Richard Dean Anderson, a prominent American actor, television producer, and composer, boasts a net worth estimated at $30 million. His career, spanning several decades, began in the 1970s and saw him rise to fame in the 1980s and early 1990s. Anderson is most widely recognized for his lead roles in the television series MacGyver and Stargate: SG-1 . He appeared in every one of MacGyver ’s 139 episodes and starred in 173 out of 214 episodes of Stargate: SG-1 , even taking on producer responsibilities for the latter during its entire run.
Early Years and Influences
Born on January 23, 1950, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Richard Dean Anderson grew up in Roseville alongside three brothers. His family background is a mix of Mohawk, Scandinavian, and Scottish heritage. His father was a teacher, and his mother pursued art. Originally, Anderson dreamed of becoming a professional hockey player. However, this ambition ended abruptly in high school after he broke both arms.
Richard Dean Anderson (Image via Getty)
Following his injury, Anderson shifted focus to his artistic interests, namely art, music, and acting. Music, particularly jazz, initially captured his passion. After high school, he studied acting at St. Cloud University before transferring to Ohio University, where he earned his degree. College life did not completely satisfy him, prompting him to go on a cross-country bicycle trip from Minnesota to Alaska with friends.
Eventually, Anderson settled in Los Angeles with his then-girlfriend to fully pursue acting. To support himself during this early stage, he took on various odd jobs — working as a whale handler at a marine park, performing at a medieval-themed restaurant, and even street mime performances. He recalls this time as the happiest in his life despite the challenges.
Rise to Television Stardom
Anderson’s breakthrough role came with the soap opera General Hospital , where he played Dr. Jeff Webber from 1976 to 1981. This role provided crucial exposure and paved the way for other TV appearances. He made guest appearances on The Facts of Life and starred in the series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers . By the mid-1980s, he also secured a part in Emerald Point N.A.S.
His TV movie Ordinary Heroes (late 1980s) received positive reviews, but his defining moment arrived in 1985 when he landed the lead role in MacGyver . This show, which ran for seven seasons, became iconic due to Anderson’s portrayal of a resourceful action hero who favored using his wits and a Swiss Army knife rather than firearms. MacGyver achieved widespread acclaim and transformed Anderson into a household name.
During MacGyver ’s run, Anderson’s commitments left him little room for other projects, although he did star in spin-off movies related to the series. After the show ended, he resurfaced in 1997 with the lead role in Stargate SG-1 , a science fiction series inspired by the 1994 film Stargate . Anderson negotiated creative input, especially insisting on moments of comedy and ensemble storytelling to share the show’s responsibilities.
Richard Dean Anderson (Image via Getty)
By season eight of Stargate SG-1 , Anderson reduced his on-screen presence due to health reasons and eventually retired from acting. Besides his major roles, he also co-starred in the 1995 series Legend , guest-voiced on The Simpsons in 2005, and appeared briefly on Fairly Legal in 2010.
Behind the Camera: Producer and Entrepreneur
Anderson’s talents extend beyond acting. He has held executive producer roles for several projects, including MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis , Stargate SG-1 , and Legend . While working on Stargate SG-1 , he co-founded Gekko Film Corporation with Michael Greenburg, which produced every episode of the series from 1997 until 2007, except for 2006 when the company was inactive.
Brand Collaborations
During his time as MacGyver, Anderson also lent his image to various brand endorsements, including commercials for Mastercard and Pepsi. These ventures further boosted his public profile and income.
Health Challenges and Retirement
Anderson has generally kept his private life guarded. However, some details about his health have surfaced following his retirement from Stargate SG-1 . Reports suggest that he underwent surgery for a leg injury, which required steroid treatments. These treatments reportedly led to additional health complications. The injuries necessitating surgery are believed to stem from the physically demanding nature of his roles throughout his career.
Richard Dean Anderson (Image via Getty)
Personal Life and Family
Anderson prefers to keep his personal life private, but it is known that he was in a long-term relationship with designer Apryl Rose. Although the couple never married, they have a daughter together, who is a significant part of their lives. Anderson has publicly stated that his decision to leave Stargate SG-1 was greatly influenced by his desire to spend more time with her and be a more present father. He divides his time between homes in Vancouver, Minnesota, and Los Angeles, allowing him to balance his family commitments with his professional endeavors in the entertainment industry.
Real Estate Investments
Anderson’s real estate holdings reflect his success. In 1987, he bought a 3,800-square-foot home in Malibu for $1.06 million, situated on a bluff with ocean views. Later, in 1998, he acquired a second Malibu property for $2 million, believed to be adjacent to his first home.
By 2007, the original ranch-style home had become worn down, prompting Anderson to commission a new 7,000-square-foot residence inspired by classic barn designs reminiscent of his Minnesota upbringing. This property was featured in a 2017 issue of Architectural Digest . Today, its assessed value exceeds $9.5 million, with an annual property tax bill of around $112,000.
In addition to Malibu, Anderson reportedly owns a cozy condominium in Laguna Woods, California, as well as several other properties located in Minnesota and Vancouver.
Richard Dean Anderson’s journey from an aspiring hockey player to a beloved television icon highlights a diverse and successful career filled with remarkable achievements. Throughout his life, he has been deeply involved in various entertainment fields, including acting, producing, and business ventures. In addition to his professional accomplishments, his careful management of personal health and privacy has allowed him to maintain a strong sense of well-being. This combination of dedication and talent has contributed to a lasting legacy that continues to resonate with fans and followers, resulting in considerable wealth and influence in the industry.
