Happy birthday Sam Winchester! (2024 Edition)

Today is the birthday of one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. He hasn’t been on my TV screen in almost four years, and I have missed him every single day since then – just like I’ve missed the show he was on, the one that changed my life, Supernatural. Every time I have the pleasure of seeing the actor who brought him to life so brilliantly, Jared Padalecki, it makes me incredibly happy to hear Jared say that he’s 99.99% sure that Sam Winchester will be back. And that until that happens, he’s keeping Sam safe, as a cherished part of himself.

I am so grateful – and walk around with my fingers and toes crossed all the time hoping for more Supernatural. It’s uncomfortable, but hey, this is important.

And so is Sam’s birthday! One of the great things about social media (and yes, there are plenty of not-so-great things too) is that whatever you’re celebrating, you probably won’t have to do it alone. Sam Winchester’s birthday is no exception. For the past five days, the SPN Family has been celebrating the smart, sassy, selfless, adorable and badass younger Winchester brother, me included.  (Thanks to DaenerysM on X/Twitter for organizing!)

So I thought I’d share here some of the things Supernatural fans appreciate so much about our beloved Sammy.

One of the things that impresses me the most about Sam is his ability to be selfless – to put others ahead of himself, to sacrifice himself to save someone else. That someone else is often his brother – and it definitely goes both ways – but sometimes it’s a stranger, or even humanity itself. Many of us will sacrifice a lot for a loved one, but for a stranger, or the amorphous “the sake of the world”? That’s a rarity. But it’s one of Sam’s most admirable characteristics.

Here are some posts that fans made about Sam’s ability to be selfless:

Even when Sam is dying, he tries to put others first.

Many fans cited “The Born Again Identity” as a great example. Look at my poor baby!

An instance of Sam’s selflessness that I love is “The Born Again Identity”. His hell PTSD is at its worst and he’s dying of sleep deprivation, yet he’s still helping people, helping a young girl who was being haunted by her dead brother.

Sam had SO many selfless acts, but this one is probably my fav, bc after a psychotic break causing by hallucinations, after getting hit by a car and getting drugs to try to sleep, Sam still helped someone, because it’s who he is.

He was dying. He was in constant torment thanks to Hallucifer. And he used the last dregs of his energy and sanity to save a girl, because Sam Winchester cares more about others than he ever has himself. 

The devil is in his head, Lucifer depriving him of sleep, tired beyond belief, and he still sees the danger that someone is in and helps them. My sweet brave Selfless Sam.

When he was dying in “Red Meat” he also was more concerned about others – in this case once again, strangers. (That episode was often cited for Sam being badass, but he’s selfless in it too).

Sam Winchester is the most selfless character like there’s a bullet in his gut but all he cares about is the victims, asks Dean to take care of them first and he knows he slows them down so he tells them to ditch him and find help, putting others b4 himself.

Season 8 ends with an episode called “Sacrifice”, which is all about Sam doing just that.

The heartbreaking sequence near the end when Dean tries to talk him out of it is one of my favorite scenes of the whole show, but Sam’s “So?” in response to Dean telling him if he does this he’ll die will never not make me tear up.

One fan noted:

Sam always sacrificed his own well-being for the greater good. he took on the tablet trials and put himself in front of people to protect them. his mind and body were used and abused time after time but he didn’t care. he was truly selfless

Sam was ready to sacrifice himself in Season 10 too, when it came right down to it in a showdown with Death, because Dean said that was the only way to make things right. He knelt down and told Dean to do it, but not before he tried to absolve his brother of the guilt he knew would destroy him. Fans quoted Sam saying this to Dean, and meaning it:

You will never ever hear me say that you — the real you — is anything but good. But you’re right. Before you hurt anyone else, you have to be stopped, at any cost. I understand. Do it.”

Both of the brothers put each other first in both small and major ways throughout the series, as fans noted. Starting right at the beginning with the pilot episode.

This moment where he decides to risk what to him is the perfect life to help his brother is also an incredibly selfless act. 

And continuing throughout the entire fifteen seasons.

Fans posted other examples, some of which bring tears to my eyes even now.

“You’re my big brother. There’s nothing i wouldn’t do for you.” These words are so true and perfectly describe Sam, the little brother who loves his big brother the most.

Fans also picked “A Very Supernatural Christmas” as evidence of Sam putting his own feelings aside to comfort his brother (one of my favorite episodes):

One of the many selfless things Sam did, was him giving Dean the Xmas evening he wished for, even though it was breaking Sam’s heart and killing him inside.

Fans of Supernatural notice everything, and appreciate all the small things that make a character compelling. Like these comments:

Sometimes it’s the little details throughout the series. Sam in the middle of getting away, but thanking the little girl for permitting him to pick her up. SW had so little bodily autonomy in his life, respecting it in others

It’s just the way he’s always so sweet to the victims in each episode, speaking so softly with them and listening to their story and not rushing them… ugh i love him

Sometimes Sam even managed to be selfless with the people/beings who had abused him – something most of us would not be able to do – and fans recognized how extraordinary that was.

