Richard Dean Anderson

Richard Dean Anderson is a Hollywood icon, or he’s at least a TV icon. Best known as MacGyver, Anderson also has ties to another successful long-running series, Stargate SG-1. And he did make a surprise return to Stargate for a very special table read.

Stargate Reboot Plans?

While it seems like nearly every franchise (television show or movie) is getting a reboot these days, it doesn’t seem like it will be the case with Stargate, at least not in the foreseeable future.

When MGM and Amazon announced its most recent programming slate, Stargate was among the properties that made the first cut in terms of coming back into the mix.

It was a disappointing set of circumstances for fans of Richard Dean Anderson, and the franchise in general. But as with all major properties, it’s still too early to completely count this out at some point down the line.

Richard Dean Anderson Returned To Stargate For A Table Read

While it appears Richard Dean Anderson is still effectively retired from on-screen acting, he has returned to his role of Colonel Jack O’Neill on Stargate SG-1, albeit in a different way than fans are accustomed to.

The last several years, The Companion has hosted a table reading of a brand new script for a Stargate SG-1 episode written by artificial intelligence, dubbed Stargate A.I.

While Anderson did not take part in the 2021 reading, he was reported to be reprising his character for the first time in a decade in a streaming event this May.

His former co-star Amanda Tapping (who portrayed Samantha Carter on Stargate SG-1) Tweeted the announcement. It would be the first time in over 12 years that Richard Dean Anderson would reprise that role in any form.

The Companion members could watch it for free on their site, and others can become members for just $39.99 a year.

Richard Dean Anderson Got His Start On General Hospital

Richard Dean Anderson started his acting career quite some time ago. He was first featured on the long-running and highly-rated daily soap opera General Hospital, where he portrayed a doctor (imagine that). If you know your GH history, you will know that Anderson played Dr. Jeff Webber, the son of long-time GH character Dr. Steve Hardy.

Anderson played the character for five years as a recurring role. His character is the father to Dr. Steven Webber, Dr. Sarah Webber, Nurse Elizabeth Webber, and Hayden Barnes, the latter two still on the soap. For the next few years, Anderson bounced from show to show.

He was seen on The Facts Of Life, The Love Boat, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Emerald Point N.A.S. It wasn’t until 1985 that Richard Dean Anderson got his big break. This came in the form of MacGyver.

He Was Picked To Play MacGyver Because He Wasn’t Too Manly

The first MacGyver series was produced back in 1985. The series was set up, in part, by Henry Winkler (Fonzie from the Happy Days), who was able to sell the idea to Paramount. During the search for their MacGyver, the actors who auditioned for the part were too manly.

Not that Richard Dean Anderson wasn’t manly, but they were looking for an actor who could use more brains than brawn. Anderson completely fit the bill. The series revolved around a special agent who would much rather use brains over weapons.

Because of a firearm accident that concluded with the death of his friend, MacGyver preferred not to use or even carry a gun. He also prefers less violent methods of solving problems. His scientific knowledge and methods were even vetted by real scientists to have MacGyver’s solutions be as real as possible.

The hit series ran for seven seasons. It also produced two made-for-TV movies, MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis and MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday. Anderson also reprised his role as MacGyver in the 2012 mini-series Mercedes-Benz: MacGyver and the new Citan.

Richard Dean Anderson Leads Stargate SG-1

There was a five-year gap between the end run of MacGyver and Richard Dean Anderson’s next big role. During that time Anderson was seen in those two MacGyver TV movies as well as Past the Bleachers, Legend, Pandora’s Clock, and Firehouse. Then came along a little thing we know as Stargate SG-1.

Richard Dean Anderson nailed the lead role as Colonel Jack O’Neill, a part played by Kurt Russell in the Roland Emmerich co-written and directed 1994 feature film Stargate. As with MacGyver, SG-1 was a role made perfect for Richard Dean Anderson. For eight seasons he played Jack O’Neill, first as Colonel, then through all ranks of General.

In the last two seasons of SG-1 (seasons nine and 10), Anderson’s O’Neill was only a recurring character. However, he came back full force for the movie Stargate Continuum.

Richard Dean Anderson was also seen in seasons one and three of the series Stargate Atlantis, Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods, and six episodes of Stargate Universe, with his imprint on the Stargate franchise being undeniable.

Richard Dean Anderson Unofficially Retired From Acting In 2013

The last time we saw Richard Dean Anderson in anything to do with Stargate was back in 2010. After that time, he moved on to a few projects. These included the TV series Fairly Legal, Raising Hope, and Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, the latter being in 2013. This would be the last time Richard Dean Anderson would appear on the small screen or in Hollywood.

While Richard Dean Anderson has quit acting (though not officially retired) he keeps himself busy working with various environmental organizations across the globe.

One organization is the Earth Rivers Expedition. Similarly, he is also a member of the Board of Advisors of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.

Richard Dean Anderson also is active on a website in his name. While he doesn’t run the site, he is a frequent contributor, offering updates to his life, his family, and many of his daily dealings. Please check it out if you have any interest in seeing what Angus keeps himself busy with.