Nathan Fillion has a reputation. On screen, the actor has flawlessly embodied confident characters you love despite (or maybe because of) their brash confidence. Think “Firefly” leader Malcolm Reynolds, “Dr. Horrible” hero Captain Hammer, or his current incarnation as self-assured mystery writer Richard Castle on ABC’s hit “Castle” for examples of how Fillion expertly walks the fine line between obnoxious and charming.

But in real life, the easygoing Fillion is known as one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. Perhaps it’s a Canadian thing; Fillion was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, the son of teachers who, as a child, he can remember adults approaching on the street to thank for changing their lives. Those parents, he says, helped instill in him a sense of gratitude and appreciation, which seems to go hand in hand with his self-deprecating humor.

Of his prolific career, he says, “I think I’ve been really good at surrounding myself with really talented people. I’ve picked the right coattails to ride on.” Despite having won countless numbers of dedicated fans from his time on such cult series as “Firefly” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” not to mention starring on hit shows like “Desperate Housewives,” he maintains, “I don’t expect anybody to know who I am.” And when told that this writer has several friends who have guest starred on “Castle,” the first thing he wants to know is “Did they have a good time?” [Read The Rest Here]