Jared Padalecki Biography

Jared Padalecki scored the role or Rory Gilmore's first boyfriend on Gilmore Girls.

Courtesy of The WB

Birthdate: July 19, 1982

Rumor has it Jared Padalecki and Alexis Bledel are boyfriend and girlfriend in real life.

Courtesy of The WB

Jared Padalecki's Beginnings

Jared Padalecki grew up in San Antonio, Texas where he lived with his parents - Sherri and Jerry - and his siblings, Jeff and Megan Padalecki. When Jared Padalecki was 12, he decided to start taking acting lessons. Later, while attending Madison High School in San Antonio, Jared entered a contest - and it changed his life.

Jared Padalecki and the Teen Choice Awards

At 17, Jared Padalecki entered and won a contest called Claim to Fame. The prize included going to the Teen Choice Awards, carrying the trophies up to the stage, and escorting all the celebrities off stage. It was a dream come true for Jared Padalecki. While at the awards show, Jared caught the interest of Freddie Prinze Jr.'s agent - who signed Jared almost immediately.

Jared Padalecki Moves to Stars Hollow

After graduating high school in 2000, Jared thought about going to the University of Texas, but changed his mind when he auditioned for a new WB show called Gilmore Girls. Padalecki won the role of Dean Forester, Rory Gilmore's first boyfriend, and moved to LA.

Jared Padalecki's New York Minute

Though, he may be best known for playing the reliable and honest Dean on Gilmore Girls, Jared Padalecki is slowly snagging many more parts in movies and TV. He's played a bully in Cheaper by the Dozen and now he's playing Trey in A New York Minute. A New York Minute is the first big screen movie for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and Jared Padalecki's biggest role yet.