Jared Padalecki sprung onto tv screens as Rory’s sweet boyfriend, Dean, in Gilmore Girls. He moved his way up from roles in New York Minute and Cheaper By The Dozen to to House of Wax and Cry Wolf. Now he is kicking butt, along with Jensen Ackles, in Supernatural.

Read the Feature: here

I'm one of those who claims that 'Jensen is better than Jared'. I'm not going to apologize for that. But by that I don't mean to attack Jared, or to imply that he's a bad actor. Not at all. I respect him. I think he has talent. And he sure has the charisma and the chram. Saying that, Jensen is better, in my opinion.

I agree with what you said, about Jensen having scored more points in terms of being out there. He's also older then Jared. He's in the business for a lot longer.
And Jared has grown up. I think he may actually grew up during 'Supernatural' alone.

When talking about 'Supernatural', then Jared is one of the main reasons the show became a hit. I think everyone agree here. Both Jensen and Jared have to be at the top of their game. None of them is flying solo here. If Jensen looks good, Jared has a hand in it. And vice-versa. And if Dean is the more lovable brother (as it seems from different internet polls), then part of it is no doubt due to Sam.

I'm talking as Jensen's fan, but in no way are my words the opinion of Jensen's fans around the world.
I think that the main reason I believe Jensen is better then Jared can be summarized in one word: Alec. The character who captured his fans heart. Or so I think.
Alec was a complicated character. As complicated as a character can be. And Jensen just nailed it. He owns Alec. The performance that he gave in 'The Berrisford Agenda' was the final proof, if anyone needed one.

Yes, Jensen has been around for longer than Jared. But when he played Alec, he was pretty much the same age Jared is now. Will 'Supernatural' be Jared's 'Dark Angel'? I guess only time will tell. But for me, 'Dark Angel' established Jensen's status as an amazing actor. For me, X5-494 is the proof that there really is no role this actor can't play. For me, Alec is what makes Jensen a lot better then Jared.

No need to apologize sweety We are all entitled to our own opinions, that's what makes it an interesting (and confusing) world to live in. It's good to know you're not attacking Jared, but then again I didn't think you would Unless you wanted an all out war with me I'm just kidding! I love Jensen too, but you love him more...like I love Jared more I can see how Jensen is perceived to be better, but thatz the whole reason I wrote the article...to open people's eyes to Jared too. I think Jensen overshadows him at times.



Something I've been meaning to ask at the Supernatural board but keep forgetting is how come Jared's name appears first if Jensen is longer in the business and perceived to be the better actor. I'm not saying he isn't. Just in terms of being out there, you know. And you're right, Supernatural is definitely where Jared has done all his growing up If you look back to his Gilmore Girls days, you wouldn't say it's the same person.



Aww, that is a nice way to put it I think the reason so many people vote for Jensen is that he is more in your face than Jared, which is part of his charm. And his shows have been more popular and they were in more genres. Even though GG had a following, Jared's character Dean was not very strong. He was an unstable character, in terms of development. But Supernatural's Sam is a much better grounding than GG's Dean.



I watched DA but for the life of me, I can't remeber Alec...I must not have followed the whole series. I just remeber Jessica Alba. I should get the DVDs, so I can really see what you mean. Hopefully Supernatural will do for Jared what DA did for Jensen, but if not...I'll still love him I need to get in touch with Alec. And you're right, Jensen is an amazing actor! Sometimes people think I don't like him but I do

Thanks for your comments lyric, I enjoyed reading it And it's nice to know what people think about what you write and like feedback...good and bad. Makes me a better writer. So any criticism is welcome!

I hadn't heard of either Jensen or Jared before Supernatural, I'd never seen either of them in anything. And alot of people are in the same boat.

