Richard Dean Anderson is an American television and film actor, television producer and composer.
He began his television career in 1976 as Dr. Jeff Webber in the American soap opera
series General Hospital, then rose to prominence as the lead actor in the television series
MacGyver.
Anderson later appeared in films, including Through the Eyes of a Killer, Pandora's Clock
and Firehouse.
In 1997, Anderson returned to television as the lead actor of the series Stargate SG-1,
a spin-off of the 1994 film Stargate.
He played the lead from 1997–2005 and had a recurring role from 2005–07.
Since 1997, the only film Anderson has starred in is Stargate: Continuum released in 2008
as a spin-off film after Stargate SG-1 Series finale in 2007.
He appears in the follow-up Stargate series Stargate: Atlantis and Stargate: Universe.
Early life Anderson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota
to Stuart Jay Anderson and Jocelyn Rhae Carter, and was the oldest of four brothers.
He is of Scottish, Swedish, Norwegian and Mohawk descent.
He grew up in Roseville, Minnesota and attended Ramsey High School.
As a child, Anderson's dream of becoming a professional hockey player ended when he broke
both his arms.
Anderson developed an early interest in music, art and acting.
For a short time he tried to become a jazz musician.
Career Anderson studied to become an actor at St.
Cloud State University in Minnesota and then at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, but later
dropped out before he received his degree because he felt "listless".
Right after his junior year in college, Anderson participated with friends in a cross-country
bicycle ride from Minnesota to Alaska.
He then moved to North Hollywood along with his friend Ricky V. and girlfriend Dianne,
then to New York, then moved permanently to Los Angeles.
At the start he worked as a whale handler in a marine mammal show, a musician in medieval
dinner theater, and as a street mime and juggler.
Anderson has stated that this period was "the happiest of my life" and has expressed an
interest in teaching juggling, clowning and other circus arts to disadvantaged youths.
Anderson's first role was in the American soap opera, General Hospital as Dr. Jeff Webber
from 1976 to 1981.
In 1982–1983 He starred as Adam in the CBS television series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
In the 1983–1984 season, he played Lieutenant Simon Adams on the 22-week Dennis Weaver series
Emerald Point N.A.S.
on CBS, stealing away Celia Warren, the wife of naval lawyer Jack Warren.
Anderson then played Tony Kaiser in the acclaimed TV movie Ordinary Heroes, which aired in 1986.
MacGyver Anderson came to fame in the lead role of
Angus MacGyver in the hit television series MacGyver, which lasted from 1985 to 1992 and
was highly successful throughout its 7-year run.
The character Angus MacGyver, known as just MacGyver or Mac until the final season, was
an optimistic action hero that was notable for using a Swiss Army knife instead of a
firearm as his tool of choice.
Anderson would go on to produce two follow-up movies to MacGyver, in 1994.
After the cancellation of MacGyver, Anderson stated "MacGyver was seven years of being
in virtually every frame that was shot and having absolutely no life at all."
Later career In 1995 he co-starred with John de Lancie
in Legend, a comic series of only twelve episodes about a dime novel writer within the Wild
West who against his will has to play the role of his own fictional character.
Originally written as a TV movie, with the decision to make Legend a series, the original
teleplay became the two-hour pilot episode.
Anderson was applauded for his roles as Ernest Pratt and Nicodemus Legend by many critics,
most notably John O'Connor from The New York Times.
From 1997 to 2005, Anderson starred as Jack O'Neill in Stargate SG-1, based on the movie
Stargate starring Kurt Russell and James Spader.
John Symes president of Metro–Goldwyn–Mayer called Anderson himself and asked him if he
wanted a part in the series.
Anderson watched the Stargate film over and over again and came to the conclusion that
the film had "great potential" and signed a contract with the Stargate producers.
Anderson agreed to become involved with the project if his character was allowed significantly
more comedic leeway than Kurt Russell's character in the feature film.
He also requested Stargate SG-1 to be more of an ensemble show, so that he would not
be carrying the plot alone as on MacGyver.
In season eight, he chose to have his character "promoted" to base commander on Don S. Davis's
advice.
This enabled the late Davis to retire from acting due to his ailing health, and Anderson
to take over the smaller role which involved far less on-location shooting so that he could
spend more time with his young daughter.