Bringing Gabriel back to sanity… Sam Winchester, after everything that archangel did and he didn’t even pull the redemptive move you thought for years…I would have walked. You are FAR too good a fictional man.

And of course, there was Swan Song, as many fans noted:

That moment in Swan Song when he threw himself into the pit to save the world. There are so many less dramatic sacrifices – for his family, for strangers – but this one was almost incomprehensible in its scope.

When Sam sacrificed himself for the world in Swan Song and in the end he didn’t think of anything but to calm his brother that everything is going to be OK

Sam Winchester, the man who sacrificed himself for the sake of humanity, averting the Apocalypse  selfless.

Last but not least, perhaps Sam’s most selfless act was what he was able to do in the series finale, breaking the cycle of obsession with revenge that had plagued his family. Living, even without his brother. And raising a son who is not a hunter.

Keep living, keep fighting without his brother in order to respect one of his last will “no bringing me back” even though living without him was painful as hell

Lived the rest of his life for his brother. The grief is never ending, but so is the love.

So yes, Sam Winchester is selfless. He was also human, and a complicated nuanced character like all of the characters on Supernatural thanks to Kripke and company, so he wasn’t perfect. He wasn’t always selfless; he was real. He struggled. He loved his brother fiercely. And also could drive him crazy. What sibling can’t?

Which brings us to one of the other characteristics being celebrated: Sassy. Sam is sassy.

Very sassy.

Sometimes sassy is adorable.

Sam’s older brother is often the target of his best snarky sassiness.

Which is always a good thing for all of us.

Poor Dean (not really).

Sometimes sassy is sexy.

This category deserves lots of photos, because what’s better than Sam Winchester’s sassy face?? But there were also some classic lines.

From Tall Tales: It’s not food anymore, Dean, it’s Darwinism!

From 99 Problems: Dean, they basically just outlawed 90% of your personality!

From The French Mistake: Who wrote this? Nobody says penultimate!

(We know Sam Winchester probably says penultimate…)

Sassy Sam is one of my favorites. The first thing that came to mind for me was this, Sammy drunk and sassy and calling Dean short and bossy. I think Dean mostly appreciates Sam’s sass, but maybe not this time…

Other fans posted their favorites too.

We have a plethora of SassySam moments, but this one will always be my favorite. My dude… Sassy even in the face of Death. Literally.

One fan posted:

Well, we had a few sassy Sam moments and I love them all, but was there anyone sassier than Soulless Sam? 

Nobody was exempt from Sam’s sassiness though!

Not even the BMoL who were abusing him. Not random demons they were torturing. Not even Ronald!

I really love sassy Sam. There was also a cute category, which – I mean, obviously!

Sometimes it’s the sassy that’s so cute.

Sam was cute from the tall shaggy college kid in Season 1 all the way through to Season 15.

Those bangs!

(Edit lemondropsonice)

He even famously “cuted” his way out of being arrested, as one fan noted.

Who wouldn’t give in to this?

The week had to include another characteristic that Sam Winchester is definitely known for. There’s a reason we call him Sam Fucking Winchester! Because there is no denying Sam Winchester is badass.

Lots of fans immediately thought of the episode that I did when they think about badass Sam – “Red Meat”. Sam in that episode has got to be the definition of badass. It’s almost unbelievable what he endures in that episode, and still manages to save the day (and his brother) anyway. In fact, if it was anyone other than a Winchester, I wouldn’t believe it!

Here’s what some fans had to say about Sam in that episode.

This is sam fucking winchester!!!!! took a bullet, was then choked to death, and still managed to kill three werewolves, killed the fourth after he walked through the woods and drove himself to hospital

Gut shot with his brother’s gun. Bullet removed without pain meds. Choked. Body in shock. Left for dead (against Dean’s will). Killed two werewolves. Hiked to Baby & safety. Killed one last wolf. Saved his brother.

Kills 2 pure blooded werewolves by hand, walks miles to Baby, drives to town and kills the last werewolf to save Dean’s life. All while gravely injured (mostly dead). Can’t get any more BAMF. Or hot

I think that kinda says it all.

There were other episodes mentioned a lot too, including “Rock Never Dies” and that iconic scene of Sam Winchester managing to hold the doors open to save an entire room full of people all by himself.

Can we talk about sam holding those fucking doors open while LITERAL SATAN was trying to close them with his DEVIL MAGIC like HE DID THAT He’s Sam Fucking Winchester

Sam wielding that razor wire to kill another vamp, Gordon, (who had just bitten and almost killed Dean) was another badass moment that many people remembered.

Dean was so impressed he wanted to tell everyone about it!

Sam was also able to wield Thor’s hammer, and managed to shoot the Alpha Vamp, who gave him some grudging last minute respect with “Clever clever boy…” Several fans mentioned that scene.

