Nathan Fillion has spent decades in the spotlight. The 55-year-old actor became a household name through his roles in a series of high-profile television series. The likes of “Castle,” “Firefly,” and “The Rookie” have made him a recognizable and well-known figure. Yet, he likes to keep a low profile outside of his work and is private about his personal life.
There is an exception to that rule, though. Nathan has regularly praised his family members for their work, support, and the inspiration they have been to him. One of those he has been particularly effusive about is his understated brother Jeff.
Unlike Nathan, Jeff has an occupation outside of the entertainment industry. But the look-alike sibling has had a big impact on Nathan and his career. Here, you can get the lowdown on the pair’s close relationship and the man Nathan calls his “greatest inspiration.”
Nathan Fillion Says People Are Drawn to His Brother
Both Nathan and Jeff share a strong family resemblance. After seeing them together, there’s no mistaking the fact that they are brothers. But Nathan says that the two are very different when it comes to personality.
“You know, I endeavor to be more like my older brother,” Nathan said of Jeff. “He’s very magnetic.”
While revealing that Jeff is the man that he most wants to emulate in his life, Nathan has consistently praised his older sibling. While speaking to Oprah.com in 2009, Nathan compared Jeff to his own character from “Castle.”
“He’s actually very much like Castle in that people are attracted to him, and just want to be near him,” Nathan explained. “You want to know where my brother is in a crowded room? He’s the guy with the crowd around him. He’s incredibly talented, incredibly patient, incredibly kind and people just like him.”
Despite existing largely outside of the public’s eye, Jeff has joined his brother at some events. These include appearances at Entertainment Weekly’s Comic-Con celebration in 2012 and People’s Choice Awards in 2013.
Jeff Fillion Followed His Family Into Teaching
Education runs throughout the Fillion family. Both of Nathan and Jeff’s parents were teachers, with Jeff choosing to follow in their footsteps. Having qualified and worked as a teacher for many years, he later became an elementary school vice principal.
Yet, it was also something that Nathan could have done if acting didn’t work out. He has spoken about the fact that he considered teaching as a fallback option. He told the Television Academy that he “was a reasonable kid” and knew he needed something if his acting ambitions failed.
Nevertheless, Jeff has had an important role to play in Nathan’s own success. In 2020, the actor shared a post on Instagram for National Siblings Day. In it, he said it would be an “understatement” to simply say that Jeff has influenced him.
He continued: “To say I admire him is an understatement. To say he has an unusual number of nicknames for me is an understatement. I cannot say enough about how proud I am of what he’s accomplished. Thank you, Jeff. I endeavor to be more like you all the time.”