Angelina Jolie is currently not married to anyone. The Academy Award-winning actress and humanitarian has been single since her divorce from Brad Pitt was finalized in 2019, following an eight-year legal battle that concluded in December 2024. While she has maintained that she doesn’t have much of a social life and focuses primarily on her six children, her romantic history has been one of Hollywood’s most closely watched narratives.
The 49-year-old actress has been married three times throughout her life, each relationship marking significant chapters in both her personal journey and public persona. From her early marriage to British actor Jonny Lee Miller in the 1990s to her highly publicized relationship with Billy Bob Thornton, and finally her decade-long partnership with Brad Pitt that dominated tabloid headlines worldwide, Jolie’s love life has consistently captured public attention. Her relationships have often intersected with her professional life, as she met each of her husbands on movie sets, creating some of Hollywood’s most memorable on-screen and off-screen partnerships.
Angelina Jolie (Image via Getty)
Today, Jolie prioritizes her role as a mother to Maddox, Zahara, Pax, Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox, describing them as “the closest people to me and my life” and her “close friends”. As she continues to focus on her humanitarian work and acting career, speculation about her romantic future occasionally surfaces, particularly regarding potential reconciliation with her first husband, Jonny Lee Miller, with whom she maintains a close friendship.
First Marriage: Jonny Lee Miller (1996-1999)
Angelina Jolie’s first serious adult relationship began on the set of the 1995 cyberthriller “Hackers,” where she met British actor Jonny Lee Miller. Their connection was immediate and intense, leading to a spontaneous wedding in March 1996 when Jolie was just 20 years old and Miller was 23. The ceremony itself became legendary for its unconventional nature – Jolie wore black rubber pants and a white T-shirt with the groom’s name written in her own blood.
Despite their strong initial connection, the marriage faced challenges from demanding work schedules that kept them apart frequently. Jolie later explained that their busy careers made it difficult to maintain their relationship across long distances. The couple separated in 1997, just one year after their wedding, though Jolie didn’t file for divorce until February 1999, with the proceedings finalized shortly before her next marriage.
What sets Jolie’s relationship with Miller apart from her other marriages is their enduring friendship. She has consistently spoken positively about him, calling him “a solid man and a solid friend”. At the 2025 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Jolie expressed her happiness about their continued relationship, noting that “he and I have sons the same age, and I’m so happy”. Recent reports have even suggested the possibility of reconciliation, with sources indicating that many in Jolie’s circle believe it would be “a no-brainer”.
Second Marriage: Billy Bob Thornton (2000-2003)
Following a brief two-month courtship, Jolie married actor Billy Bob Thornton on May 5, 2000, in Las Vegas. They had met on the set of “Pushing Tin” in 1999, though they didn’t pursue a relationship initially since Thornton was engaged to actress Laura Dern and Jolie was reportedly dating Timothy Hutton.
Their marriage quickly became a media sensation due to their eccentric public displays of affection, most notably wearing vials of each other’s blood around their necks. The couple’s passionate declarations of love made them a favorite subject of entertainment media, though their intense relationship proved unsustainable.
Adoption and Separation
During their marriage, Jolie and Thornton announced the adoption of a child from Cambodia in March 2002, but they abruptly separated just three months later. Thornton filed for divorce, citing their different lifestyles as the primary reason for their split. Their divorce was finalized on May 27, 2003. Years later, Thornton reflected on their relationship positively, explaining that while their time together was great, “we just had different lifestyles. Hers is a global lifestyle and mine is an agoraphobic lifestyle”.
Third Marriage: Brad Pitt (2005-2019)
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt (Image via Getty)
Jolie’s most high-profile and longest relationship began in 2005 when she met Brad Pitt on the set of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”. This relationship sparked significant controversy since Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston at the time, leading to accusations that Jolie caused their divorce. However, Jolie consistently denied having an affair, stating she could never be intimate with a married man given her father’s infidelity toward her mother.
The Brangelina Era
The couple, dubbed “Brangelina” by the media, became one of Hollywood’s most glamorous and watched couples. Their relationship evolved into a global phenomenon, with their family growing to include six children-three adopted (Maddox, Zahara, and Pax) and three biological (Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne). They announced their engagement in April 2012 and married in a private ceremony at Château Miraval in France on August 23, 2014.
After two years of marriage, the couple separated on September 15, 2016, with Jolie filing for divorce four days later, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce proceedings became complicated and contentious, involving custody battles and disputes over their French winery. The legal battle continued for eight years, with the divorce finally being finalized in April 2019, though related legal issues persisted until December 2024.
Other Notable Relationships
Jenny Shimizu
During her marriage to Miller, Jolie also developed a relationship with model and actress Jenny Shimizu on the set of “Foxfire” in 1996. Jolie openly discussed her attraction to Shimizu, stating in 1997 that she “would probably have married Jenny if I hadn’t married my husband”. This relationship was significant as it marked Jolie’s public acknowledgment of her bisexuality, with her stating in 2003, “Of course. If I fell in love with a woman tomorrow, would I feel that it’s okay to want to kiss and touch her? Absolutely! Yes!”
The Weeknd
More recently, Jolie was rumored to have had a brief connection with musician The Weeknd, though details about this alleged relationship remain largely speculative.
Current Status and Future Outlook
As of 2025, Angelina Jolie remains single and has expressed that she doesn’t maintain much of a social life, instead focusing entirely on her six children and her humanitarian work. She describes her children as her closest friends and emphasizes that they are “seven very different people, which is our strength”.
While speculation continues about potential romantic developments, particularly regarding a possible reconciliation with Jonny Lee Miller, Jolie appears content with her current life priorities. Her journey through love has been marked by intensity, public scrutiny, and ultimately, a focus on family and personal growth that continues to define her approach to relationships today.