The way sam was so clever to deceive the alpha (also mick playing the part) to kill him, and looking really hot doing it

Oh, and Sam wasn’t afraid to stand up to God either. More than once!

Several fans also mentioned Sam standing up to a bunch of demons, bearded and grief stricken but as badass as ever, and announcing “There will be no new King of Hell!”

And that they’d have to come through him first, which of course – nope!

Sam was tortured far too often over the course of 15 seasons, but he managed to stand up to his torturers repeatedly – and sometimes to prevail over them too, as one fan noted:

And while I do LOVE Sam’s empathy and kindness, I was very, very, (very) happy when he finally had enough of his abuser/Luci’s meat puppet, Nick.

There was also that memorable moment (Jared’s acting, whew!) when Sam came back to life after being killed by vampires only to find that it was due to Lucifer, and still stood up to him and demanded “What do you want?”

I get chills.

Even moreso because I had the privilege of being on set for some of the filming of this episode, including when Sam was killed by the vamps in the tunnels. I saw what Jared went through in that scene and how realistically bloodied he was after. I saw what Jensen went through portraying Dean’s anguish at hearing Sam calling for him and not being able to save him. So seeing what came after? Sam’s courage and resilience and badassery standing up to Lucifer afterwards? Damn. So yeah, I get chills.

He also killed a hellhound. Just saying.

But fans appreciate Sam’s badassery in other ways too. After all, being badass is not just about physical strength and prowess, though Sam has plenty of that.

I also enjoy Sam’s bad ass nerdiness, where he knows the lore or how to macgyver his way out of a situation

To me he is always badass for his intelligence, empathy, loyalty, wit & hunting skills.

Sam is strong and a total badass, how he stood up to his enemies and torturers and still kept his caring nature

To me, the most badass thing Sam ever did was to not become evil, to reject his ‘destiny’ to become king of hell, to remain the good, kind, and selfless big-damn-hero he was despite everything that happened to him. The ultimate bad-assery.

So true.

The penultimate day of #SamWinchesterWeek (sorry, I know, no one says penultimate) was a celebration of Sam’s relationships. As a brother, a friend, a confidante, a partner, a son, and a father.

There were many examples. One fan selected these as relationships they appreciated about Sam:

Brother: He loved Dean so much he carried on with his life and their legacy after he lost everything

Friend: He and Rowena connected in the worst way but also the best way for both of them

Son: He was able to tell John how he felt and get closure

There were so many important relationships, each of them showing us something else about Sam Winchester, letting us get to know this character that would become so important to so many people.

We got to see Sam’s love of Jessica, and how he grieved her loss.

We got to see his relationship with Eileen evolve, which gave Jared and Shoshannah Stern a chance to absolutely shine.

His complicated relationship with the mother he never knew when she came back to life and how hard he tried to connect with her was one of the most touching story lines.

Sometimes it broke my heart, but look at Sam’s face when he gets to finally be hugged by his mom.

His slowly evolving friendship with Cas, from being rejected as an abomination to two brothers in arms who had each other’s backs and respected each other, willing to forgive their missteps along the way, was compelling – enriched by the real life friendship and respect between Jared and Misha Collins.

His complex relationship with Rowena, and her respect for him even as she knew he had to be the one to kill her, was one of my favorite relationships on the show.

That episode was hard to watch, but brilliantly acted by Ruth Connell and Jared, and showed so well how far the two characters had come. How strong and fearless Sam could be, but what an emotional man he was – that was one of his strengths, and Rowena knew it.

We got to see the evolution of Sam as a son too, and how as an adult he and John came to an understanding, able to both express their love.

What a gift Sam got, to be able to reconnect with his father and have that opportunity.

We even got glimpses of Sam as a dad, from a father figure to Jack to parenting his actual son, carrying on after his brother’s death and breaking the cycle by being a good dad to his son.

And of course the entire show was special for its exploration and celebration of a relationship that isn’t often the main focus of a series, let alone for 15 years – the unique and compelling love between the brothers.

It’s so rare to see a platonic relationship be the powerful engine that drives a story, and I’m so grateful that’s what Supernatural did. I don’t think it would have worked if we didn’t have such brilliantly written characters in Sam and Dean, or such brilliant actors portraying them with Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, with so much chemistry. How lucky are we?

No wonder I want more.

So happy birthday Sam Winchester – thank you for being such an inspiration to so many of us, and embodying the message of “Always Keep Fighting”. (Thank you, Jared Padalecki, for embodying that message too – and for your beautiful chapter in Family Don’t End With Blood about exactly that).

I hope you’re having a blast up in Heaven, Sam – but I can’t wait for you to be back on my TV screen. Don’t make us wait too long!

–Lynn

You can read Jared Padalecki’s chapters

about Sam Winchester and his own experience

on Supernatural (along with Jensen and many

other cast members) in Family Don’t End

With Blood and There’ll Be Peace When You

Are Done – links on the home page or at: