The name of Richard Dean Andersen is known to the viewer mainly due to his roles in the series Secret Agent McGyver and Stargate SG-1. Today we offer a closer look at the details of the career and personal life of the actor and producer.
Richard Dean Anderson: biography
The future popular actor was born in 1950, January 23. His family then lived in the city of Minneapolis (Minnesota, USA), but subsequently they moved to Roseville. Richard Dean's parents were closely associated with art. So, Stuart Anderson, his father, taught drama, English and the humanities to high school students at a local school, and mother Jocelyn was a talented artist and sculptor. In total, the Andersen family had four children. As a child, Richard Dean did not even think about an acting career. So, his dreams were connected with a professional game of hockey. However, this desire was not destined to surrender due to the fact that at the age of sixteen the young man received a very serious injury. Therefore, he had to say goodbye to professional sports forever. However, young Anderson was always distinguished by a craving for exploits and accomplishments. The trauma suffered did not prevent him, at the age of 17, from traveling on a bicycle seven thousand kilometers long! During this trip, the young man visited Canada and Alaska.
Youth
After graduating from high school, Richard Dean Anderson (photos of him can be seen in this article) decided to try his hand at acting. He entered St. Claude Drama State University in Ohio. However, the hero of our story shortly before graduation left school and went to travel, explaining this by the need to find himself. During this period, the future actor managed to live in New York and San Francisco. As a result, fate brought him to Los Angeles, where he worked as a street juggler and mime, and also performed humorous couplets in a cabaret. In addition, he took part in avant-garde productions. So, for example, he played the main role of Superman in the play “Bones” of the Pilgrimage Theater. Also, Richard Dean was a member of a rock band founded by his friend Carl Dante for some time. In this collective, he acted as a vocalist and guitarist.
Carier start
Anderson's first serious acting job was to take part in the filming of the series “Main Hospital,” which appeared on the screens from 1976 to 1981. Richard Dean got the role of Dr. Webber. After filming, which lasted several years, the actor decided to work in another television series. So, he played the role of one of the brothers in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." The series was released in 1982.
Success
Richard Dean Anderson, whose films are known to many viewers today, was able to achieve real popularity in 1985. During this period, he began acting in the series Secret Agent McGyver, where he was approved for the main role. Both the picture and the actor immediately fell in love with the viewer. Therefore, all the time the series was broadcast (from 1985 to 1992), he was very popular and had high ratings.
The next notable work of Richard Dean was the leading role in the comic series "Legends", which was released in 1995. It consisted of 12 episodes and told the story of a writer who was forced to pretend to be the heroes of his own works.
In 1997, Anderson was approved for the lead role of Colonel Jack O'Neill in the series "Stargate: SG-1", created based on the acclaimed film "Stargate" with the participation of Kurt Russell and James Spader. After five successful seasons, Richard Dean asked the producers and screenwriters to reduce his involvement in the project. The fact is that the actor wanted to devote as much time as possible to his daughter. Gradually, his hero was removed from the main storyline, and he appeared only as a guest star in several episodes.
"The Simpsons"
Richard Dean has always been a fan of the popular animated television series The Simpsons. And in 2005 he was invited to participate in the show as a guest. So, Anderson in the 17th series of the 17th season voiced himself. According to the script, the actor was kidnapped by Patty and Selma Bouvier. Interestingly, Dan Castellaneta, whose voice in the animated series speaks Homer Simpson and many other characters, was also a guest star in episodes of the Stargate: SG-1 project.
Other jobs
Richard Dean Anderson, whose filmography mainly includes serial films and TV shows, in 1997 surprised fans by participating in the work on the acclaimed computer game Fallout. In it, he voiced the mayor of Junktown, erected from the waste left after the nuclear war, by the name of Killian Darkwater.
In 2006, Anderson again appeared before the audience as Angus McGyver, appearing in an advertisement for MasterCard.
Personal life
Interestingly, Anderson in his life has never tied the knot, although he had many novels. So, at different times, his friends were Sela Ward, Lara Flynn Boyle, Teri Hatcher, Katarina Witt and others. The actor also has a daughter. Her name is Wiley Quinn Annarouz. She was born in 1998, and her mother is April Prose.
Today, Anderson lives in Vancouver and Los Angeles. He also owns real estate in upstate Minnesota.
Interesting Facts
- Anderson is a big fan of hockey and skiing. Interestingly, on the set of sports scenes, he did not resort to the help of an understudy.
- In 2004, the actor was presented for an award for helping to create a positive image of the US Air Force for his work in the Stargate: SG-1 project. He was awarded the title of Honorary Brigadier General.