Richard Dean Anderson Turned 73: He Cried at Daughter's Birth, Quit 'MacGyver' for Her & is Happy on Farm (2024)

In his 70s, Richard Dean Anderson, known as secret agent Angus MacGyver, has been living an ordinary life on his farm since he quit the show for his daughter. He was a famous Hollywood bachelor for years, but at 48, he cried after the birth of his only child and became a homebound father.

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On January 23, 2023, Richard Dean Anderson celebrated his 73rd birthday. The actor was living outside the spotlight on a farm in Malibu, and in March 2022, he was spotted in casual clothes running some errands.

Richard was well-known for his role as Angus "Mac" MacGyver but eventually disappeared from the limelight after leaving "MacGyver" in 2004. He left the series because there was something new in his life that he wanted to focus on.

Richard Dean Anderson Turned 73: He Cried at Daughter's Birth, Quit 'MacGyver' for Her & is Happy on Farm (1)

Richard Dean Anderson at the Sea Shepherd Ship Unveiling on October 17, 2009, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

In 1998, he and his ex Apryl Prose welcomed their daughter, Wylie Quinn Annarose, whom Richard wanted to help raise. Although the now single star generally wasn't in the media anymore, in January 2019, he shared a lovely Facebook picture of him and his daughter posing together.

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The pair looked happy and seemed to have a close bond. The actor was almost 50 and quite emotional when he became a first-time parent after living a bachelorhood life.

Hollywood's Busiest Bachelor Cried When He Became a Father at 48

In the past, Richard famously dated women like Katarina Witt, Sela Ward, Marlee Matlin, Lara Flynn Boyle, and Teri Hatcher. His prowess was greater than Warren Beatty, and in 1998 a publication described him as "Hollywood's busiest bachelor."

Richard Dean Anderson Turned 73: He Cried at Daughter's Birth, Quit 'MacGyver' for Her & is Happy on Farm (2)

Richard Dean Anderson as Angus "Mac" MacGyver on "MacGyver" with a July 30, 1990 shoot date | Source: Getty Images

Prose, a former prop and wardrobe stylist for Los Angeles' television and print adverts, heard about Richard's bachelor ways. She presumed he was an actor who couldn't commit in his 40s and believed she'd never date him.

However, in the spring of 1996, Prose's friend Michael Greenburg arranged for her to meet the actor over lunch in New York City. Greenburg was Richard's business partner, and he and Prose flirted immediately upon meeting.

Richard Dean Anderson Turned 73: He Cried at Daughter's Birth, Quit 'MacGyver' for Her & is Happy on Farm (3)

Richard Dean Anderson and Apryl Prose during the Cable ACE Awards in Los Angeles, California on September 6, 1997 | Source: Getty Images

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The former stylist revealed they'd become good friends by the end of the week. She found the star sweet and generous but still doubted him because she thought he'd always want to be a playboy.

Prose called her mother one day and confessed that she'd met a man she wanted to be with forever. She begged her mother not to tell anyone about them because the man had "a bad reputation."

Richard once revealed that when he met Prose, he found her "extremely beautiful" but also "adored" her sense of humor. The actor admitted that they fell in love quickly, and by November 1997, she called and told him she was three weeks pregnant!

The former stylist confessed that the pregnancy hadn't been planned, and she expected him to "freak out." However, he urged her to stay calm and said it would be great, as he'd always wanted to be a father.

Richard Dean Anderson Turned 73: He Cried at Daughter's Birth, Quit 'MacGyver' for Her & is Happy on Farm (4)

Richard Dean Anderson and his daughter during the premiere of "Shrek 4-D" Attraction in Universal City, California, on May 10, 2003 | Source: Getty Images

When the reality of what was happening hit him, Richard started crying, and then he bought all the parenting books he could find! He was even eager to go with Prose to a yoga labor-prep course.

After being with the former stylist for two years, Wylie was born on August 2, 1998, when Richard was 48. Her father confessed that he could sit and stare at her all day, and when he got home from work, the doting parent took over changing his daughter's diaper.

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Richard Dean Anderson Turned 73: He Cried at Daughter's Birth, Quit 'MacGyver' for Her & is Happy on Farm (5)

Richard Dean Anderson in a "Past The Bleachers" promotional photo in 1994 | Source: Getty Images

Strange enough, it was something he loved doing, along with burping and feeding Wylie. The actor was present when his daughter was born and described the moment as "the most overwhelming experience" of his whole life.

The star [Richard Dean Anderson] noted how the moment was one that he'd cherish and declared the day as one that he took pride in.

He decided his role was to support Prose when his daughter didn't cry or breathe when she was born and had to be revived. Doctors and nurses rushed to save her, and when Richard was sure Wylie wasn't in danger anymore, he collapsed.

