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 One, a spin off of the 1994 film, Stargate.

He played the lead from 1997 a euro 2005 and had a recurring role from 2005 A euro seven.

Since 1997.

The only film Anderson has starred in his Stargate Continuum released in 2008 as a spin off film after Stargate SG one 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 J.

Anderson and Jocelyn Ricotta 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 be and girlfriend Diane.

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 Maman 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.

A euro, 1983 he starred as Adam in the CBS television series Seven Brides for seven Brothers.

In the 19 €83.19 84 season, he played Lieutenant Simon Adams on the 22 week Dennis Weaver series Emerald Point N on CBS, stealing away Celia Warren, the wife of naval lawyer, Jack Warren Anderson then played Tony Kaiser and 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 our seven 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 Delance and Legend, a comic series of only 12 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 one based on the movie Stargate starring Kurt Russell and James Spader.

John Symes, president of Metro, a Euro Goldman, a Euro mayor 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 one to be more of an ensemble show so that he would not be carrying the plot alone.

As on Macivor.

In season eight, he chose to have his character promoted to base commander on Dom 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 one opting to make several guest appearance his past season instead allowing his sizeable 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 DC on September 14th, 2004 then Air Force Chief of Staff General John P Dumper presented Anderson with an award because of his role as star and executive producer of Stargate SG One, 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 One.

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 Patti Bouvier.

Marge Simpson's sisters, his Macgyver character having been their long standing heart.

Throb Dan Castellana, the voice actor who portrays Homer Simpson made a guest appearance on Stargate SG one 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 mag over 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 slot off the creator of macgyver announced on May 3rd 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 cameo 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 31st 2009 SNL broadcast and the second part aired again during Super Bowl XL 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 full 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 One Firehouse and from Stargate to Atlantis sci fi lowdown.

Anderson composed the song Od Leo for the Magy episode.

The negotiator, together with Michael Greenberg Anderson created the gecko film corporation.

The company was involved with Stargate SG One producing every episode from 1997 the euro 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 April Prose who gave birth to their daughter, Wylie Quiana Rose Anderson on August 2nd 1998 Anderson left Stargate SG one 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 because 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 four 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 all.

Movie, Richard Dean Anderson, official Twitter, Richard Dean Anderson website.