EXCLUSIVE: Richard Dean Anderson - TV's original crime-fighting hunk MacGyver - is spotted in LA for the first time years, days after his 72nd birthday

  • Richard Dean Anderson was spotted out and about in his Malibu neighborhood for the first time in over five years 
  • The actor, better known as TV's crime-fighting hunk, MacGyver, in the 80s, has not been snapped in Los Angeles since September 2016 
  • The retired TV star was seen alone while running errands on Monday, just a few days after his 72nd birthday 
  • He wore a pink checkered flannel shirt, green slacks, and black sneakers, and carried a canvas tote 

By Karen Ruiz For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Richard Dean Anderson, TV's original MacGyver, was almost unrecognizable as he was seen out and about in his Malibu neighborhood for the first time in five and a half years. 

The 1980's heartthrob, who found fame as the  ingenious crime-fighting hunk who opted for his Swiss Army Knife and duct tape over guns, has popped up at various overseas events in recent years but has not been snapped in Los Angeles since September 2016.  

The actor was spotted running errands solo in his adopted hometown on Monday, eight days after his 72nd birthday. 

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Richard Dean Anderson was spotted out and about in his Malibu neighborhood for the first time in over five years

Richard Dean Anderson was spotted out and about in his Malibu neighborhood for the first time in over five years

The former TV heartthrob, better known for his role as MacGyver, was spotted running errands solo in his adopted hometown on Monday, eight days after his 72nd birthday
Richard Dean Anderson runs errands in Malibu on Monday

The former TV heartthrob, better known for his role as MacGyver, was spotted running errands solo in his adopted hometown on Monday, eight days after his 72nd birthday

Anderson had not been snapped in Los Angeles since September 2016 and was almost unrecognizable during the outing

Anderson had not been snapped in Los Angeles since September 2016 and was almost unrecognizable during the outing 

Anderson as TV's MacGyver in the 1980s
He was last snapped in Malibu five and half years ago (right) during a trip to the grocery store

Anderson rose to fame in the 80s as the original MacGyver (left) the crime-fighting hunk who favored his trusty Swiss Army Knife over a gun. He was last snapped in Malibu five and half years ago (right) looking chunkier during a trip to the grocery store 

He wore a pink checkered flannel shirt, green slacks, and black sneakers, and carried a canvas tote. He was also seen cutting a slimmer figure as well as longer locks from when he was last snapped.  

Anderson is currently believed to be single, following his divorce from actress Apryl A. Prose, the mother of his only child, Wylie Anderson, 23, in 2003 after seven years of marriage. 

The TV star, who has retreated from acting roles in the last decade, had spent much of his career traveling among his home state of Minnesota, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. 

He is now settled in Malibu, where he helped design and build his Midwest-style home, which was once featured in Architectural Digest.    

Anderson's big break came in the mid 80s while playing the leading role on the ABC adventure show MacGyver. 

He wore a pink checkered flannel shirt, green slacks, and black sneakers, and carried a canvas tote

He wore a pink checkered flannel shirt, green slacks, and black sneakers, and carried a canvas tote

Anderson was also seen cutting a slimmer figure as well as longer locks from when he was last snapped
Richard Dean Anderson

Anderson was also seen cutting a slimmer figure as well as longer locks from when he was last snapped

Secret agent Angus MacGyver - for whom the term 'MacGyverism' has been coined - was known for 'jerry-rigging' objects by quickly recreating them in an innovative way in order to solve a problem or accomplish a task. 

Some of his skills included diffusing a bomb with a paper clip and building a weapon using the springs of a mattress.

In fact when it came to defending himself, MacGyver famously refused to use a gun, always relying on his quick thinking and savvy tools.

Anderson reprised his role as the sleuth in 2012 for a three episode run called MacGyver and The New Citan.  

After MacGyver ended in 1992, Anderson jumped into the world of sci-fi, playing the role of Lieutenant General Jack O'Neill (pictured) on the Stargate TV series

After MacGyver ended in 1992, Anderson jumped into the world of sci-fi, playing the role of Lieutenant General Jack O'Neill (pictured) on the Stargate TV series

Anderson is currently believed to be single, following his divorce from actress Apryl A. Prose, the mother of his only child, in 2003 after seven years of marriage. They are pictured together in 1999

Anderson is currently believed to be single, following his divorce from actress Apryl A. Prose, the mother of his only child, in 2003 after seven years of marriage. They are pictured together in 1999

A reboot of the iconic show starring Lucas Till as the titular role premiered in 2016. 

After MacGyver ended in 1992, Anderson jumped into the world of sci-fi, playing the role of Lieutenant General Jack O'Neill on the Stargate TV series.

Taking a shot at things behind the camera, he served as executive producer of Stargate as well as two MacGyver movies - maintaining his leading roles.

Many years on Stargate earned him a new fan base among the intergalactic fan community.   

Los Angeles

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