Trivia

Was inspired to pursue an acting career while watching future Stargate SG-1 (1997) co-star Richard Dean Anderson film an episode of MacGyver (1985).

Grew up as a huge Star Wars and Star Trek fan. Michael was also a fan of the cult television series, Xena: Warrior Princess.

Played three different characters in a single episode of Stargate SG-1 (1997): Dr. Daniel Jackson, Thor and Penegal in the second half of the Season Eight premiere 'New Order Part II'.

His best friend is Stargate SG-1 (1997) co-star Christopher Judge.

Coincidentally enough, there is another Michael Shanks (no relation) who is a real life archaeologist, while Michael Shanks the actor portrays an archaeologist on the television show Stargate SG-1.

Had an emergency appendectomy when his appendix ruptured the day before filming was to begin on Stargate SG-1 Season 3 episode "Nemesis". The script had to be rewritten to explain his character's reduced role. The writers decided to have the character recovering from an appendectomy as well.

Met his wife, Lexa Doig when he guest starred in the Andromeda (2000) Season One episode "Star-Crossed".

Vaitiare Hirshon, the mother of his child, played his character's wife on Stargate SG-1 (1997). The child is Tatiana Shanks (born late 1998).

He has worked with Erica Durance in three different series: Stargate SG-1 (1997), Smallville (2001) and Saving Hope : Au-delà de la médecine (2012).

Has appeared in four different productions with the late Don S. Davis: A Family Divided (1995), Stargate SG-1 (1997), The Artist's Circle (2000) and Suspicious River (2000).

He has played the same character, Dr. Daniel Jackson, in three different television series: Stargate SG-1 (1997), Stargate: Atlantis (2004) and Stargate: Universe (2009).

His character, Dr. Daniel Jackson (and various versions of him), was killed in four different episodes during the eighth season of Stargate SG-1 (1997) alone: "Avatar", "Reckoning Part 2" and "Moebius Part 2", He was also shot several times, severely injured and tortured during the season.

His character, Remiel, killed Hector, played by Christopher Judge, in the Andromeda (2000) episode "Day of Judgement, Day of Wrath". In the Stargate SG-1 (1997) episode "Moebius Part 2", his character, Dr. Daniel Jackson, was killed by Judge's character, Teal'c.

Auditioned for the part of Praetor Shinzon in Star Trek: Nemesis (2002).

His Stargate SG-1 (1997) character Daniel Jackson is close to six years older than he actually is.

Played hockey (defense) and rugby (flyhalf then wing) in high school.

He was born in Vancouver and grew up in Kamloops, BC, Canada.

He has worked with Christopher Heyerdahl in three different series: Stargate SG-1 (1997), Stargate: Atlantis (2004) and Sanctuary (2008).

Appeared with Torri Higginson in Stargate SG-1 (1997) and Stargate: Atlantis (2004) who co-starred with his wife Lexa Doig in TekWar (1994), TekWar (1994), TekWar: TekLords (1994) and Jungleground (1994).

Wife Lexa Doig gave birth to their second child together, a son named Samuel David on March 19, 2007. Michael announced it at a Vancouver Convention on March 24th.

Bears a resemblance to his Stargate : La Porte des étoiles (1994) feature film counterpart James Spader, whose character, Dr. Daniel Jackson, he portrays on Stargate SG-1 (1997).

He has worked with Brent Stait in three different series: Stargate SG-1 (1997), Andromeda (2000) and Smallville (2001).

Eldest child is a daughter, Tatiana Shanks (born late 1998) with Vaitiare Hirshon.

Daughter, Mia Tabitha Shanks, with Lexa Doig, born 13 September 2004.

Lived with Vaitiare Hirshon

Favorite hockey team is the Vancouver Canucks.