It’s 2026, and if you go looking for Richard Dean Anderson on a Hollywood red carpet, you’re going to be waiting a very long time. Probably forever. He’s 76 now, and honestly, he’s never been more content with being "gone." While the rest of the world keeps holding their breath for a Stargate reboot or a MacGyver cameo that actually makes sense, Rick—as his friends and fans call him—is busy living a life that most celebrities would find terrifyingly quiet.
He's at home. He's by the water. And he's definitely not looking for his agent's number.
The Reality of Richard Dean Anderson Today
The internet has this weird habit of assuming that if a famous person isn't on a screen, something must be "wrong." People speculate about health crises or some dramatic fall from grace. But with Richard Dean Anderson today, the truth is way more boring and way more heartening. He just... stopped. He chose to.
👉 See also: Heath Ledger Last Photo: What Really Happened in Those Final Days
Back in 2013, he basically walked away from the grind. It wasn’t a sudden blow-up. It was a slow realization that he’d spent decades carrying shows on his back—literally. If you ever wondered why he looked a bit stiff in those later Stargate SG-1 seasons, it wasn't just the character. It was years of doing his own stunts on MacGyver. He fell into holes, he compressed discs, and he basically turned his knees into gravel.
Today, he lives on the edges of Malibu in a house he basically built himself. It’s a huge property, very private, and perfect for a guy who once worked as a whale handler and a street mime before he was famous. He’s always been a bit of a nomad at heart.
Why the "Comeback" Never Happened
We’ve heard the rumors for years. "Richard Dean Anderson is returning for a Stargate limited series!" or "He’s filming a secret project!"
He isn't.
Actually, he still gets the scripts. His old pal Tom Selleck is out there still doing the network TV thing, and Rick could easily do the same if he wanted. But he doesn't. He’s said in personal notes to fans that nothing has really "piqued his interest" enough to leave his dogs and his garden.
Speaking of dogs, they’re a huge part of his life. After his beloved Australian Shepherd, Andy, passed away, he’s continued to be a massive advocate for animal rights. He’s not just "signing checks" for charity; he’s actually involved. Whether it’s the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society or the Waterkeeper Alliance, he puts his energy into the planet rather than a production schedule.
The Wylie Factor: Why He Really Quit
You can't talk about Richard Dean Anderson today without talking about his daughter, Wylie. She’s 27 now, and she’s a producer and director in her own right. When she was about 15, Rick made a conscious choice. He realized he had "grown up" because of her.
✨ Don't miss: Jessica Carter Altman Husband: The Truth About Her Marriage and Life in 2026
"Wylie became, and continues to be, my life," he once noted.
He didn't want to be the dad who was always in a trailer in Vancouver while his kid was growing up in California. So he traded the P90 for parent-teacher conferences. He traded the Swiss Army knife for driving her to rehearsals. It was a trade he’d make again in a heartbeat.
Does he still do conventions?
Sorta. But even that is slowing down. In 2025, he made a few appearances—London, Germany, Texas. Fans who saw him at FedCon XXXIII or Comic Con France noticed he’s still got that dry, self-deprecating wit. He’ll joke about being "slightly flammable" or his "feeble attempts" at using technology.
But he also gets tired. He’s been open about "butt-dialing" emojis to his webmaster and struggling with long flights. He’s 76. Traveling across the Atlantic to sit in a booth for ten hours isn't as easy as it used to be.
Health, Hockey, and the Malibu Life
Let's address the elephant in the room: his health.
Yes, he’s had some issues. He’s talked about heart stents and the chronic pain that comes from being an action star in the 80s. He’s not the 35-year-old guy who can jump off a bridge with a trash bag parachute anymore. But he’s active. He’s a massive hockey fan—still follows his Minnesota Wild and the California teams.
He’s safe, he’s healthy, and he’s living life on his own terms.
Recently, during the Los Angeles fires, fans were worried because he went dark. No power, no communication. When he finally got a message out, it was classic RDA humor: "still isolated. no power. i stink."
🔗 Read more: Is Donald Trump Having An Affair? What We Actually Know About the Rumors
He doesn't take himself seriously. He never did. That’s probably why he was able to walk away from the fame without his ego collapsing.
What Fans Can Actually Expect in 2026
If you’re looking for a "next step" in following Richard Dean Anderson’s journey, don't wait for a Netflix announcement. Instead, look toward the community he’s actually built.
- Official Updates: The only real way to hear from him is through his long-time webmaster, Kate Ritter, at RDAnderson.com. He sends "Notes from Rick" sporadically. They are usually weird, funny, and deeply personal.
- Convention Schedule: Keep an eye on European events like Ascension 2 (scheduled for August 2026). He still enjoys seeing the fans, even if the travel is a headache.
- Charity Work: If you want to honor his legacy, look into the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. It’s the work he actually cares about these days.
The "MacGyver" days are long gone, and the "Jack O'Neill" days are in the rearview mirror. But Richard Dean Anderson is doing exactly what he wants to be doing: being a dad, being an activist, and enjoying the California sunset without a camera crew in his face. Honestly? Good for him.