Richard Dean Anderson (Rick) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Stuart Jay Anderson and Jocelyn Rhae Carter and was the oldest of four brothers. He is of Scottish, Swedish, Norwegian and MohawkNative American descent. He grew up in Roseville, Minnesota and attended Ramsey High School. As a kid, Rick wanted to become a professional hockey player; this dream was shattered when he broke both his arms. He developed an early interest in music, art and acting. For a short time he tried to become a jazz musician. Eventually he studied to become an actor at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio and later at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota but dropped out before he received his degree because he felt "listless". Right after his junior year in high school, Rick participated with friends in a cross-country bike ride from Minnesota to Alaska. He then moved to San Francisco, then New York, then moved permanently to Los Angeles. At the start he was making a living with juggling among other things.

Rick's first role was in the American soap opera, General Hospital as Dr. Jeff Webber from 1976 to 1981. In 1982–1983 He starred as Adam in the CBS television series Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (based very loosely on the movie of the same name). In the 1983–1984 season, he played Lieutenant Simon Adams on the 22-week Dennis Weaver series Emerald Point N.A.S. on CBS. Then he played Tony Kaiser in the acclaimed TV movie Ordinary Heroes, which aired in 1986.

Rick came to fame in the lead role of Angus MacGyver in the hit television series MacGyver, which lasted from 1985 to 1992 and was highly successful throughout its 7-year run. He would go on to produce two follow-up movies to MacGyver, in 1994. After the cancellation of MacGyver, Rick stated "MacGyver was seven years of being in virtually every frame that was shot and having absolutely no life at all."

From 1997 to 2005, Anderson starred as Jack O'Neill in Stargate SG-1, based on the movie Stargate starring Kurt Russell and James Spader. John Symes president of Metro–Goldwyn–Mayer (MGM) called Rick himself and asked him if he wanted a part in the series. Rick watched the Stargate film over and over again and came to the conclusion that the film had "great potential" and signed a contract with the Stargate producers. He agreed to become involved with the project if his character was allowed significantly more comedic leeway than Kurt Russell's character in the feature film. He also requested Stargate SG-1 to be more of an ensemble show, so that he would not be carrying the plot alone as on MacGyver. In season eight, he chose to have his character "promoted" to base commander on Don S. Davis's advice.This enabled the late Davis to retire from acting due to his ailing health, and Rick to take over the smaller role which involved far less on-location shooting so that he could spend more time with his young daughter. The following season, Rick terminated his status as star and producer of Stargate SG-1 opting to make several guest appearances per season instead, allowing his sizable role to be filled by veteran actors Ben Browder (replacing Rick as field commander), Claudia Black (replacing Rick as the comic relief) and Emmy nominee Beau Bridges (replacing Anderson as Base commander).

Rick composed a song for a soundtrack for MacGyver. He has served as an executive producer in five shows in which he has acted himself: MacGyver: Lost Treasure of Atlantis, MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday, Stargate SG-1, Firehouse and From Stargate to Atlantis: Sci Fi Lowdown. Anderson composed the song "Eau d'Leo" for the MacGyver episode "The Negotiator".

Together with Michael Greenburg, Rick created the Gekko Film Corporation. The company was involved with Stargate SG-1, producing every episode from 1997–2007 with the exception of 2006. The company itself has served as Rick's backing agency.

Rick has divided time between Vancouver, Los Angeles, and northern Minnesota. Never married, he has one child with Apryl Prose, who gave birth to their daughter Wylie Quinn Annarose Anderson, on August 2, 1998. (He and Prose later split in 2002, sharing custody of Wylie).

Rick has supported Waterkeeper Alliance, an organization trying to stop water pollution. He is a member of the Board of Trustees for Challengers Boys and Girls Club, a youth organization established in 1968 with the help of MacGyver producer Stephen Downing, and featured in an episode from season 4. He received the 1995 Celebrity Award from the Make-a-Wish Foundation because of his commitment to the foundation. He is also a supporter for various Sclerosis Society non-profit organizations and has done several public service announcements to show his support for the various organizations. Rick is an avid supporter of the Special Olympics and was one of many speakers at the 1991 opening ceremonies. In recent years, he has helped several environmental organizations around the world. He is a member of Board of Advisors of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and has worked with the members of Earth Rivers Expeditions to Produce River Project.

Rick's doing a lot of good for society, but we have no clue to his relationship with God.  Does he think about it?  What are his opinions?  I couldn't find anything.  Pray for Rick with me, this week, that God will draw him to His Son and into a personal relationship with Him for eternity.  This is the only way to inherit eternal life: as a gift from God.

--Heidi