Unforgettable interpreter of MacGyver, who only used his intelligence and his Swiss army knife to defeat the bad guys, Richard Dean Anderson left his mark on the history of the small screen. What has happened since the immense success of this series?
Working for the Phoenix Foundation, MacGyver is called upon for help whenever a perilous situation requires it. A follower of non-violence, he only uses his intelligence, his malice and his legendary Swiss army knife to overcome plots, attacks and other sinister projects.
From 1985 to 1992, the (mis)adventures of the special agent played by Richard Dean Anderson brought joy to series fans, amazed by the absolutely incredible inventiveness (in every sense of the word) of this character (and series) which marked the history of the small screen.
If the actor was able to bounce back after the triumph of this series and its seven seasons, he remains marked by this experience. And has, for several years now, moved away from film sets.
From Soap Opera to MacGyver
It was in 1976 that the public discovered the actor for the first time on television, in the soap opera Alliances & Betrayals, where he played Dr. Jeff Webber in many episodes. Five years later, Richard Dean Anderson collaborated with CBS for two series in which he played the main role: first, in 1982, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, adapted from the eponymous musical film by Stanley Donen; then, the following year, Scandals at the Admiralty, created by Esther and Richard Shapiro.
The actor gained further notoriety from 1985, playing the protagonist of the series MacGyver, created by Lee David Zlotoff, a secret agent adept at non-violence, using only his intelligence and his Swiss army knife to overcome plots and other sinister projects. Counting among its producers Henry Winkler (the Fonzie from Happy Days!), the series, broadcast on ABC, enjoyed uninterrupted success for 7 seasons, both in the United States and internationally.
ABC
In the meantime, the actor also starred in the TV movie Ordinary Heroes, where he played a blind Vietnam veteran. Directing his career towards the small screen, Richard Dean Anderson was also considered for the role of Commander Benjamin Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, ultimately assigned to Avery Brooks.
A disappointment quickly forgotten, since the actor once again put on the MacGyver costume which definitely suited him so well in 1994, for two TV films of which he was also a producer: The Treasure of Atlantis and The Road to Hell.
The Stargate Rebound
Back as a regular for the only season of the space western Legend, the actor then dons the uniform of an airplane pilot in the disaster mini series Destination Unknown, then that of a firefighter in Firehouse.
In 1997, MGM president John Symes offered him the lead role in the science fiction series Stargate SG-1, a spin-off from Roland Emmerich’s blockbuster Stargate. Richard Dean Anderson then agreed to lend his features to Colonel Jack O’Neill, ensuring that his character was lighter than in the original version (played by Kurt Russell) and surrounded by a team.
Thus, alongside Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge and Michael Shanks among others, he delights fans, who also occasionally find him in the numerous spin-offs (Atlantis, Continuum or Universe).
Price of fame, Richard Dean Anderson is even invited in an episode of the seventeenth season of his favorite show, The Simpsons, to double his own role. In “Our Homer who is a God” (“Kiss Kiss, Bang Bangalore” in original version), he finds himself kidnapped and kidnapped by the twin sisters of Marge Simpson, Patty and Selma, unconditional fans of MacGyver.
MGM
“I didn’t find it very exciting!”
In 2005, the actor decided to continue starring in the last two seasons of Stargate SG-1 as a guest, in order to devote more time to his daughter; in addition to some appearances in sitcoms (Facing Kate, Raising Hope, Don’t Trust the B—— in Apartment 23) and video game dubbing Stargate: Unleashed.
In 2016, CBS decided to relaunch MacGyver in a modernized version. The production approached Richard Dean Anderson, asking him not obviously to reprise his cult role, but to appear in the form of a wink, as a passing of the baton for the new generation.
“When I asked to see some scripts and some scenes, I discovered that I didn’t find it very exciting. And I didn’t really want to be there, I admit, so I declined the invitation, and once the show aired and I was able to see it, I was happy I made that decision.” he confided later.
Christophe Clovis / Bestimage
Richard Dean Anderson at the 25th edition of the Paris Manga & Sci-Fi show in Paris in 2018.
Now 74 years old, he divides his time between Vancouver, Los Angeles and his home in northern Minnesota. A life far from film sets, with the exception of two participations in the two versions of Stargate, Atlantis and Universe.
Very active in the ecological and humanitarian cause, he was also credited as executive producer in the credits of the documentary Why Just One?raising public awareness about the protection of sea turtles.
Discreet about his private life, he does not disdainregularly walk the aisles of fan conventionsalways remembering a character largely anchored in Pop Culture.
“You can do anything you want, if you put your mind to it.” regularly released MacGyver between two DIY projects. A principle that Richard Dean Anderson has made his own in a beautiful and rich career in television.