“Stargate SG-1” aired from 1997 to 2007, spanning 10 seasons and eventually branching into two TV movies. Throughout its run, there were several shifts in the cast, notably the exit of one of its key figures, Richard Dean Anderson. Anderson’s choice to leave was understandable; he wanted to dedicate more time to his family. The show was filmed in Vancouver, Canada, which kept him away from his young child shortly after the show’s debut in 1997. Thus, after eight years, Anderson opted to resign and transition to a more sedentary role.

When Anderson joined the “Stargate” team, he had no children. However, by the time Season 2 rolled around, he had become a delighted father to his daughter, Wylie Quinn Annarose Anderson. Eager to be more available for Wylie, who has since pursued acting and directing, he continued his involvement with “SG-1” and “Stargate: Atlantis” into the early 2000s. Eventually, Anderson made the decision to step back, leading to his character, Colonel Jack O’Neill, being promoted to Brigadier General in Season 9. This change permitted him to appear as a guest star, significantly reducing the need to travel frequently between Los Angeles and Vancouver.

Various factors contributed to actors leaving the “Stargate” universe, but Anderson’s decision had been a gradual process. Another factor influencing his choice was his own age and health. While not facing severe health issues, Anderson had already undergone surgeries on his back and foot, as well as dealing with a troublesome knee by the time he accepted the role on “SG-1.”

Richard Dean Anderson is the kind of actor people always know from one project. For some, it’s “MacGyver,” but for “Stargate: SG-1” fans, it’s his stint as Colonel Jack O’Neill. Anderson wasn’t initially interested in the part, but joined the cast of “Stargate” when he was given an offer he couldn’t refuse. The show’s executive producer, Michael Greenburg, told him he could do whatever he wanted with the character while also giving him a 44-episode commitment, convincing Anderson to sign up for the series. 

In many ways, while there were essentially four main characters in “Stargate: SG-1,” Jack O’Neill was the heart and soul of the show. He was the leader of SG-1 and was front and center on everything that happened throughout the series’ first eight seasons. Even though Kurt Russell originated the character in the 1994 movie that spawned the franchise, “Stargate” fans came to embrace Anderson in the role. Anderson provided a more humorous take on O’Neill than Kurt Russell did in the film, one of the reasons fans continued to watch his adventures for years.