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The star said he cried with relief and understood at that moment that his life had taken a turn. Sadly, Richard's relationship with Prose failed to last as long as she'd anticipated, but his role in his daughter's life intensified.

Farm Life as Homebound Father after Split with Daughter's Mother

Prose's relationship with Richard concluded in 2003. By 2017, the actor had semiretired from Hollywood and was living a quiet and ordinary life on a farm with his two dogs and his daughter, then ten, whom he took to school in the morning and picked up later.

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Then 59, Richard sacrificed his career to raise his daughter. In June 2012, the loving father showed how proud he was of Wylie by sharing her Twitter photo, revealing she'd graduated from middle school.

The star noted how the moment was one that he'd cherish and declared the day as one that he took pride in. In the image, the little girl smiled softly as she posed in the back seat of a car.

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Richard Dean Anderson Turned 73: He Cried at Daughter's Birth, Quit 'MacGyver' for Her & is Happy on Farm (2024)

FAQs

Did Richard Dean Anderson enjoy MacGyver? ›

"I'm happy with MacGyver; he is a relatively nonviolent character that uses his brain and not his brawn to solve problems," the actor said during an interview with the Carroll County Times in 1987. "Anytime MacGyver makes a bomb, it's a diversionary tactic.

Why did Richard Dean Anderson quit MacGyver? ›

After MacGyver ended, Anderson stated "MacGyver was seven years of being in virtually every frame that was shot and having absolutely no life at all." During the run of the program, Anderson suffered a number of injuries related to doing his own stunt work, some of which required surgery.

How many children did Richard Dean Anderson have? ›

Never married, he had dated many women including such actresses as Teri Hatcher, Lara Flynn Boyle, and Sela Ward as well as German ice-skater Katarina Witt. Since 1996, his partner has been Apryl A. Prose, mother of his only child, Wylie Quinn Annarose Anderson (born August 2, 1998).

What does Richard Dean Anderson's daughter do? ›

Did Richard Dean Anderson do all his own stunts in MacGyver? ›

Anderson used to do all of his own stunts but not any more. “I won't be jumping off of buildings again,” he said laughing.

Who does MacGyver fall in love with? ›

Riley Davis
Interests:Billy Colton (Ex-Boyfriend) Aubrey Jones (Ex-Boyfriend) Angus MacGyver (Love Interest)
Parents:Diane Davis (mother) Elwood Davis (father)
Family:Dolores Davis (paternal grandmother)
Affiliations:The Phoenix Foundation Codex (Formerly/Undercover) The Brink
14 more rows

What does Richard Dean Anderson do these days? ›

After the end of his long - running series , Stargate SG-1 , in 2007 , Anderson took a step back from acting and instead pursued his passion for environmental and humanitarian causes . He has also been busy with his family and spending time at his ranch in Malibu , California .

Where does Richard Dean Anderson currently live? ›

The living area. Richard Dean Anderson's residence in Malibu, California, is worlds away from his hometown of Minneapolis.

Is John Anderson any relation to Richard Dean Anderson? ›

Shares last name with Richard Dean Anderson, and played the grandfather of MacGyver (1985). Despite this, there is no relation. He guest starred in episodes of 3 different TV westerns as the former commander of a Civil War prison camp who was now trying to hide under an assumed name to escape his past.

Who played the first MacGyver? ›

The original MacGyver (1985) and Stargate SG-1 (1997) star was born on January 23, 1950, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

When did the original MacGyver end? ›

MacGyver's seventh season was abbreviated. After the twelfth episode of the season aired on December 30, 1991, MacGyver disappeared from the ABC schedule and did not return until April 25, 1992, by which point the series had been canceled.

Is Richard Dean Anderson a brigadier general? ›

Anderson was presented with general's stars and granted the title of 'honorary brigadier general' by the United States Air Force, for his positive portrayal of the Air Force, shortly after his fictional character Colonel Jack O'Neil was promoted to general on the show.

Who was MacGyver's best friend? ›

Peter Thornton / Patricia Thornton

Peter Thornton (portrayed by Dana Elcar) is MacGyver's boss and best friend. Pete is divorced from Connie Thornton (portrayed by Linda Darlow).

Is MacGyver scientifically accurate? ›

Pretty much all of the hacks are at least based on some real scientific idea. None of them are just magic.

How many seasons of MacGyver were there with Richard Dean Anderson? ›

The show ran for seven seasons on ABC in the United States and various other networks abroad from 1985 to 1992. The series was filmed in Los Angeles during seasons one, two and seven, and in Vancouver during seasons three through six.

Was MacGyver a genius? ›

In both portrayals MacGyver is shown to possess a genius-level intellect, proficiency in multiple languages, superb engineering skills, excellent knowledge of applied physics, military training in bomb disposal techniques, and a preference for non-lethal resolutions to conflicts.

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