Way Before Rookie: Nathan Fillion's Early Career Look is Unrecognizable
Since taking on the role of John Nolan in The Rookie, Nathan Fillion has proved to be a true star and has built up a considerable fanbase. But the Canadian-American actor, who turns 52 in March 2023, has actually spent more than half his life on TV.
After moving to New York City in 1994 from his hometown of Edmonton, he took on the role of Joey Buchanan in One Life to Live.
As you can imagine, he has changed a lot over the years – but he's always been a hit with female fans.
These days, of course, we know him as the suave yet slightly rugged John Nolan. But go back to when he first hit our screens at the age of 23, and you'll see a very different Nathan Fillion. At that time, he was sporting a typically 90s look, with floppy hair and a looser style of dress.
It was a simple look; jeans, a plain t-shirt and a (pretty high) belt. But is was all the rage at the time.
By March 2009, Fillion was starring as the eponymous Richard Castle, a mystery novelist who helped police investigate some pretty weird murders. His time on Castle saw him nominated for Best Actor – Television Series Drama in 2009.
The same year he came 10th in BuddyTV's "TVs 100 Sexiest Men" of the year. As photos from the time show, he hadn't lost his good looks – but the youthful face had been replaced by mature features. And he was more sartorial too, with suits now preferable to the jeans and t-shirts of his younger years.
And he kept his place on that "Sexiest Men" list for the next few years, coming 19th in 2010, 20th in 2011 and 39th in 2012.
Although his appearance has changed a lot between the ages of 23 and 52 (as they would!), Fillion will no doubt feel that he's always had a certain debonair way about him.
Despite this, he's still single and, despite never marrying, he has been romantically linked with several actors. And he's been engaged twice to Vanessa Marcil in 1995 and Mikaela Hoover in 2013. Sadly, neither worked out. But the actor is rumoured to have dated several other celebs before and since. And he's still turning heads, so there's no need for anyone to feel too sorry for him.