Interview

Jensen Ackles

TV Tattler (AOL Television)
May 11, 2007

Jensen Ackles: "The obvious reason is the difference between the paranormal shows that are on right now. They're more about the mysterious and the unknown, whereas ours is much more of a horror genre show. We're more of a thriller show, as opposed to just a paranormal show. "

Q: And I know 'Supernatural' fans are pretty dedicated. Have you ever had a run-in with an overzealous fan?

Ackles: "They've all been very cool. Next week, I'm headed to London for the first-ever 'Supernatural' convention. So I'm anxiously awaiting that to see how we're received there. But the fans have been great. When we started, we knew the show was going to be hit or miss, and we needed to find a core audience to really make us survive. And I think we've been able to do that."

Q: Your show airs against 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'CSI,' which is tough.

Ackles: "It doesn't get much harder than that. Maybe they could throw 'American Idol' into the mix." [Laughs]

Q: Since you shoot in the show in Canada, how do you not end up leading parallel lives both there and in Los Angeles. Or do you?

Ackles: "I don't, but it's very difficult. If Jared and I didn't work as much as we did, we might be able to keep somewhat of a life going in L.A. We literally put our lives on hold for nine months out of the year. It's tough. I spent the last week of my hiatus just dusting my house. It's a sacrifice, but it's a good problem to have."

Q: Do you and your co-star Jared Padalecki hang out when you aren't shooting, or do you get enough of each other at work?

Ackles: "Oddly enough, we have such crazy schedules that if we want to hang out outside of work with anybody, it's usually going to be the one of us. We get off at 3 in the morning, and we don't work until 4 in the afternoon. Our schedule is much different than anybody else, so we do hang out quite a bit -- especially with the crew guys, too. It's become a pretty tight knit family."

Q: I read that Jared sometimes gets scared on the set.

Ackles: "No, no. He's a big boy. He may have said that in the early stages. I think we've totally become desensitized since we deal with it so much. I think it probably gives us a false sense of confidence in our real lives. If I'm by myself in my house and hear something go bang, I'll pop right up and think, 'Well, if it is what I think it is, I'm going to know how to deal with it.'"

Q: So you don't believe really in the supernatural?

Ackles: "I don't really. I like to believe there's much more of a logical explanation for things, but I don't think I'd ever rule it out completely."

Q: Why do you think so many of the roles you've played have centered on the paranormal?

Ackles: "That's a great question. It's been no fault of mine, I would say. I think it's become such an interest point in entertainment of the last five or ten years. I think it's just been luck of the draw. "

Q: In last week's episode -- when your character was transported to a perfect life alongside your girlfriend and with Sam in law school -- how difficult was it for you to change gears?

Ackles: "That was a pretty tough episode for me. After two seasons of playing a character, you develop these comfort zones. I am able to fall into playing Dean very easily because I do it so often. It was difficult for me as a character and actor being taken out of that comfort zone and having to play in a world I was completely unfamiliar with. When you see the episode, it doesn't even look like 'Supernatural.' You think you're watching a 'Gilmore Girls' for crying out loud. It's a happy, lively looking show and putting in a character who is used to being in a dark, seedy environment really took me out of my element."

Q: When you were guest starring on 'Dawson's Creek,' did you ever think Katie Holmes would marry Tom Cruise and become a flash point for media attention?

Ackles: [Laughs] "Uh, no. I mean, you never know with these things. Who knows what goes on in this crazy Hollywood world? It's almost a blessing that I get to work in Vancouver because I stay away from all that crap."

Q: So you try to keep it real.

Ackles: "Yeah, I'm just not into all of that. I see all the red carpet paparazzi stuff and I'm like, "Really? Do I have to?!" I like to work and I know that's part of the job. But you kind of take it in stride."

Q: But at what cost to your career? I'm sure agents, managers and publicists would love to see you in 'US Weekly' more often.

Ackles: "It's not a strong position I hold against any of that, and at some point it's fun. It's fun to get dressed up and take your girlfriend to a big event somewhere. But for the most part, I work so hard that I want to spend my off-time just for me. I think that people are very much in control of how much they are in the public eye. You see these pictures of guys with their shirts off running through Malibu, but they know what they're doing. I think it's silly to think they're just getting caught by the cameras. If you put yourself out there, you're going to get your picture taken."

Source: TV Tattler

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