I feel rather confident in saying if Jensen is getting more fan attention it's not because he's been around longer. Jared had plenty of very recent fans from 5 years on Gilmore Girls as one of the two main characters love interest, whereas Jensen's had supporting roles(not even usually secondary supporting roles but sort of that 3rd level) on a few shows which lasted just a season. He usually didn't get more than 5 minutes of screentime in the Smallville episodes, he didn't get much as CJ in Dawson Creek and even on Dark Angel--the amount of time he got was sporadic.

It's a little unfair to make out like somehow Jensen's portrayal of Dean didn't earn the attention mostly on it's own. It was apparently Alec on Dark Angel that got some people's attention(and now having seen some of his episodes I can understand why--he didn't always get much but he did alot with it and when they did give him a chance to shine in The Berrisford Agenda he was amazing) but he was around Jared's age then and he seemed to manage well garnering notice--despite hot Jessica Alba and more experienced and rather handsome in his right Michael Weatherly.

But this was the only thing in the article that bothered me, because for the rest, we all have our favorites and defend them : "...he has a lot of things going for him: smouldering good looks, attitude and all that jazz. "

Does he not have talent going for him as well? Dean has attitude, Jensen in interviews is usually pretty quiet and reserved with a dry sense of humor. Good looks are never going to keep me around for more than a couple episodes of any show. Jensen's shown he is very capable of being subtle and sensitive in his portrayal of Dean(and even of Alec way back in 2002), he often underplays things as opposed to going over the top. I'm thinking the last scene in the motel room in Salvation for example when he's trying to convince Sam not to get himself killed for revenge--alot of actors would have went over the top with it or played it up alot more, but Jensen took it down, kept it controlled and it was all the more powerful a scene for it, imo.

You're forgetting 'Days of Our Lives'. Love soap operas or not, he was on one of the most watched soap operas for three years.

We talked about it on Jensen's board, and it was mentioned, among other things, that it brought him world recognition. Yes, GG probably did the same for Jared, but since Jensen started playing Eric... 9 years ago? I'd think the amount of time that he's around does play some part in it. He has a fanbase that goes with him for quite some time.

And I do believe that DOOL helped him to evolve as an actor. He had a great school in his first years of acting.

It's not exactly that. I don't think that Jensen's fans came to see Alec. But it was impossible NOT to find Alec there.

We know that Jensen was brought in to play Sam, but felt that Dean was the character for him. And after all, both Alec and Dean are Jensen. And they do share some similarities. So I don't think it was surprising that we saw Alec in Dean. But it wasn't for long. If you'll follow different discussions, in the beginning it was almost a repeated line. Alec! (and even Ben). But with time, Alec isn't mentioned. I don't think it's because he's not there, but because there's so much more to Dean.

We've never touched it, but maybe it has to do with the way both characters are written? I mean, both Jensen and Jared have their own fanbases, people who follow then for years. But as ma_belle said, not all of Supernatural's viewers have seen them prior to Supernatural. Yet, it does seem (or so I think) that Dean draws more attention. 'Alec' could have played in Jensen's favor for a certain amount of time. Not for an entire season, no matter how an amazing character he was (and he was!).

Somehow, this seems to appear the main thrust of my argument but it wasn't. It was just a by the way comment.



Jensen was not the focus even tho I love him



Sure he has talent, but I wasn't saying that he doesn't have it. I can't comment on "Something Wicked", since I've only watched up to "Faith". And isn't it interesting how this article is about Jared and the focus has shifted to Jensen? That is the point I was trying to make



I'm confused...was that directed at you or me, lyric? I think you, because I didn't insinuate anything about Alec as far as I can remember.




I didn't know this, you know I don't see Dean playing Sam, you know...but who knows. That said, I don't see Sam playing Dean either.

I took it as directed to me, since I was the one pressing the 'Alec' issue.

I'll try to find where he had said it...

^ Thanks

Okay, Vicki had posted it a while back. It's from the Paley. Just click here. Jensen talks about reading for Sam, but thinking Dean is cool, and so learning his lines (Dean's) as well.

