Richard Dean Anderson : Biography, Pictures, Photos, Trivia, Address, Filmography (Mac Gyver, Stargate SG-1)

. Is on the board of directors of "Handgun Control, Inc". In the TV show "MacGyver" (1985), his character always refused to use guns.

. Dated German ice-skater Katarina Witt.

. Would have played professional Hockey except he broke both of his arms during a game. He then turned to acting.

. Performed as a mime before acting in television.

. Had band called Ricky Dean and Dante during college years.

. Rode his bike 7,000 miles across Canada when he was 17.

. When he was 16, Richard Dean Anderson broke both of his arms in separate accidents on the ice. He broke his left arm first, and while skating 3 weeks later he broke his right arm so badly he was in the hospital for 3 months. His elbow snapped backwards and he's still got pins in there.

. When he was 17, he rode his bike 5,641 miles from Minnesota to Alaska. He started out with some friends but travelled the last 33 days alone.

. Has appeared in two different productions which featured the word "Atlantis" in the title: the TV-movie MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis (1994) (TV) and the TV series "Stargate: Atlantis" (2004).

. Along with Michael Shanks, he is one of only two actors to appear in the pilots of both "Stargate SG-1" (1997) and the spin-off series "Stargate: Atlantis" (2004).

. Is good friends with John de Lancie (who is best known for playing the character of Q in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987), "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993) and "Star Trek: Voyager" (1995)). They have appeared in three different series together: "MacGyver" (1985), "Legend" (1995) and "Stargate SG-1" (1997).

. Although he has never appeared on any "Star Trek" series, he has shared scenes with regulars from all five "Star Trek" series.

. Has appeared in episodes of three different series with Garwin Sanford: "MacGyver" (1985), "Stargate SG-1" (1997) and "Stargate: Atlantis" (2004).

. Has appeared in the pilots of six different series: "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1982), "Emerald Point N.A.S." (1983), "MacGyver" (1985), "Legend" (1995), "Stargate SG-1" (1997) and "Stargate: Atlantis" (2004). The latter is the only one on which he was not a regular.

. Has been a regular on six different series: "General Hospital" (1963), "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1982), "Emerald Point N.A.S." (1983), "MacGyver" (1985), "Legend" (1995) and "Stargate SG-1" (1997).

. His favourite TV show is "The Simpsons" (1989).

. Has appeared in episodes of three different series with Dan Shea: "MacGyver" (1985), "Stargate SG-1" (1997) and "Stargate: Atlantis" (2004).

. Played his most famous character Angus MacGyver a total of 141 times: in all 139 episodes of "MacGyver" (1985) and in two TV-movies, MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis (1994) (TV) and MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday (1994) (TV). The only characters he has played more times are Dr. Jeff Webber in "General Hospital" (1963) and Colonel/Brigadier General Jack O'Neill in "Stargate SG-1" (1997).

. Was presented with an award and made an honourary brigadier general at the Air Force Association's 57th Annual Air Force Anniversary Dinner in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, 14 September 2004 because of his role as star and executive producer of "Stargate SG-1" (1997), a series which has portrayed the Air Force in a positive light since it first premiered. It was presented by the Air Force Chief-of-Staff, General John P. Jumper. The last recipient of the award was James Stewart in 1987.

. Went to Roseville Area High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota

. Was considered for the role of Benjamin Sisko on Star Trek: Deep Space 9.

. His "Stargate SG-1" (1997) character Colonel/Brigadier General Jack O'Neill was ranked #10 in TV Guide's list of the "25 Greatest Sci-Fi Legends" (1 August 2004 issue).