Issue date: Nov 28, 1999
Richard Dean Anderson, best known as the TV action hero MacGyver, lived the life of a Hollywood lothario while his popular long-running adventure series was on the air a decade ago. Among the women he squired around town were beautiful actresses Justine Bateman, Lara Flynn Boyle, Marlee Matlin, Teri Hatcher and Sela Ward.
No more. Life is quieter as he nudges close to 50. Anderson is a homebody wannabe. Between takes on the set of his current Showtime series, "Stargate SG-1," Anderson slipped in time for a quick phone chat with Who's News' Maggie Gallant.
MG: Do you ever miss the glory days of "MacGyver"?
RDA: I can only recall it all ... I had a lot of fun. I was younger and full of energy. I was popping around as a misbehavin' fool.
The difference now is that I have, hopefully, matured and I'm more aware of the responsibilities I have acquired over the last few years. Not the least of which and the most important is my little baby.
MG: How do you manage being a daddy and having a television career?
RDA: It's frustrating. My lady, Apryl, is a genius mother. She really gets it. The team of Apryl and myself really makes things work nicely. For me, it is downright frustrating to have to go to work. I go entire days without getting to hold [the baby] and interact with her.
MG: Where did you and Apryl meet?
RDA: In New York. We were both third wheels, and we all met for breakfast, or lunch, or something one day. It can be romantic in New York, and sometimes it can be a little difficult when you're shooting in the winter, and I just had knee surgery. I was all broken up. I was limping and gimping around, and she either took pity on me or thought there was something sexy about my having a big brace on my knee. I was starting to show my age even at that point, so go figure!
MG: Was there an instant attraction?
RDA: In retrospect, and we've both talked about this, we both recognized a mutual sense of humor. There was also a similiar take on the absurdity of things in general. I think she appreciated my relative cynicism and certainly loved my sarcasm. That was three years ago or so.
MG: Is marriage in the near future?
RDA: Quite possibly. From the outside, people are gonna make their judgments as they will. My mother especially. I have nothing against the institution, and I'm sure it is something that we will consider down the road. But right now we've got a family, and it is working just fine.
MG: What do you see for the future?
RDA: Once "Stargate" is over and done, I just want to be a dad for a couple of years. I want to really see the relationship as well as I can. As I turn 50 in January, she is my new adventure, and it couldn't have happened at a better time.
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