“I’m a proud Texan, born in San Antonio. And while I was growing up, I would actually see Texas Rangers now and then. And I always thought they looked so cool when I’d see them in their white Stetsons at a pizza place or whatever while they were on their lunch break. And now I’m thinking, Wow, I get to portray that.”

“When Jensen and I met, we thought we had the world by the balls and we found out together that we really did not. I’ve seen him fall in love, get engaged then get married and now become a father, and he’s seen me do the same. We’ve seen the same with Misha. This show’s been a wonderful opportunity to really explore so many facets of a character, but also to see each other grow and I think it’s one of the few shows that’s been able to reflect that. We’re not young boys anymore, we are fathers and husbands and friends—we’ve seen birth and death and everything in between. I think there is a little bit of that camaraderie that’s reflected on the screen.”

“There are no words that can describe the euphoria you feel when your baby recognizes you for the first time and smiles.”

“When ‘Supernatural’ came out, there were a lot of procedurals and you were either a doctor or a cop or lawyer, otherwise the show didn’t stay on TV. And then we came around, and I don’t want to say we were trailblazers, but we found our niche.”

“I’m a big ‘Star Wars’ fan and grew up watching the movies. I read all the books and have read ‘Star Wars’ fiction that went between the newest trilogy and the original trilogy and it was part of my childhood.”

[on what scares him the most] “I’m so happy with my family, my career and my friends, and I’d like for them to be here forever, so I guess loss is what scares me the most.”

“I have a house, with two big plasma-screen TVs, two dogs, a grill, chessboard. I like to keep it low-key: invite friends over, order some Papa John’s pizzas and Coors Light, play poker and ping-pong and chill. I’m pretty private.”

“I love cookies baking. During the winter, they have these candles that smell like cookies, and I always buy like a hundred of them.”

[his superstitions] “Whenever I drive under a yellow light, I always kiss my finger and tap it on the roof of the car. And I do that when I get onto a plane as well!”

“I’m a little self-conscious about my body. I love to wear hoodies because you can get cozy and eat some food and your belly doesn’t show!”

“I’m a Texas guy, and the good and bad of that is that I’m always, first and foremost, loyal. If it weren’t for ‘Supernatural,’ I wouldn’t have a lot of the blessings that I have today, so I’m going to play it out. I’m going to give it my all.”

“I’m a sucker for gag reels and teaser trailers for new seasons. One of the great parts of panels, especially on a show like ‘Supernatural,’ which can be so dark, it’s fun to get up there and laugh and remember we’re only telling a story. Seeing Eric Kripke and Ben Edlund up there being so funny always makes me laugh.”

“We’re gonna try to have the baby a little while before we name it. We don’t want to put it out there, like try and turn him into something before we meet the kid. We want to get a feel for who this kid is before we name him.”

“There’s a book that I read, really a great book – it’s called ‘Lone Survivor’ and I think they’re trying to make it into a movie. I would love to play Marcus Luttrell, who was the author and the ‘lone survivor.’ He’s a national hero; he’s very courageous and heroic in insurmountable danger, so it’s something I’d love to explore.”

“I’d love to do a comedy. I’m terrified of comedy. I don’t think I’m funny, but I guess that’s why it’s so thrilling.”

“There are a lot of actors that I really love to watch, actors who I have fun watching – I think Johnny Depp is phenomenal. But I wouldn’t want that career as much as I’d like a career like Tom Hanks – he kind of represents the everyman.”

“I had a nightmare about being on a cruise ship and the ship going down. It was an arduous process of the ship going down and we knew it was going down. There was everyone I know and love on the ship.”

“There’s always gonna be be someone better looking, there’s always gonna be someone smarter, there’s always gonna be someone who works harder. What you have to offer is yourself, so don’t lose it, focus on it and try to bring it out”

“Don’t underestimate your own strength. To persevere. To make it through the most difficult of times. And, JUST as importantly, don’t underestimate your ability to help someone ELSE during THEIR most difficult times. Sometimes all it takes is a kind word, or gesture, to help someone make it through their day.”

“There’s no shame in having to fight every day, but fighting every day, and presumably, if you’re still alive to hear these words or read this interview, then you are winning your war. You’re here.”

“When life beats you down, NEVER give up.”

“If you’re out there and need help, please seek it. Be proud of your valiant day-to-day struggle. There is no shame in needing support.”

[on love]“Don’t place expectations on someone. Enjoy the time you have together, and let it go where it goes.”

“Just be yourself and the right guy will come along, whether it be today, tomorrow, or next year. It’ll happen!”

“I, for a long time, have been passionate about people dealing with mental illness and struggling with depression, or addiction, or having suicidal thoughts and, strangely enough, it’s almost like the life I live, as well. I was 25 years old. I had my own TV show. I had dogs that I loved and tons of friends and I was getting adoration from fans and I was happy with my work, but I couldn’t figure out what it was; it doesn’t always make sense is my point. It’s not just people who can’t find a job, or can’t fit in in society that struggle with depression sometimes.”

“On New Year’s Eve, my dear friend lost his battle with depression . . . Though he wasn’t the first friend I’ve lost to suicide, I sure hope he’s the last. I wish I had the chance to go back and tell them what they meant to me. I wish I had the chance to beg them to seek help, to keep fighting. I wish they knew that they were surrounded by countless others who struggle on a daily basis.”

“I have been to Heaven, I’ve been to Hell, I’ve been possessed by Lucifer. You can’t really get much bigger than that.”

“I’m a fan of horrors. I love the ones that make you jump. My girlfriend hates it. I’ve been dating her for one-and-a-half years and I’m crazy about her, but she’s terrified of horror films. Not the cute ‘Will you hold me?’ way, but she’s weeping. With ‘House of Wax,’ we’ll be sleeping and I’ll go to the bathroom and she’s sitting up waiting for me.”

[on the happiest place on earth] “Anywhere I can be with my family.”

[on battling depression] “I, in the past, have had my own struggles of not [being] so happy with where I am in life, which is strange and I think it goes to show . . . maybe a lot of people don’t know this, but Season 3 [of Supernatural (2005)], we were shooting an episode, and I went back to my trailer to get changed and just kind of broke down. A doctor came to set and talked to me for about 30 minutes or 45 minutes and said, “Jared, I think you’re clinically depressed. I think I should write you a note and we can shut down production for five days and then we can take it from there . . . I say constantly that there’s no shame in dealing with these things . . . there’s no shame in having to fight every day, but fighting every day, and presumably, if you’re still alive to hear these words or read this interview, then you are winning your war. You’re here.”