Fans of the hit TV series Supernatural might not know it, but one of the starring cast members is an ordained minister. It's Dean Winchester himself, Jensen Ackles. Ordained by Universal Life Church, Ackles is part of an exclusive group of celebrities who have opted to become ministers and officiate weddings. Unlocking this achievement is just one of the many milestones in Jensen Ackles' life.
Officiating for a Dear Friend
Jensen Ackles had a powerful reason to want to become a minister. His dear friend and Supernatural costar Jeffrey Dean Morgan asked Ackles to officiate his wedding to his partner of a decade, Hilarie Burton. Morgan and Burton officially said their vows on October 5, 2019, around the same time they celebrated their 10th anniversary.
The wedding took place in New York, and the ceremony was very intimate. Ackles officiated alongside another close friend of the couple, The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus. Morgan and Burton's children stood by their side to commemorate their parents' years-long commitment. Ackles happily took on the responsibility of officiating his dear friend's wedding. The event was even more meaningful because Ackles and his wife, Daneel Ackles, introduced Morgan and Burton on a blind date in 2009.
Putting in the Work
Considering that Ackles is not from California, he had a lot to prove when he initially moved to Hollywood to pursue a full-time career in front of the camera. Like many other actors trying to get a foot in the door, Ackles dipped his toe into daytime TV. Gaining the praise and attention of producers and casting directors, Ackles quickly found promising offers landing in his lap.
With the premiere of _Supernatural _in 2005, Ackles could not have predicted that he would have stable employment for 15 years. The television show featured science-fiction plot lines, and the central relationship that drove the series was not romantic but fraternal. Ackles played Dean Winchester next to Jared Padalecki's Sam Winchester. The Winchester brothers would go on to win hearts across the nation, helping the show score renewals year after year.
Many actors long for the kind of work environment that Ackles enjoyed for all those years. Not only did he get to develop a beloved character, but he also got the opportunity to make life-long friendships with his on-set family. On the show, Morgan starred as Ackles' father, John, and the two struck up an unbreakable bond. When Ackles officiated Morgan's wedding to Burton, it was a way of their long friendship coming full circle.
Building a Legacy
When such a juggernaut of a show comes to an end, some actors decide to hang back from the limelight for a while, but that is not the case with Jensen Ackles. He has stayed busy appearing in television shows such as _Big Sky _and _The Boys. _It looks like he's not slowing down any time soon. Jensen Ackles will likely become an icon of his generation.
Fans hope to see Jensen Ackles officiate a few more weddings in the years to come. As an ordained minister of Universal Life Church, nothing is standing in the way of Ackles taking up his place at the altar for other famous friends in the future.