Nathan Fillion was born March 27, 1971 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The son of retired English teachers, Fillion had originally dreamed of becoming a high school drama instructor. He went to Concordia University College of Alberta and the University of Alberta and has a major in art and a minor in drama. Fillion has worked with writer/producer Joss Whedon in two of the latter's projects, as Caleb on
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and as the lead character, Capt. Malcolm Reynolds on Firefly. Fillion had also originally auditioned for the role of Angel on
Buffy the Vampire Slayer . In 2006, he won best actor at the SyFy Genre Awards for his role on Firefly, three years after the show's cancellation.
Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds, played by Nathan Fillion on Firefly, is the captain and owner of an old, beat up Firefly-class ship which he christened Serenity. He is a veteran of the independence war, having fought against the Alliance as part of the 57th Overlanders. Malcolm is a natural leader who inspires fierce loyalty among his people, despite his shortcomings as a strategist.
(Photo courtesy of FOX)