Richard Dean Anderson Was 'Almost Jealous' He Couldn't Give Birth — Reality of Becoming a Dad Later 'Hit' Him

Actor Richard Dean Anderson lived a life filled with adventures that left him with a few broken limbs. But after all that he has done in his life, Anderson wished he could have a baby alone. Little did the actor know that the reality of parenthood would be an emotional rollercoaster.

Richard Dean Anderson is an actor who is not afraid to live on the edge. He is famous for acting and the stunts he pulled in the T.V. series MaGyva.

But his love for challenging gravity stems from his childhood. Anderson was always fascinated by daredevil stunts. He would hang his body from the roof, and it only took a few broken limbs to show him he could not defy gravity.

When Anderson was in high school, he had a passion for hockey and intentions of pursuing it professionally. But in his junior year of high school, the actor's NHL dream could not become a reality because he had broken both his arms.

However, the adventure never stopped for Anderson; just before finishing high school, 17-year-old Anderson went on a 6,000-mile bicycle trip through Canada and Alaska.

The actor went to St. Cloud State University but dropped out in 1970. Anderson moved to Sanfransico, eventually to Los Angeles, where he bagged his first gig in show business.

His job was to hold a mackerel fish with his teeth for whales as they sprung out of the water. Anderson began his acting career as Dr. Jeff Webber on General Hospital in 1985.

Eventually, after a few failed shows, Anderson got his breakthrough role on MacGyver, which ran for seven years.

His personal life was not as steady as his career. Anderson dated many famous women in the industry, such as Sela Ward, Lara Flynn Boyle, Marlee Matlin, and figure skater Katerina Witt.

The actor has also admitted that he struggled to find a partner that understood his career but, most importantly, his adventurous nature. Anderson said:

“I live a very selfish existence and go through phases where I disappear into the woods of northern Minnesota; it’s been hard to find a mate who goes along with those things.”

Anderson also admitted that fame had taken a lot of time from his family. He is the eldest of four sons; his mother was an artist, and his father was a jazz bass player.

The actor struggled with settling down a lot, and he did not have a permanent address for most of his life until he eventually rented out a three-bedroom apartment in Hollywood.

RICHARD DEAN ANDERSON CRIED AT THE REALITY OF BECOMING A DAD

After dating many women in the public eye, Anderson found a romantic partner Apryl Prose who was not in the entertainment industry.

Prose worked as a wardrobe and prop stylist for print and T.V. ads in L.A. The former stylist said she had heard of Anderson, but he seemed like "one of those actors in their 40s who still can't commit."

She emphasized that Anderson was the type of person she would have never dated, but that changed when their mutual friend Michael Greenburg arranged for Anderson and Prose to have lunch together in New York.

The stylist said they started flirting immediately. Prose described Anderson as sweet and generous, and she left the date so happy she told her mother she had met the man she would spend her life with.

Although Prose admitted that she had doubts and thought Anderson would not settle for one woman, she was willing to take the risk, and the couple started dating in 1996.

Prose and Anderson's relationship remained strong with long distance. In November 1997, life changed when Prose told the "MacGyver" star that she was three weeks pregnant.

The former stylist thought the news would freak out Anderson, but to her surprise, he was excited. He said, "Be calm. This is going to be great."

Anderson loved spending time with his daughter so much that he said he would make"a pretty good mother."

Anderson had been open about wanting children. The actor specifically wanted two children, and out of all the things he has done in his life, he wished he could conceive a baby on his own.

When he found out he was going to be a father, Anderson had a reaction he did not expect; the actor confessed he cried, thinking about the reality of becoming a parent.

The couple discussed having more children, but the conversation about marriage remained on hold. Anderson and Prose were not ready for it and did not want to rush into things.

RICHARD DEAN ANDERSON BELIEVES HE IS A GOOD MOTHER

Anderson and Prose welcomed their daughter Wylie Quinn Annarose on August 2, 1998, and the actor enjoyed the fatherhood ride. Anderson loved spending time with his daughter so much that he said he would make"a pretty good mother."

The Stargate star said he loved just looking at his daughter all day, and every time he got home, he was immediately on diaper changing and giving Wylie her bottle.

As his daughter got older, it was no surprise that Anderson loved to play and be active with her. He recalled a time he was at the beach with Wylie and saw his daughter look at him as if she finally remembered who he was. Anderson imagined she was excited to play with him.

At that moment, Anderson knew he was ready to let go of his solo living. He would now take on his hiking and more adventures with "a little hand in his hand."