Who Is Joshua Ackles? The Life, Family, and Advocacy of Jensen Ackles’ Brother

Joshua Ackles is a name that might not often appear in Hollywood headlines, but his story is one that captures the heart. He is best known as the older brother of actor Jensen Ackles from Supernatural, yet Joshua has made his own mark in life through his deep commitment to family, compassion, and advocacy. Rather than chasing fame or the spotlight, Joshua chose a different path—one built on love, purpose, and kindness.

His journey shows how real strength often comes not from fame or wealth but from empathy, patience, and dedication to others. He is a man whose life teaches that ordinary people can create extraordinary change simply by caring deeply for their families and communities.

Quick Bio

Who is Joshua Ackles?

Joshua Ackles is an American advocate and philanthropist best known as the older brother of actor Jensen Ackles from the TV show Supernatural. He was born on December 20, 1974, in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in a loving family with his siblings Jensen and Mackenzie. Unlike his famous brother, Joshua chose a private life focused on family and community service. He is married to Ali Bitros Ackles, and together they have three sons—Levi, Lincoln, and Logan. Their youngest son, Levi, was born with Down Syndrome, inspiring Joshua to dedicate his life to raising awareness and supporting children with special needs through events like the Buddy Walk and their advocacy group, Team Levi.

Early Life and Background

Joshua Ackles was born on December 20, 1974, in Dallas, Texas, USA. He grew up as the oldest child in a warm and loving household. His parents, Alan Roger Ackles and Donna Joan Shaffer Ackles, created a family centered on love, faith, and togetherness. His father, Alan, is an actor and voice artist known for his work on Prison Break, Devour, and Supernatural, while his mother, Donna, is a homemaker who devoted her time to raising their children. Joshua grew up alongside his younger brother Jensen, born in 1978, and their sister Mackenzie.

As the eldest child, Joshua often took on the role of a guide and protector for his siblings. Their parents taught them the importance of kindness, hard work, and loyalty—values that stayed with Joshua throughout his life.

Joshua Ackles’ Age and Physical Details

Joshua Ackles was born on December 20, 1974, in Dallas, Texas, which makes him 50 years old as of 2025. He has a tall and strong build, standing around 6 feet (183 cm) in height. Joshua has brown hair, hazel eyes, and a friendly smile that reflects his calm and caring nature. His appearance is quite similar to his younger brother Jensen Ackles, but his gentle personality and humble presence make him stand out in his own way. Even though he keeps a private life, people who have met him describe him as warm, kind, and approachable.

Father

Joshua’s father, Alan Roger Ackles, is a respected actor and voice artist. He has appeared in popular television shows like Supernatural, Prison Break, and Devour. Alan has also provided voice work for various commercials and projects throughout his career. More importantly, he has been a guiding figure in Joshua’s life, teaching him the values of integrity, responsibility, and compassion. The bond between father and son remains strong, and Alan’s influence can be seen in Joshua’s calm, grounded personality.

Mother

Joshua’s mother, Donna Joan Shaffer Ackles, has been the heart of the Ackles family. She worked as a homemaker and dedicated her life to raising her three children. Her gentle and loving nature helped create the strong family foundation that Joshua carries with him today. Donna’s care, patience, and warmth shaped Joshua’s view of what it means to be kind and understanding.

Family Values

The Ackles family shared a very close bond, spending time together, supporting one another, and enjoying simple things like family dinners and holidays. They believed in staying grounded no matter what life brought their way. Even as Jensen later stepped into the spotlight as an actor, their family remained tight-knit. Joshua’s upbringing in such a caring and strong environment helped shape him into the devoted husband, father, and advocate he is today. Those early lessons in love, empathy, and responsibility became the roots of his adult life and inspired his journey into philanthropy and advocacy.

Career Path

Unlike his brother Jensen, who pursued acting and found great success in television and film, Joshua decided to follow a quieter and more private path. He did have small appearances in a few shows, such as Supernatural, Devour, and Prison Break, but he never aimed for a full-time career in Hollywood. Joshua preferred to live a grounded life away from fame.

His focus was always on meaningful work and personal fulfillment rather than celebrity status. His calm nature and humble attitude made him more interested in helping people face real-life challenges than in being in front of cameras. It was this outlook that would eventually guide him toward advocacy and community work.

Marriage and Family Life

Joshua Ackles married Ali Bitros Ackles, who is also known as Alexis Ackles. Ali works as an educational diagnostician and has dedicated her career to helping children who have learning or developmental challenges. Together, Joshua and Ali share not just love but also a shared purpose in life—the desire to make the world better for children with special needs. Their marriage is built on mutual respect, teamwork, and compassion. They have three sons—Levi, Lincoln, and Logan. Each child has added meaning and joy to their lives, but it was their youngest, Levi, who brought about a life-changing mission for their family.

