Richard Dean Anderson

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Richard Dean Anderson
Anderson at ComicCon
Born	January 23, 1950 (1950-01-23) (age 59) Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Other name(s)	Rick, RDA, The Human Action Man, Our Last Hope[1]
Occupation	Actor, producer, composer

Richard Dean Anderson (born January 23, 1950) is an American television and film actor, 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 (1985–1992). Anderson later appeared in films, including Through the Eyes of a Killer (1992), Pandora's Clock (1996) and Firehouse (1997).

In 1997, Anderson returned to television as the lead actor of the series Stargate SG-1, a spinoff of the 1994 film Stargate, directed by Roland Emmerich. He played the lead from 1997-2005 and had a recurring role from 2005-07. He was also featured as a guest actor in the American animation show, The Simpsons in the episode "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore". Since 1997, the only film Anderson has starred in is Stargate: Continuum released in 2008 as a spinoff film after Stargate SG-1 was cancelled in 2007.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Early life and career 1.2 Later career 1.3 Producer and composer career 1.4 Personal life 2 Filmography 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life and career

Anderson was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Stuart Jay Anderson (died in 2003) and Jocelyn Rhae Carter and was the oldest of four brothers.^[2] He has Scottish, Swedish, and Norwegian ancestry.^{[citation needed]} He grew up in Roseville, Minnesota and attended Ramsey High School. As a kid, Anderson wanted to become a professional hockey player; this dream was shattered 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.^[2] Eventually he studied to become an actor at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio and later at St. Cloud State University but dropped out before he received his degree because he felt "listless". After college, Anderson participated with friends in a cross-country bike ride from Minnesota to Alaska. He then moved to San Francisco, then Manhattan, then moved permanently to Los Angeles in Southern California. At the start he was making a living with juggling among other things.^[3]

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).^[3] Anderson then played Tony Kaiser in the acclaimed TV movie Ordinary Heroes, which aired in 1986.^[4]

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.^[5] He would go on to produce two follow-up movies to MacGyver, in 1994.^[2] 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."^[6]

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 Connor from The New York Times.^[7] Two episodes of MacGyver released in 1990 ("Serenity" (Season 5, Episode 12) and "MacGyver's Women" (Season 6, Episode 8) ) featured Wild Wild West storylines with a style foreshadowing that of the quirky Legend.

[edit] Later career

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.^[8] 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.^[9] 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.^[10] In season eight, he chose to have his character "promoted" to base commander at Don S. Davis' advisement.^[11] 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.^[12] 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). This allowed him to temporarily retire so he could be present during the key years of his daughter's childhood. In 2009, after Anderson's reduced role in the latter seasons of Stargate and the feature film Stargate Continuum, he starred in Past the Bleachers, calling it a "refreshing change" from his old movies and series.^[13]

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.^[14] 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.^[15] Anderson was made an honorary 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 an episode called "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore" in which he is kidnapped by Selma and Patty Bouvier, Marge Simpson's sisters, his MacGyver character having been their longstanding heartthrob.^[5] 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.^[16][17]

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).^[18] 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.^[19] Anderson has expressed interest in revisting his role, however there is no word on who will be playing the role of MacGyver in the film.^[20][21]

Anderson cameoed as Angus 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.^[22][23]

[edit] Producer and composer career

Anderson composed a song for a soundtrack for MacGyver. He has served as an executive producer only in the five shows in which he has acted himself: MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis, MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday, 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".^[1]

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 backing agency.^[24]

[edit] Personal life

Anderson has divided time between Vancouver, Los Angeles, and northern Minnesota.^[3] Never married, Anderson has been romantically linked with Marlee Matlin, Deidre Hall, Lara Flynn Boyle, and others. Since 1996, he has had an ongoing relationship with Apryl Prose, who gave birth to Anderson's first child, daughter Wylie Quinn Annarose Anderson, in August 1998. Anderson left Stargate SG-1 because he wanted to spend more time with his daughter:^[1]

“

"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."

”

Since his MacGyver period, Anderson has supported anti-gun policies.^[25] Anderson has also supported Waterkeeper Alliance, an organization trying to stop water pollution.^[26] 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. 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 Directors of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and has worked with the members of Earth Rivers Expeditions to Produce River Project.^[27][28]

[edit] Filmography

Title	Release date	Format			Role	Note
		TV movie	Film	TV series
General Hospital	1976				Dr. Jeff Webber	Main char.
The Facts of Life	1981				Brian Parker	One-time
Young Doctors in Love	1982				Drug Dealer
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers	1982				Adam McFadden	Main char.
The Love Boat	1982				Carter Randall	Rec. char.
Emerald Point N.A.S.	1983				Navy Lt. Simon Adams	Main char.
MacGyver	1985				Angus MacGyver	Main char.
Odd Jobs	1986				Spud
Ordinary Heroes	1986				Tony Kaiser
In the Eyes of a Stranger	1992				Jack Rourke
Through the Eyes of a Killer	1992				Ray Bellano
MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis	1994				Angus MacGyver
Beyond Betrayal	1994				Bradley Matthews
MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday	1994				Angus MacGyver
Legend	1995				Ernest Pratt / Nicodemus Legend	Main char.
Past the Bleachers	1995				Bill Parish
Pandora's Clock	1996				Capt. James Holland
Stargate SG-1	1997				Jack O'Neill	Main char.
Newton's Apple	1997				Himself	One-time
Stargate Atlantis	2004				Jack O'Neill	Rec. char.
The Simpsons	2006				Himself	One-time
Stargate: Continuum	2008				Jack O'Neill
Stargate Extinction	2009				Jack O'Neill

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Richard Dean Anderson

• Richard Dean Anderson at the Internet Movie Database
• Richard Dean Anderson at Allmovie

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Persondata
NAME	Anderson, Richard Dean
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	RDA; Anderson, Richard
SHORT DESCRIPTION	American Actor, played in MacGyver and Stargate
DATE OF BIRTH	January 23, 1950
PLACE OF BIRTH	Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH