You know that face. Even if the name doesn't immediately click, you’ve seen him. Steve Bacic is one of those "I know that guy!" actors who has quietly built a resume so massive it’s actually a little exhausting to read through.
Most people know him from the cult-classic space opera Andromeda, where he played the gritty, genetically engineered Nietzschean warrior Telemachus Rhade. But honestly, boiling his career down to just one sci-fi show is a huge mistake. From major blockbusters like X2 to becoming a staple of the Hallmark mystery circuit, Bacic has done it all.
The Breakout: From 21 Jump Street to the Stars
It’s kinda wild to think about how he started. Bacic wasn't some child actor with a stage parent. He was actually born in Croatia and raised in Windsor, Ontario. He originally wanted to be a physical therapist or a coach. He even has a kinesiology degree. But then a road trip to Vancouver happened, he saw the film sets everywhere, and basically decided to give it a shot.
His first big break was on 21 Jump Street. This wasn't just a tiny "Background Actor #3" role either. He landed a guest spot that, at the time, was the largest role ever given to a Canadian on the show.
Stealing the Scene in The X-Files and Stargate
Before he was a series regular anywhere, he was the king of the guest spot. If you’re a fan of 90s and early 2000s genre TV, you’ve definitely seen him. He appeared in The X-Files multiple times. One of his most memorable (and frankly, traumatizing) moments was playing a SWAT officer who douses himself in gasoline in the episode "Folie à Deux."
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Then there’s the Stargate universe. Bacic actually played two different characters in Stargate SG-1. Most fans remember him as the arrogant System Lord Camulus, but he also appeared earlier as Major Michael Patrick Coburn. It’s that kind of versatility—shifting from a heroic soldier to a power-hungry alien deity—that kept him working non-stop for over three decades.
The Andromeda Years: Becoming an Icon
When people talk about Steve Bacic movies and tv shows, Andromeda is usually the first thing they bring up. He started out playing Gaheris Rhade, the guy who betrayed Kevin Sorbo’s character in the pilot. He was so good that they eventually brought him back as a different character, Telemachus Rhade, who joined the main crew.
He played Rhade for 44 episodes. He brought this weirdly perfect mix of philosophical depth and "I will punch you through a wall" energy to the role. He actually got nominated for a couple of Leo Awards for his work on the show. Even now, in 2026, you’ll still see him at fan conventions because that character left such a mark on the sci-fi community.
Beyond the Spaceships: Hallmark and Netflix
If you aren't into sci-fi, you probably recognize him from your Saturday night movie marathons. Bacic is basically royalty in the Hallmark and Lifetime worlds.
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- Garage Sale Mysteries: He played Jason Shannon, the husband of Lori Loughlin’s character, in about fifteen of these movies. He’s great at playing the supportive, grounded husband who occasionally gets dragged into a murder investigation.
- Virgin River: More recently, he’s been making waves on Netflix. In Virgin River, he took on a dual role—which is a recurring theme in his career, apparently—playing the abusive Wes and then his identical twin brother, Vince. It was a massive departure from his usual "nice guy" or "honorable warrior" roles and showed some serious dramatic range.
- When Calls the Heart: He’s also recurred on this Hallmark staple, playing Charles Spurlock.
He’s the kind of actor who can transition from a gritty Netflix drama to a cozy mystery without missing a beat. It’s a rare skill.
Big Screen Moments You Probably Missed
While he’s a titan of TV, he’s popped up in some pretty massive movies too.
In X2: X-Men United, he had a cameo as Dr. Hank McCoy (Beast) before the character was fully "blue-ified" in later films. He also worked alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in The 6th Day and Killing Gunther. If you look closely at the 2017 hit Wonder, he’s in there too, playing Mr. Albans.
He’s even moved behind the camera lately. He wrote and directed a short film called Alter that’s been floating around on streaming platforms like Tubi. It’s cool to see a guy who has been in front of the lens for so long finally start calling the shots.
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What is he doing now?
As of early 2026, Steve Bacic isn't slowing down. He’s still a frequent face in the Vancouver acting scene, which has become a massive hub for production. He’s also been spending more time teaching, passing on what he’s learned from 130+ credits to the next generation of Canadian actors.
If you’re looking to dive into his filmography, start with the "New Order" episodes of Stargate SG-1 or the early seasons of Andromeda. If you want something more modern, his arc in Virgin River is genuinely some of his best work.
To keep up with his latest projects, the best bet is following his social media or checking the 2026 production schedules for Vancouver-based shows. He’s almost always filming something.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch for Dual Roles: Bacic is frequently cast as twins or multiple characters in the same universe (e.g., Virgin River, Andromeda, Stargate SG-1). It's a fun "Easter egg" for long-time viewers.
- Check the Credits: He often pops up in uncredited or small "blink and you'll miss it" cameos in major blockbusters filmed in BC.
- Support Indie Work: Look for his directorial debut Alter to see his personal creative vision outside of the studio system.
The sheer volume of work he has produced means there is always something "new" to discover in his past. Whether you like space battles or small-town romances, he's probably played a character you'll enjoy.