Raising Children with Love

When Levi was born with Down Syndrome, Joshua and Ali faced a new journey filled with both challenges and blessings. Instead of feeling discouraged or afraid, they embraced their son with open hearts and turned their experience into action. They wanted to raise awareness about Down Syndrome and help other families understand that children with special needs deserve equal love, respect, and opportunities.

Their other son, Lincoln, was diagnosed with ADHD, which brought its own set of lessons and taught them even more about patience and understanding. Joshua and Ali’s approach to parenting is full of kindness and empathy. They believe in focusing on each child’s strengths and encouraging them to grow at their own pace.

Team Levi and the Buddy Walk

The birth of Levi inspired Joshua and Ali to create “Team Levi,” a group dedicated to raising awareness for children with Down Syndrome. Through this effort, they began participating in Buddy Walks—annual events organized to support and celebrate individuals with Down Syndrome. Their family’s involvement quickly became a source of hope for many others. In 2007, Team Levi helped raise $27,000 for the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas, showing just how much one family’s love and commitment can achieve.

The Ackles family has continued to participate in these walks and community events over the years, using each opportunity to educate people about acceptance and inclusion. For Joshua, these moments are not just about raising funds but also about spreading understanding and compassion.

Advocacy and Public Awareness

Joshua and Ali Ackles have made it their mission to educate others about the realities of living with disabilities. They work to challenge harmful stereotypes and help people see the value and potential in every child. One issue they have spoken out about is the discrimination that individuals with disabilities can face in the medical system, including being denied organ transplants simply because of their condition.

Through their advocacy, they aim to protect the rights of children like Levi and ensure they are treated with dignity and fairness. Their message is simple but powerful—every person, no matter their ability, deserves respect, kindness, and opportunity.

Relationship with Jensen Ackles

Joshua shares a strong and loving bond with his younger brother Jensen. Despite Jensen’s fame as an actor, their relationship has remained sincere and supportive. Jensen deeply admires Joshua’s strength and compassion, and he often shows love for his brother’s family in thoughtful ways. On the television show Supernatural, Jensen even included a special tribute to his nephew by naming a gas station “Lil’ Levi,” honoring Joshua’s son and spreading awareness through his work.

Beyond public gestures, the brothers spend quality time together with their father, Alan, attending football games and celebrating family events. Their connection shows how much family truly means to the Ackles, no matter how different their careers may be.

Quiet Life Away from Fame

While many people connected to celebrities enjoy the attention that comes with it, Joshua has chosen a life away from public eyes. He does not maintain active social media accounts, rarely appears at red-carpet events, and focuses mainly on his family and advocacy. This choice reflects his calm and humble nature. He finds happiness not in fame but in meaningful relationships, quiet moments, and community service. For Joshua, success is not about how many people know your name but about how much love and goodness you bring into the world. His modest lifestyle makes him relatable and admirable to those who believe that the most important things in life are family, integrity, and kindness.

Lessons from His Life

Joshua Ackles’s life is filled with lessons that inspire anyone who learns about his story. He teaches that strength is not about perfection but about patience, love, and perseverance. His journey reminds people that challenges can become blessings and that compassion can heal and unite communities. Through Team Levi and his ongoing work, Joshua shows how one person’s heart can bring light to many others. He has turned personal experiences into a force for change and uses his story to encourage others to stand up for inclusion and equality. His life proves that ordinary people can make extraordinary differences through empathy and understanding.

A Supportive Family Legacy

The Ackles family stands as an example of love, loyalty, and resilience. Alan and Donna Ackles raised their children to support one another and to value compassion over competition. This foundation has kept the family close even as life has taken them in different directions. Jensen’s fame in Hollywood and Joshua’s quiet advocacy in Texas both reflect the same core values taught to them as children—kindness, hard work, and humility. Their sister Mackenzie also shares this closeness, keeping the family ties strong through every season of life. Together, they show that family is not just about being related but about standing by one another through everything.

Continuing His Mission

Today, Joshua and his wife, Ali, continue to live in Texas with their three sons. They remain involved in advocacy work, attending events, and supporting organizations that promote awareness for Down Syndrome and other developmental differences. Their dedication has touched the lives of many families who see them as an example of hope and strength. The Ackles family’s story continues to spread awareness about acceptance and community support. Joshua’s gentle nature, humble lifestyle, and steady commitment to doing good make him a true role model. He may not be in the spotlight, but his impact shines just as brightly through the people he helps and the lessons he teaches.

Joshua Ackles’s Net Worth

There are no public records of Joshua Ackles’s exact net worth, as he does not share details of his income or finances. However, considering his past small acting roles and his stable life in Texas, it can be assumed that he lives comfortably. Joshua is more focused on family and advocacy than on wealth or fame. His real success lies in the love he gives and the impact he has on others rather than in financial numbers.

Final Thoughts