Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Glau grew up with two younger sisters and traces her heritage to Ulster-Scots and German roots; a ballet scholarship led to homeschooling from third through twelfth grade and later studies in tango and flamenco. After a guest turn as a ballerina on Angel, she caught the eye of Joss Whedon and was cast as River Tam in the cult sci-fi series Firefly and its film sequ…