The following season, Anderson terminated his status as star and producer of Stargate
SG-1 opting to make several guest appearances per season instead, allowing his sizable role
to be filled by veteran actors Ben Browder, Claudia Black and Emmy nominee Beau Bridges.
At the Air Force Association's 57th Annual Air Force Anniversary Dinner in Washington,
D.C., on September 14, 2004, then-Air Force Chief-of-Staff, General John P. Jumper, presented
Anderson with an award because of his role as star and executive producer of Stargate
SG-1, a series which portrayed the Air Force in a positive light from its premiere.
Anderson was also made an honorary Air Force brigadier general.
A great fan of the television show The Simpsons, which he had continually referenced during
his time on SG-1, Anderson was invited in 2005 to guest star on the show.
He voiced himself in the episode "Kiss Kiss Bang Bangalore" in which the actor was kidnapped
by Selma and Patty Bouvier, Marge Simpson's sisters, his MacGyver character having been
their longstanding heartthrob.
Dan Castellaneta, the voice actor who portrays Homer Simpson, made a guest appearance on
Stargate SG-1 and, in describing his unnatural ability to see the life events of Jack O'Neill,
made reference to O'Neill's fondness for The Simpsons.
Anderson briefly reprised his role as Angus MacGyver in 2006 when he appeared in a MasterCard
commercial during Super Bowl XL.
While the plot follows the "MacGyver Formula", it is somewhat satirical of the series, showing
unlikely if not impossible solutions to the obstacles faced by Anderson's character.
The official MasterCard website for the commercial refers to it as "the Return of MacGyver".
Lee David Zlotoff the creator of MacGyver, announced on May 3, 2008, that a MacGyver
film was in production.
Anderson has expressed interest in revisiting his role; however, there is no word on who
will be playing the role of MacGyver in the film.
Anderson cameoed as MacGyver in what seemed to be a Saturday Night Live advertisement
parody featuring the show's recurring character MacGruber, but was rather a real commercial
for both Saturday Night Live and Pepsi, in which the titular character becomes obsessed
with the soft drink.
This aired three times during the January 31, 2009 SNL broadcast, and the second part
aired again during Super Bowl XLIII on the following day.
Anderson has also played the role of General Jack O'Neill in Stargate Atlantis and Stargate
Universe which first aired in October 2009.
Anderson joined the cast of Fairly Legal on USA Network in Fall 2010 in the recurring
role of David Smith, appearing in three episodes.
Producer and composer Anderson has served as an executive producer
in six shows in which he has acted himself: MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis, MacGyver:
Trail to Doomsday, Legend, Stargate SG-1, Firehouse and From Stargate to Atlantis: Sci
Fi Lowdown.
Anderson composed the song "Eau d'Leo" for the MacGyver episode "The Negotiator".
Together with Michael Greenburg, Anderson created the Gekko Film Corporation.
The company was involved with Stargate SG-1, producing every episode from 1997–2007 with
the exception of 2006.
The company itself has served as Anderson's backing agency.
Personal life Anderson has divided his time among Vancouver,
Los Angeles, and northern Minnesota.
Never married, Anderson has one child with Apryl Prose, who gave birth to their daughter
Wylie Quinn Annarose Anderson, on August 2, 1998.
Anderson left Stargate SG-1 because he wanted to spend more time with his daughter:
Being a father, well, I don't know if this is a change, but it makes me want to get out
of here faster.
Get off the clock.
Just 'cause the baby is my reason for living, my reason for coming to work.
Anderson has supported Waterkeeper Alliance, an organization trying to stop water pollution.
Anderson is a member of the Board of Trustees for Challengers Boys and Girls Club, a youth
organization established in 1968 with the help of MacGyver producer Stephen Downing,
and featured in an episode from season 4 of the show.
He received the 1995 Celebrity Award from the Make-a-Wish Foundation because of his
commitment to the foundation.
He is also a supporter for various Sclerosis Society non-profit organizations and has done
several public service announcements to show his support for the various organizations.
Anderson is an avid supporter of the Special Olympics and was one of many speakers at the
1991 opening ceremonies.
In recent years, he has helped several environmental organizations around the world.
He is a member of Board of Advisors of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has worked
with the members of Earth Rivers Expeditions to Produce River Project.
Awards
Filmography References
External links Richard Dean Anderson at the Internet Movie
Database Richard Dean Anderson at AllMovie
Richard Dean Anderson Official Twitter Richard Dean Anderson Website