Richard Dean Anderson

Richard Dean Anderson is probably best known as MacGyver, the clever and inventive nonviolent hero who solved problems in his own unique way for seven successful seasons on ABC. In his roles before and since, this gifted actor has continued to demonstrate his remarkable talent and versatility.

Richard came to national attention in 1976 as Dr. Jeff Webber on the popular daytime drama "General Hospital." After five years in that role, he felt it was time to move on, and he left to try his hand at prime time television. He appeared in two short-lived television series for CBS, as the eldest brother in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" in 1982, and as a hot-shot Naval pilot in "Emerald Point N.A.S." in 1983, as well as numerous guest appearances in other series.

In 1985 Richard was cast in his signature role as MacGyver on ABC. He has told the story of how he won the role. He had been called in for an audition, and asked to "cold read" an unfamiliar script. Being very nearsighted, he asked to wear his glasses for the reading, and that simple unselfconscious gesture immediately convinced the show's producers that they had found the right man to become their unpretentious hero. MacGyver ran for seven successful years and continues to enjoy popularity all around the world.

He then went on to develop and produce several films and series with his production company, Gekko Film Corp. In the first project, Richard acted as both star and executive producer of two MacGyver movies for television, "MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis" and "MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday." Their next project for Gekko was the 1995 TV series "Legend" for UPN.

His next appearance was as the heroic captain of a doomed airliner in the 1996 blockbuster NBC miniseries "Pandora's Clock," which received critical acclaim. He followed this success by joining with MGM/UA and Showtime television in a joint deal with Gekko Film Corp to produce and star in the new science fiction series "Stargate SG-1", based on the 1994 movie.

An avid hockey fan, in 1988 and 1992, Richard was chosen to be the honorary captain of Team USA, the United States Olympic hockey team, and he takes pride in his opportunities to become an ambassador for the sport.

Anderson joined the cast of Fairly Legal on USA Network in Fall 2010 in the recurring role of David Smith, appearing in three episodes.