Dr. Daniel Jackson

Television Version

Image pilfered from someones site.  Was it yours?

Michael  Shanks

Michael Garrett Shanks has certainly been winning hearts and influencing people with his portrayal of Dr. Daniel Jackson lately - as his long list of online fan sites can attest to.

Shanks is of Scottish decent (Welsh even, I think) and is a Canadian by birth  (Vancouver - to pinpoint it for you).   He  grew up in Kamloops, BC with one older brother- who is not an actor "One in the family is enough". .  

History has it he stumbled into acting when he was walking past a shoot site for a tv series called "MacGyver" (how's THAT for irony!! Talk about staring at the face of your future - I wonder what episode it was...??).  Realising that he needed a few arts credits to his Business Degree at the University of British Colombia, he decided to dabble in a few acting classes.   Discovering that he enjoyed it far more than his Business Major he changed his degree to the Arts (luckily for us) and ended up with a BA in Fine Arts. 

Well, that's ONE version. 

In a chat Michael stated that acting is something he's always wanted to do and been doing since he was about 5 years old on an amateur level through school and community theatres. He said his highschool teacher made him pursue it and he is grateful to her (as are we) for that!

(Maybe seeing MacGyver gave him the spur on to do television instead of theatre.    )

He then decided to further his talent, so he travelled to Ontario and joined the world renowned Stratford Shakespeare Festival, spending two years there.   You can pick a Shakespearian actor (IMHO) because they tend to know what to do with their hands when acting!  Watch him.. Shanks uses his hands and upper body a lot more than some actors on television.   It's nice to see an actor so totally comfortable onscreen. Infact, it's great and it's endearing..

....  Oh shoot!   Daniel  *is* endearing. 

Almost childlike at times, Daniel jumps up and down when he gets excited by something, his eyes grow wide in wonderment and awe at some of the things he's privilege to see... As Michael sums up so beautifully " He exists in a place of childish wonderment and fascination that every child has, but loses when they become an adult."

That enthusiasm, teamed with Shank's own good looks (complete with big blue eyes, floppy fringe, pouting bottom lip and stubble - on occasion) and a pair of little round rimmed glasses makes him a cert for Fan Base on the Internet (and off). 

Apparently he is the cast member with the *most* Internet Attraction  and he does get gently ribbed for it by fellow cast members, but he seems to take it all in his long legged stride. 

(Oops.. Sorry to add to the torment now Michael <evil grin>   However....... I actually find that weird!!   I'd have thought Ricky-babe would have had a huge following out there.. or is that just another "me" thing happening here?? *sigh* Probably hahaha)

Shanks also states that he doesn't much mind Daniel being the whipping boy of SG-1. Doesn't mind - that is, provided Daniel always gets up and goes on again.  (Okay....... I'm only reporting what he said.. I cannot be responsible for what you're thinking right now ;-D - or is that only *me* again too???).

Something he doesn't much like is what he sees as the stereotyping of Daniel through his allergies.  He's glad that they are fading that out.... but I thought it was nice that travel makes Daniel's allergies play up.  Then again, the guy is also scared of heights... so we don't want him having too many *problems*.. I guess :) 

He admits that, like Daniel, he drinks a lot of coffee .... but unlike Daniel, he doesn't need glasses.  Now this is a pity because we can see that the guy is wearing the glasses less and less on screen now - a topic of conversation at present on the Bulletin Boards!   *sigh* Such a pity!  Cos the glasses looks sooooo damned cute - and really makes Daniel..  (IMHO)!!!   But you can decide for yourself..

  Similar to his character in the series, Shanks is an avid reader of books on various cultures and different mythologies, giving his portrayal an interesting edge and depth, but he has admitted to being daunted by us fans who know more on the subject than himself and having to then admit that he's *faking it* most of the time. 

 Leave the research to the writer's I say, afterall, Daniel Jackson is the character, Michael Shanks is the person. The two are not the same  !

Which leads us to the separation of the on-screen and the off-screen. What's it like off-screen? 

Apparently the feeling amongst the cast is said to be almost "family" with Richard Dean Anderson being like the sometimes grumpy Uncle - supposedly!  *shrugs*  Hey!  I just read that somewhere... don't blame me - I cant see it either - not Ricky-Babe  haha! ).  

Shanks talks about how close they all are and that they like to go and do things together off camera as well (especially ski), but declined to talk specifics (Hmmm, now if *that* isn't intriguing I don't know what is!!)   

Away from the set, Shanks likes to roller blade, windsurf, ski,  play hockey, and (I believe) he is a born again Golfer! Hey, I love golf!  I wouldn't mind playing a round with him!! Oh, *blush*, you know what I mean.... ;-D

He is actively involved with several charities including the ASPCA and the Veteran's Association. Cute!

It's reported that Christopher Judge (Teal'C) looks upon Michael as a younger brother (there is a four year gap in age, Judge being the elder) and as a best friend.  Sweet!

So what else might you have seen him in???  Well if you're a theatre-goer then you may have caught any one of his plays with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival when he appeared in the stage productions of " Amadeus," "McBeth," "The Merry Wives of Windsor," "King Lear" and the "Merchant of Venice."

His other theatre credits include "Love of the Nightingale," "Translations," " Wait Until Dark" and "Loves Labors Lost."  

On television he's appeared in "The Outer Limits," "Highlander," "The Commish," Spelling's "University Hospital" and the Canadian series "Madison" (which is currently running here in Australia.   Channel 2 - I believe).

He's made a couple of television movies as well.   "A Family Divided" and the mini-series "Eye Level. " Shanks also appeared in the motion picture "The Call of the Wild" with Rutger Hauer (Due out in Australia mid-December).

According to the MSOOF Email Interview with him (Sat, Aug 22nd) he was schedule to do Hamlet for the new Stanley Theatre in Vancouver over the hiatus of the show..   He will (of course) be playing Hamlet....  *sigh* - looooove Hamlet - the play! My favourite all time play!  Get thee to a nunnery!!   Pfft! Yeah right! 

So, that's it.. that's all I know... and now all I know is what you know too!

I'd like to say that I learnt all about this over a hot cup of coffee in front of a fireplace with Michael..

.... but alas.. it is not true.  I pilfered it from the MSOOF site - Gatewatchers site, various interviews -  but NOT the Internet Movie Database which has - under his Biography [  Height: 6' 0" ]  and that's it!  I think someone should rectify that actually.. I'm sure you agree there's a LOT more to Michael Shanks than just Height!  Hahaha

Thanks for listening to my prattle...  Hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about him... and pop back from time to time to see if I've updated this at all ... 

If you want more links for this guy..  click on his image on left.

*Sigh* I must say I haven't gone through site after site for this guy (not like I did for RDA) but the three sites I have listed here *are* ones I frequent myself.   There's others out there, and if you have one and you want me to link to it.. send me that addy and I'll take a look at it.

Image captured by Olena for this site. 

   Filmography

Like with RDA's filmography, until I get the time to tizzy up the page, I'll be sending you to the Internet Movie Database for his info.  Simply click on the BACK button to get back here :) 

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So.. How many people have viewed this page??