Richard Dean Anderson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richard Dean Anderson
Anderson in 2024
Born	(1950-01-23) January 23, 1950 (age 75) Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Alma mater	St. Cloud State University, Ohio University
Occupation	Actor, producer
Years active	1976–present
Partner(s)	Apryl A. Prose (1996–2003)
Children	1
Awards	Full list

Richard Dean Anderson (born January 23, 1950) is an American actor. He became famous for his roles in popular TV shows. He started his TV career in 1976. He played Dr. Jeff Webber in the soap opera General Hospital.

He became very well-known as the main character in the TV series MacGyver (1985–1992). Later, in 1997, he starred in another hit series, Stargate SG-1. This show was a spin-off from the 1994 movie Stargate. He played the main role in Stargate SG-1 from 1997 to 2005. He also appeared in other Stargate shows and movies.

Early Life and Interests

Richard Dean Anderson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the oldest of four sons. His father, Stuart Jay Anderson, was a teacher. His mother, Jocelyn Rhae Carter, was an artist. His family has roots from Norway, Scotland, Sweden, England, and Germany.

He grew up in Roseville, Minnesota. He went to Alexander Ramsey High School. When he was a teenager, he dreamed of becoming a professional hockey player. However, he broke both arms playing hockey at age 18. This ended his dream of playing professionally.

Richard also loved music, art, and acting from a young age. For a short time, he even tried to become a jazz musician.

Becoming an Actor

Anderson studied acting at St. Cloud State University and Ohio University. He left college before finishing his degree. He felt a bit lost at the time. After his junior year, he rode a bicycle across the country from Minnesota to Alaska with friends.

He then moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Before becoming famous, he had many interesting jobs. He worked with whales at a marine show. He was also an entertainment director at Marineland. He even performed as a street mime and juggler. He has said this time was "the happiest" of his life. He even wanted to teach juggling and circus arts to young people.

Richard Dean Anderson's Acting Career

Starting in Television

Richard Dean Anderson's first acting role was in a short film in 1975. It was called The Birthday Party. Soon after, he joined the TV show General Hospital. He played Dr. Jeff Webber from 1976 to 1981.

He also appeared in other TV shows. He was in an episode of The Facts of Life. He also starred in the CBS series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982–1983). In 1983–1984, he played Lieutenant Simon Adams in Emerald Point N.A.S..

Starring as MacGyver

Anderson on the set of MacGyver around 1987

Richard Dean Anderson became very famous for his lead role as Angus MacGyver. This was in the popular TV series MacGyver. The show ran for seven successful years, from 1985 to 1992. MacGyver was a positive action hero. He was known for using a Swiss Army knife and his brain instead of guns.

Anderson liked the role because MacGyver avoided guns. He shared that he also disliked violence. He felt MacGyver was different from other action heroes of that time. After MacGyver ended, Anderson said it was a lot of work. He was in almost every scene for seven years.

During the show, Anderson got several injuries from doing his own stunts. Some injuries even needed surgery. He hurt his back early in the show. He continued filming while in pain for a year and a half. He later had surgery, which helped.

Later Career and Stargate

Leading Stargate SG-1

Anderson was honored by the Air Force for his role in Stargate SG-1

From 1997 to 2005, Anderson starred as Jack O'Neill in Stargate SG-1. This show was based on the movie Stargate. The president of MGM, John Symes, personally asked Anderson to join the series. Anderson watched the movie and saw its "great potential." He agreed to join the show.

He wanted his character, Jack O'Neill, to have more humor. He also asked for Stargate SG-1 to be more of a team show. This way, he wouldn't have to carry the story alone, like he did on MacGyver. Anderson often added his own funny, sarcastic lines to the character.

In later seasons, he chose for his character to become a base commander. This allowed him to have a smaller role. It meant less filming on location. This was so he could spend more time with his young daughter. Other actors then took on bigger roles in the show.

In 2004, the United States Air Force honored Anderson. They gave him an award for his role in Stargate SG-1. The show showed the Air Force in a good way. Anderson was also made an honorary Air Force brigadier general.

Other Projects

In 1995, Anderson co-starred in Legend. This was a funny series with only twelve episodes. He played a writer in the Wild West who had to pretend to be his own fictional hero. Critics praised his performance in the show.

Anderson is a big fan of The Simpsons. In 2005, he was invited to be a guest star on the show. He voiced himself in the episode "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore". In the episode, he was kidnapped by Marge Simpson's sisters, Selma and Patty. They were huge fans of his MacGyver character.

In 2006, Anderson briefly played MacGyver again. This was for a MasterCard commercial during Super Bowl XL. The commercial was a funny take on the MacGyver show. It showed impossible ways MacGyver solved problems.

He also appeared as MacGyver in a commercial for Pepsi and Saturday Night Live in 2009. Anderson also played General Jack O'Neill in the Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe TV shows. These shows started in 2009. In 2010, he joined the cast of Fairly Legal for a few episodes.

Behind the Scenes Work

Richard Dean Anderson has also worked as an executive producer. This means he helped manage the making of several shows he acted in. These include MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis, MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday, Legend, Stargate SG-1, and Firehouse.

He also composed a song called "Eau d'Leo" for a MacGyver episode. Anderson also co-founded a film company called Gekko Film Corporation. This company was involved in producing Stargate SG-1.

Helping Others

Anderson supports many charities. He has helped the Waterkeeper Alliance. This group works to stop water pollution. He is also on the board for the Challengers Boys and Girls Club. This is a youth organization.

He received an award from the Make-a-Wish Foundation in 1995. This was for his dedication to the foundation. He also supports various Sclerosis Society groups. He has made public service announcements for them.

Anderson is a strong supporter of the Special Olympics. He was a speaker at their opening ceremonies in 1991. In recent years, he has helped environmental groups worldwide. He is on the Board of Advisors for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. He has also worked on river protection projects.

Personal Life

Richard Dean Anderson spends his time in Vancouver, Los Angeles, and northern Minnesota. He loves winter sports like hockey and skiing. In 1998, he mentioned he had to slow down a bit. This was because he had "a couple of reconstructed knees." While filming SG-1, he organized hockey games with the cast and crew. He was also a race car driver during his MacGyver years.

From 1996 to 2003, his partner was Apryl A. Prose. They have one child, a daughter named Wylie Quinn Annarose Anderson, born on August 2, 1998. Anderson decided to leave Stargate SG-1 to spend more time with his daughter. He said, "Being a father... makes me want to get out of here faster. Just 'cause the baby is my reason for living."

Filmography

Television Roles

Film Roles

Video Game Roles

Awards and Recognition

Richard Dean Anderson has received many awards and nominations for his acting. You can find a full list of his awards by clicking the link below.

See also

In Spanish: Richard Dean Anderson para niños