ETA: This is such a funny interview! I love Jared and Jensen together They are hilarious! Thanks again for posting the link

I'm one of those to favor Jensen over Jared, Dean over Sam. There are many many reasons. And those I will be proud to list three of the most important reasons, just as soon as I say this: if you're such a Jensen fan, then why didn't you do an article against Jared? There are just as many Jared fans as Jensen fans, I have checked all over. If not an equal amount, then people care for Jared more. So let me ask you this one little question, why didn't you write an article about both of them, then?

List of reasons why Jensen is better than Jared:
1. Jensen has always been the better actor. Whether it was when he started off in an episode of Wishbone in 1995, that is verses Jared's role as Dean in Gilmore Girls... whether that was his first credit or not. So it's not exactly that he has had more experience, though it may look that way- it's that he simply has more talent. SO much talent that throughout TV shows he's done, or the couple of movies, I always have to tell myself that he's just an actor because I keep forgetting. Except in Jared's case, I know he's acting because you can just tell. I tell you that Jensen is the Johnny Depp of TV.
2. Jensen is simply more attractive. In 2005 he won Playboy's Hottest Man of the Year award, now he's TV guide's top ten. Not to mention there were some other awards in there. Now I know looks are not everything, but I have found that usually the only reason people think Jared is more attractive is because he's 6"4'. Jensen's 6"1', which I think is the most perfect hight. Not to mention Jensen has those football shoulders, hazel eyes, brown hair, nice body and perfect grin. He's the kind of guy you would love to take to the prom... well, if he wasn't 29.
3. Jensen seems very very down to earth. In an interview he said that his biggest fear was becoming too 'Hollywood'. He does not want it to change who he is. He does not want to be so famous. He wants to be able to listen to the music he loves- Lynrd Skynrd and Garth Brookes. Watch the TV he loves... yadda yadda yadda. He just wants to be him. Jared's just simply scared of loss- and he wears hoodies because he enjoys eating and if you wear a hoodie, you can eat as much as you want and your stomach won't show. That kind of insecurity is the kind that only some jackass who thinks he's the best would admit to. If he was that down to earth- he wouldn't care. Jensen's just the type of guy that you want so badly to meet because you want to talk to him about the world, and see what he thinks, or see what he's like in actual person. I'm not so sure about Jared- I'm actually kind of scared to meet him because he might be the most selfish pretty boy on the face of this planet.

And don't blame me, I just sincerely believe that it is pretty dumb to say how much you support Jared like that- the way you did- and yet contradict yourself. Except, I do like Jared. Just not as much. And how can you if there's Jensen who's like that? Sometimes, I just feel like doing this to Jared fans ----->

ACK! Okay... I reread it. I was being a bit... harsh. Okay, not a bit- people should lock me up behind bars for saying things that mean. *Deleting the smashing smiley* There we go. Sorry guys, I get really really overprotective over Jensen. Everywhere I go I see that people love Jared so much more, and I don't know... gets to me (I know that sounds dumb- but I really am a very VERY big HUGE fan). Hope people out there somewhere can find the heart to forgive an overprotective fan who was acting like a female dog (but it will not happen again- EVER... promise.) I'm done... and I feel really bad. I remember reading it over about ten times before I posted it, though it didn't seem like that, but as I read it now... wow. So, yeah, sorry all you Jared fans out there.

We all get passionate about our favorites, and occasionally even lose a little perspective. It happens - we're human. But it's great of you to offer the apology (and no, we're not going to lock you up for it *lol*).

I still strongly encourage anyone who has a differing opinion to write an article - there's no reason your views/voice shouldn't be heard, too. We want something legitimate, of course, but a differing opinion is not a bad thing - it's just how we express it, as you say.

To Mysterous Brunette. First you said there are as many Jared fans as Jensen ones, now you'resaying Jared is much more popular. What do you mean?

Very great~!
Keep up the great work~!

Based on my unofficial survey and pool on people around me, the score of Jared and Jensen is 1:5. hey, many likes the image of bad and naughty kid rite?

Me? I prefer the ghoust and ghouls..