Jared Padalecki's Gilmore Girls Role Almost Robbed Us Of Sam Winchester in Supernatural

Fans of the CW's hit show Supernatural simply can't imagine anyone other than Jared Padalecki playing the role of Sam Winchester. But did you know that his iconic role was almost jeopardized by his previous character on Gilmore Girls?

Jared Padalecki first made waves in the early 2000s with his role as Dean Forester in Gilmore Girls. As Rory Gilmore's first love, Dean was a sweet, sometimes jealous young man with a rather simple view of the world. This portrayal, while loved by many, almost cost Padalecki the role of a lifetime.

When it came time to cast for Supernatural, both Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles auditioned for the role of Sam Winchester. Eric Kripke, the show's creator, had reservations about Padalecki.

Having seen his performance in Gilmore Girls, Kripke wasn't convinced that Padalecki could pull off the intelligent and complex character of Sam Winchester.

He even remarked, "We want Sam to be really smart."

But Padalecki's manager stepped in, highlighting that Jared was a National Merit Scholar in real life. This tidbit, combined with specific instructions for Jared to emphasize intelligence over charm during his audition, made all the difference.

Padalecki even mentioned trying to channel his "inner David Duchovny" during the process.

“I still tease Kripke that he didn’t want to hire me initially because he thought I was stupid,” Padalecki said on Supernatural Then and Now.

Despite the initial doubts, everything fell into place. Padalecki secured the role of Sam, and Ackles, originally auditioning for the same part, became the beloved Dean Winchester.

The actors had a great bond on set since the first day and the duo went on to save the world from monsters, demons, and all sorts of supernatural threats for 15 seasons, creating a legacy that fans will cherish for many years.

In retrospect, it's fascinating to think how a character from the idyllic town of Stars Hollow could have such an impact on the casting of a show about hunting monsters. But as they say, everything happens for a reason.

Sources: TV Guide, Supernatural Then and Now