Actor Sean Maher has said he's been inspired by the overwhelming support he's received after coming out gay.

The 36-year-old Maher came out gay in September during an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

Maher is best known for playing Simon Tam in the science fiction series Firefly and the follow up movie Serenity. He played a closeted gay man on The Playboy Club, which NBC canceled after airing only 3 episodes.

In an interview with Gay Star News, Maher, who is raising two children with his partner Paul, said he has been inspired by the overwhelming support he has received.

“I'm still hearing from people who were inspired by my story and came out to their parents,” Maher said. “I've also been getting some old-fashioned fan mail from people that brought me to tears – their stories so inspire me.”

Maher earlier told gay glossy The Advocate that his father suggested therapy for him to “cure” his sexuality.

“My dad slipped me the number of a priest and said, 'This is for people like you so you can be happy again.' I said, 'Dad, what don't you understand? I'm finally happy.'”

Maher can be seen in the upcoming Joss Whedon-directed film adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing.