And there were lots of pretty pretty pictures from the Jus in Bello cons in Rome per usual.
Jensen and Jared clearly in their rockstar era – and I am SO here for it! (Yes, I am firmly in the pleeeeeeeeeeease do not cut your hair Jensen camp!)
And then… it was 2024!
Jensen was nominated for an Astra Award in January for Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Drama Series for his role as Soldier Boy, and though he didn’t win, pretty sure we were all exclaiming “about time” for the nomination – which he definitely should have lots more of!
In January, we got some great pics from the golf course as Jensen headed to the Sony Open in Hawaii. Who wouldn’t want to golf on that course, and who wouldn’t want to take a thousand photos of Jensen Ackles when he’s playing it??
A blurry shot of his hat of choice set off alot of speculation about when we’ll see Jensen on our screens next… Hmmmm…
And last month, we got more Jensen-in-action shots, this time from the Players in Florida.
And some priceless jokes about Jensen’s two balls…
Who knows what 2024 will bring for Jensen Ackles? There’s the production company he shares with Danneel, with as yet unknown projects in the pipeline. There’s more of Jensen as the voice of Batman coming up soon.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the many times he’s said over the past year that he’s looking forward to WHEN he and Jared put their boots back on as Sam and Dean, so I’ll continue to hope for more Supernatural (probably until the end of time).
Season 4 of The Boys begins airing in June, and I’m hoping we’ll get a glimpse of Soldier Boy again by the time that season finale airs. Pretty sure that’s not a baseless hope…
And then, of course, there’s The Boys Season 5…
Anyway, lots to look forward to for Mr. Ackles and his fans. Here’s to 46!
gifs justjensenanddean
– Lynn
You can find links to Supes Ain’t Always Heroes and our
Supernatural books by the actors and fans, Family Don’t
End With Blood and There’ll Be Peace When You Are Done,
on the home page here. More info on Supes at
https://smartpopbooks.com/book/supes-aint-always-heroes/
More info on the Supernatural books at:
Thanks Lynn for a great look back at the last year. And Happy Birthday Jensen!!
Great pics as always! I am glad Jensen has moved nearer to me (I live in Maine lol) and my friend in CT said that her hairdresser told her that Danneel had visited the salon. OMG!
I can’t help but wonder though, won’t the Padalecki and Ackles families be missing each other? 🙁
Although I imagine they could fly out for visits any time they like.
They seem to be going back and forth quite a bit, which is probably easier for them than for most of us!
I heard their main home is still Austin, during school year, but in the hot summer they will mostly be in CT, when they’re not traveling.
I can’t see either moving so far from their families permanently. And they love TX.
Happy Belated Birthday Jensen!!! Thanks for the great article!