Born Liam, in 1727 in Galway, he was turned in 1753 by the vampire Darla. In 1898, he was cursed by the Kalderash people as vengeance for killing their favorite daughter. They returned his soul, forcing him to live in eternal guilt over all the crimes he had committed.
1998, after experiencing a moment of 'true happiness' with Buffy, he lost his soul again and was once more tormenting the innocent. He is cruel, sadistic, mocking, ruthless. He likes to play with his victims before he kills them.