Michael Shanks

Michael Garrett Shanks (born December 15, 1970) is a Canadian actor, writer and director. He is best known for his role as Daniel Jackson in the long-running military science fiction television series Stargate SG-1 and as Charles Harris in the Canadian medical drama Saving Hope. He is also known for his work on low budget, genre work filmed in Canada.
Shanks was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and grew up in Kamloops. He attended the University of British Columbia and was in the BFA Acting Program from 1990 to 1994. He later appeared in several stage productions while serving a two-year apprenticeship with the prestigious Stratford Festival in Ontario. His television career began with guest appearances on shows including Highlander and University Hospital. Parts in the television movies A Family Divided and The Call of the Wild preceded his casting in his breakthrough role as Danie…