Michael Shanks Biography: Movies, Awards, Wife, Children, Siblings, Parents, Age, Net Worth, Height, TV Series

Michael Garrett Shanks, known professionally as Michael Shanks, is a Canadian actor celebrated for his role as Dr. Daniel Jackson in the long-running military science fiction series Stargate SG-1, which earned him a global fanbase and multiple Leo Awards.

With a career spanning over three decades, Shanks has also starred as Dr. Charlie Harris in the medical drama Saving Hope and appeared in films like Arctic Blast and Elysium.

His work in both television and low-budget genre projects filmed in Canada has established him as a versatile and enduring talent in the entertainment industry.

Profile

• Full Name: Michael Garrett Shanks
• Stage Name: Michael Shanks
• Born: 15 December, 1970
• Age: 54 years old
• Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Nationality: Canadian
• Occupation: Actor, Producer, Director, Writer
• Height: 1.83m
• Parents: Mr. Shanks, and Mrs. Shanks
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Lexa Doig (m. 2003)
• Girlfriends: Vaitiare Bandera (ex)
• Children: Tatiana Shanks, Mia Tabitha Shanks, Samuel David Shanks
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Michael Garrett Shanks was born on December 15, 1970, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to parents referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Shanks, with limited public information available about their identities.

Details about his siblings, if any, are not publicly disclosed. Raised in Kamloops, British Columbia, Shanks was inspired to pursue acting after witnessing Richard Dean Anderson film MacGyver.

He attended the University of British Columbia, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre in 1994, and later completed a two-year apprenticeship at the prestigious Stratford Festival in Ontario. He is of Canadian ethnicity, and though his religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Michael Shanks began his acting career with stage performances, including roles at the Stratford Festival in productions like The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth.

His early television work included guest appearances on shows like Highlander and The Commish, as well as roles in television films such as A Family Divided (1995).

His breakthrough came in 1997 when he was cast as Dr. Daniel Jackson in Stargate SG-1, a role he secured with an audition that channeled James Spader’s performance from the original Stargate film. Shanks’ portrayal of the brilliant archaeologist became a cornerstone of the series, earning him widespread recognition.

Shanks played Daniel Jackson for seven seasons of Stargate SG-1 before leaving at the end of season five due to creative differences, only to return for season seven after a fan-led campaign.

During his hiatus, he appeared in films like Suddenly Naked (2001) and guest-starred in Andromeda, where he met his future wife, Lexa Doig. He also voiced the Asgard character Thor in Stargate SG-1 and appeared in spin-offs Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe.

His versatility shone in roles like Hawkman in Smallville (2010) and Dr. Charlie Harris in Saving Hope (2012–2017), where he also directed episodes and served as a co-producer, earning a 2013 Leo Award for Best Lead Performance in a Dramatic Series.

Shanks remains active in both television and film, with recent roles including Horace Axley in Altered Carbon (2020), Rick Singer in The College Admissions Scandal (2019), and Gil Field in the 2024 film Time Cut.

He has also taken on producing and acting in the short film Never Forget, directed by his daughter Tatiana Shanks. His contributions to science fiction and medical dramas, combined with his work in directing and writing for Stargate SG-1, highlight his multifaceted career.

Shanks’ enduring appeal lies in his ability to bring depth to complex characters, maintaining a strong presence in genre television and Canadian cinema.  

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: Unknown
• Facebook Handle: Unknown
• Twitter Handle: @MichaelShanks

Personal Life

Michael Shanks married actress Lexa Doig on August 2, 2003, after meeting her on the set of Andromeda in 2001. They have two children, Mia Tabitha Shanks, born in 2004, and Samuel David Shanks, born in 2006.

Shanks also has a daughter, Tatiana Shanks, born in 1998, from his previous relationship with actress Vaitiare Bandera, who played Sha’re in Stargate SG-1. He maintains a private life, focusing on family and his passion for the arts.  

Filmography

• A Family Divided (1995)
• Stargate SG-1 (1997–2007)
• Suddenly Naked (2001)
• Sumuru (2003)
• Stargate: The Ark of Truth (2008)
• Stargate: Continuum (2008)
• The Lost Treasure of the Grand Canyon (2008)
• Arctic Blast (2010)
• Faces in the Crowd (2011)
• Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story (2013)
• Elysium (2013)
• Saving Hope (2012–2017)
• The College Admissions Scandal (2019)
• Time Cut (2024)

Net Worth

Michael Shanks has an estimated net worth of $2 million. His wealth primarily stems from his extensive acting career, with significant earnings from his long-running role in Stargate SG-1 and its spin-offs, as well as Saving Hope.

His work as a director, writer, and co-producer on these series, combined with roles in films like Elysium and television movies, contributes to his financial success.