Jared Padalecki Biography: Age, Wife, Children, Movies & TV Shows, Net Worth, Height

Jared Padalecki, a charismatic American actor, is best known for his iconic role as Sam Winchester in the long-running supernatural drama Supernatural (2005–2020) and as Cordell Walker in Walker (2021–2024).

With a career spanning over two decades, he has become a household name in television, captivating audiences with his emotional depth and versatility in both drama and horror genres.

Profile

• Full Name: Jared Tristan Padalecki
• Stage Name: Jared Padalecki
• Born: July 19, 1982
• Age: 42 years old
• Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor, Producer
• Height: 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m)
• Parents: Gerald Padalecki, Sharon Kammer
• Siblings: Jeff Padalecki, Megan Padalecki
• Spouse: Genevieve Padalecki (m. 2010)
• Children: Thomas Colton Padalecki, Austin Shepherd Padalecki, Odette Elliott Padalecki
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $13 million to $14 million USD

Early Life and Education

Jared Tristan Padalecki was born on July 19, 1982, in San Antonio, Texas, USA, to Gerald Padalecki, a tax accountant, and Sharon Kammer, a high school English teacher. Growing up in a supportive family with an older brother, Jeff, and a younger sister, Megan, Jared developed an early interest in performing arts, inspired by his father’s encouragement to pursue acting after winning a monologue competition at age 12. Of Polish, German, English, Scottish, and French descent, he was raised in a Catholic household, though his current religious beliefs are not publicly specified.

Jared attended James Madison High School in San Antonio, where he excelled academically and competitively, winning the National Forensic League’s speech and debate championship in 1998 and earning a Presidential Scholars Award in 2000. Initially planning to attend the University of Texas at Austin with a full academic scholarship, he instead moved to Los Angeles after high school graduation in 2000 to pursue acting, having won the Fox “Claim to Fame” contest, which led to his role in A Little Inside (1999).

Career

Jared Padalecki launched his acting career with his film debut as Matt Nelson in A Little Inside (1999). He gained early recognition with a recurring role as Dean Forester in Gilmore Girls (2000–2005), appearing in 63 episodes as Rory Gilmore’s first love interest. His breakout role came in 2005 as Sam Winchester in The CW’s Supernatural, a supernatural drama that ran for 15 seasons and 327 episodes, co-starring Jensen Ackles.

The series, which became a cultural phenomenon, solidified his status as a television star, and he also served as an executive producer in later seasons. During Supernatural, Jared starred in films like New York Minute (2004) with the Olsen twins, House of Wax (2005) with Elisha Cuthbert and Paris Hilton ($68 million box office), Cry Wolf (2005), and Friday the 13th (2009) as Clay Miller ($91 million). He played Thomas Kinkade in Christmas Cottage (2008) and voiced characters in Phantom Boy (2015).

Post-Supernatural, he starred as Cordell Walker in Walker (2021–2024), a reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger, and served as an executive producer. Other TV credits include ER (2001), Room 401 (2007), and Kings of Con (2017). Jared appeared in music videos, including Diamond Rio’s “I Believe” (2002) and Turin Brakes’ “Pain Killer” (2003). His recent projects include starring in and producing Walker: Independence (2022–2023). With over 25 years in the industry, Jared remains a prominent figure in television, blending acting with producing to expand his creative influence.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @jaredpadalecki
• Facebook Handle: Jared Padalecki
• Twitter Handle: @jarpad
• YouTube Channel: Unknown
• TikTok Handle: @jaredpadalecki

Personal Life

Jared Padalecki, 43, is married to actress Genevieve Padalecki (née Cortese), whom he met on the set of Supernatural in 2008. They married on February 27, 2010, in Sun Valley, Idaho, and have three children: Thomas Colton (b. March 19, 2012), Austin Shepherd (b. December 22, 2013), and Odette Elliott (b. March 17, 2017). The family splits time between Austin, Texas, and Vancouver, Canada.

Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing approximately 220 lbs (100 kg), Jared has brown hair, hazel eyes, and an athletic build. Previously, he dated Sandra McCoy from 2005 to 2008, his co-star in Cry Wolf, and was rumored to have dated Alexis Bledel during Gilmore Girls. A fitness enthusiast, he enjoys basketball, soccer, and horseback riding, and has spoken openly about his struggles with anxiety and depression, launching the “Always Keep Fighting” campaign to support mental health awareness.

Filmography:

• A Little Inside (1999) – Matt Nelson
• New York Minute (2004) – Trey Lipton
• House of Wax (2005) – Wade ($68 million)
• Cry Wolf (2005) – Tom
• Flight of the Phoenix (2004) – Supporting Role
• House of Fears (2007) – Supporting Role
• Christmas Cottage (2008) – Thomas Kinkade
• Friday the 13th (2009) – Clay Miller ($91 million)
• Phantom Boy (2015) – Additional Voices

Television:

• Gilmore Girls (2000–2005) – Dean Forester (63 episodes)
• ER (2001) – Paul Harris
• Silent Witness (2002) – Sam
• Room 401 (2007) – Host
• Supernatural (2005–2020) – Sam Winchester (327 episodes)
• Kings of Con (2017) – Guest Role
• Walker (2021–2024) – Cordell Walker
• Walker: Independence (2022–2023) – Guest Role/Producer

Music Videos:

• “I Believe” (2002) – Diamond Rio
• “Pain Killer” (2003) – Turin Brakes

Net Worth

Jared Padalecki has an estimated net worth of $13 million to $14 million USD. His wealth is primarily derived from his long-running role in Supernatural, where he earned approximately $125,000 per episode in later seasons, totaling over $40 million for the series.