Early life

Anderson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the oldest of four sons born to Stuart Jay Anderson and Jocelyn Rhae Carter. He is of Mohawk, Norwegian, Scottish, and Swedish descent. He grew up in Roseville, Minnesota, where he attended Alexander Ramsey High School. As a child, his dream of becoming a professional hockey player ended when he broke both of his arms. He developed an early interest in music, art, and acting. For a short time, he tried to become a jazz musician.

Anderson studied to become an actor at St. Cloud State University and then at Ohio University, but dropped out before he received his degree because he felt "listless". Right after his junior year in college, he participated with friends in a cross-country bicycle ride from Minnesota to Alaska. He then moved to North Hollywood along with his friend and girlfriend, before moving to New York City, finally settling in Los Angeles. He worked as a whale handler in a marine mammal show, a musician in medieval dinner theater, and as a street mime and juggler. He has stated that this period was "the happiest of life" and has expressed an interest in teaching juggling, clowning, and other circus arts to disadvantaged youths.

Career

Early career

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 (based very loosely on the movie of the same name). 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 (Susan Dey), the wife of naval lawyer Jack Warren (Charles Frank). 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 seven-year run. The character Angus MacGyver, also known as just MacGyver or Mac, was, through the final season 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 (MGM) 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 were allowed significantly more comedic leeway than Kurt Russell's character in the feature film. He also requested Stargate SG-1 be more of an ensemble show, so that he would not be carrying the plot alone as he did 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 (replacing Anderson as field commander), Claudia Black (replacing Anderson as the comic relief) and Emmy nominee Beau Bridges (replacing Anderson as Base commander).

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 (among other characters), made a guest appearance on Stargate SG-1 ("Citizen Joe") 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 (in one shot, he cuts through a thick rope with a pine-scented air freshener). 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 (portrayed by Will Forte), 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.

Charity 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.

Anderson 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, Anderson has helped several environmental organizations around the world. He is a member of Board of Advisors of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and has worked with the members of the Earth Rivers Expeditions to Produce River Project.

Personal life

Anderson divides his time between Vancouver, British Columbia; Los Angeles, California; and northern Minnesota.

Though never married, Anderson has been romantically linked to such actresses as Marlee Matlin, Deidre Hall, Sela Ward, Teri Hatcher, and Lara Flynn Boyle, as well as figure skater Katarina Witt. He has one child with Apryl Prose, a daughter named Wylie Quinn Annarose Anderson (born August 2, 1998). He and Prose split in 2002, sharing custody of Wylie.

Anderson left Stargate SG-1 because he wanted to spend more time with his daughter, stating, "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."

Filmography

Film, Television and Video Games

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1976- 1981	General Hospital	Dr. Jeff Webber	Soap Opera
1982	Young Doctors in Love	Drug Dealer	uncredited
1982- 1983	Seven Brides for Seven Brothers	Adam McFadden	TV series
1983- 1984	Emerald Point N.A.S.	Navy Lt. Simon Adams	TV series
1983	D.C. Cab	Bad Guy
1985- 1992	MacGyver	Angus MacGyver	TV series. Lead role (139 episodes)
1986	Ordinary Heroes	Tony Kaiser
1986	Odd Jobs	Spud
1992	In the Eyes of a Stranger	Jack Rourke	TV
1992	Through the Eyes of a Killer	Ray Bellano	TV
1994	MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis	Angus MacGyver	TV
1994	Beyond Betrayal	Bradley Matthews	TV
1994	MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday	Angus MacGyver	TV
1995	Legend	Ernest Pratt/Nicodemus Legend	TV series
1995	Past the Bleachers	Bill Parish	TV
1996	Pandora's Clock	Capt. James Holland	TV
1997	Fallout	Mayor Killian Darkwater (voice)	Video Game
1997	Firehouse	Lt. Michael Brooks	TV
1997- 2007	Stargate SG-1	Colonel/Brigadier General/Major General Jack O'Neill (USAF)	(main cast member 1997-2005, recurring 2005-2007) TV series
2008	Stargate: Continuum	Major General/Colonel Jack O'Neill,USAF	Direct-to-DVD movie
2011	Fairly Legal	David Smith	TV series (for 5 episodes)
2012	MacGyver and the new Citan	Angus MacGyver	Webisodes

Television Guest Appearances

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1981	Facts of Life, TheThe Facts of Life	Brian Parker	2.16 "Brian and Sylvia"
1981	Today's F.B.I.	Andy McFey	"The Fugitive"
1982	Love Boat, TheThe Love Boat	Carter Randall	5.24 "Isaac Gets Physical/She Brought Her Mother Along/Cold Feet"
1990-1991	Joan Rivers Show, TheThe Joan Rivers Show	Himself
1990-1992	Arsenio Hall Show, TheThe Arsenio Hall Show	Himself
1996	Late Night with Conan O'Brien	Himself
1997	Newton's Apple	Himself
1998	Late Night with Conan O'Brien	Himself
2000	Donny & Marie	Himself
2000	Martin Short Show, TheThe Martin Short Show	Himself
2000	National Geographic Explorer	Himself	"North America's Last True Wilderness"
2004	Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn, TheThe Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn	Himself
2006	The Simpsons	Himself (voice)	17.17 "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore"
2004-2006	Stargate Atlantis	Brigadier General Jack O'Neill Major General Jack O'Neill	2004: "Rising (Part 1)" 2006: "The Real World", "The Return"
2005-2007	Stargate SG-1	Major General Jack O'Neill	2005: "Avalon (Part 1)", "Origin" 2006: "200" 2007: "The Shroud"
2009-2010	Stargate Universe	Lt. General Jack O'Neill	2009: "Air", "Earth" 2010: "Subversion", "Incursion Part 1"
2010	Saturday Night Live	Angus MacGyver	MacGruber skits
2011	Raising Hope	Keith	2.06 "Jimmy and the Kid"
2013	Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23	Himself	2.13 "Original Bitch..."

Producer

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1994	MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis	Executive Producer	TV
1994	MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday	Executive Producer	TV
1997	Stargate SG-1	Executive Producer	TV series
1997	Firehouse	Executive Producer	TV
2004	From Stargate to Atlantis: Sci Fi Lowdown	Executive Producer	TV

Composer

Year	Title	Notes
1988	MacGyver	TV series (song "Eau d'Leo" in episode "The Negotiator")

Awards

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Richard Dean Anderson

[ Source: Wikipedia ]