The 1985 series MacGyver is a real classic and part of it is thanks to Richard Dean Anderson! From 1985 to 1992 the 72-year-old American actor played the main character "Angus MacGyver" also known as "Mac", an optimistic action hero who worked as a secret agent for the fictional Department of External Services, and as a troubleshooter for the also fictional Phoenix Foundation in Los Angeles.
Richard Dean Anderson before MacGyver
At the time of joining the cast of MacGyver Richard Dean Anderson had already appeared in some television shows like General Hospital, Today's F.B.I., and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, but it seems that his work as "Mac" opened him more doors in Hollywood. The last episode of MacGyver was air in 1992 but Richard Dean Anderson went on acting; in 1997 he started to appear in the Stargate franchise as "Jack O'Neill" in Stargate SG-1, reprising his role in Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe, in 2004 and 2009, respectively, as well as in the 2008 film Stargate SG-1 Continuum. But what has the star been up to lately?
What is the MacGyver star Richard Dean Anderson doing now?
Richard Dean Anderson has been working on different projects lately. In 2011 he played the roles of "David Smith" in the American legal comedy-drama series Fairly Legal, and "Keith" in the sitcom Raising Hope. One year later he reprised his role as "Angus MacGyver" in the 2012 show Mercedes Benz: MacGyver and the New Citan; and most recently in 2013 he played himself in one episode of the American sitcom Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23.
In recent years, the actor has been very active within environmental organizations all over the world. He is actually a member of the Board of Advisors of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and has worked with the Earth Rivers Expeditions.
Five interesting facts about Richard Dean Anderson
- Like his two most famous characters, "Angus MacGyver" and "Jack O'Neill" the actor was raised in Minnesota
- He has a daughter named Wylie Quinn, who is in her 20s!
- Richard Dean Anderson wanted to be a professional hockey player... until he broke both of his arms
- He used to perform as a mime before acting in television
- "Angus MacGyver's" birthday is January 23, 1950, the same as Anderson's!
