The future MacGyver (1985) and Stargate SG-1 (1997) star was born on January 23, 1950, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His father, Stuart Anderson, was a teacher at a local high school and his mother, Jocelyn, was an artist who was talented in both sculpting and painting. He and his two younger brothers, Thomas John and James Stuart, grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis called Roseville. During his childhood and teenage years, he developed a love for sports, music (especially jazz) and acting.

Filmography

• LEGEND
• Fairly Legal — David Smith
• Raising Hope — Keith
• 2009Stargate - En route vers les étoiles — O'Neil - Lui même
• 2009Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice — Jack O'Neill
• 2009Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods — Colonel Jack O'Neill
• Stargate Universe — Jack O'Neill
• 2008Stargate: Continuum — Major General Jack O'Neill
• Stargate Atlantis — Jack O'Neill
• Stargate SG-1 — Jack O'Neill, Producer
• 1996Firehouse — Lt. Michael Brooks, Executive Producer
• Pandora's Clock — James Holland
• Legend — Ernest Pratt / Nicodemus Legend
• 1995Past the Bleachers — Bill Parish
• 1994Beyond Betrayal — Bradley, Bradley Matthews
• 1994MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis — MacGyver
• 1994MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday — Angus MacGyver, Executive Producer
• 1992In the Eyes of a Stranger — Jack Rourke
• 1992Through the Eyes of a Killer — Ray Bellano
• The Simpsons — Richard Dean Anderson (voice)
• 1986Odd Jobs — Spud
• 1986Ordinary Heroes — Tony Kaiser
• MacGyver — Angus MacGyver
• Emerald Point N.A.S. — Navy Lt. Simon Adams
• Seven Brides for Seven Brothers — Adam McFadden
• 1982Young Doctors in Love — Drug dealer
• The Facts of Life
• The Love Boat — Carter Randall
• Battle of the Network Stars
• Saturday Night Live — MacGyver (uncredited)

Appearances as themselves (4)

• 1988The World's Greatest Stunts: A Tribute to Hollywood Stuntmen — Self (archive footage)
• Entertainment Tonight — Self
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson — Self
• Golden Globe Awards — Self - Presenter