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When Paramount's TV division set out to find an action hero who was both family-friendly and appealing to advertisers, writer Lee David Zlotoff had the perfect idea: MacGyver, a series centered around a resourceful lone hero who uses everyday items (like paper clips, gum, and chocolate) to escape everything from locked rooms to dangerous international situations.
Running for seven seasons, this iconic show made Richard Dean Anderson a household name, turning him into America’s beloved science whiz. Let’s dive into the show’s history, its behind-the-scenes magic, and the curious decision not to pair MacGyver with a love interest.
1. THERE’S A "REAL" MACGYVER. (SORT OF.)
When Lee David Zlotoff conceived his hero as someone armed with little more than a Swiss Army knife and sharp intellect, he discovered a gemologist from Caltech, John Koivula, who seemed to possess knowledge across a wide range of disciplines, from physics to chemistry. When ABC greenlit MacGyver, Koivula became the show’s scientific advisor. The writers would present a tricky situation, and Koivula would devise a “MacGyverism,” or practical solution. Any steps that could potentially be hazardous were omitted to ensure fans wouldn’t accidentally blow themselves up trying to replicate the stunts.
2. HIS FIRST NAME WAS ONCE STACEY.
In the seventh (and final) season of MacGyver, fans learned the character’s first name: Angus. (In a move that wasn't very Dickensian, Richard Dean Anderson suggested it after seeing the name on a banner in Vancouver.) Before the show aired, Paramount’s publicity department circulated a flyer listing Anderson as playing “Stacey MacGyver.” The name originated from an early draft of the pilot script.
3. HIS LAST NAME WAS INSPIRED BY MCDONALD'S.
Zlotoff originally wanted the character’s name to be simply “Guy,” but his friends felt it wasn’t strong enough. As McDonald’s popularity soared, a trend emerged where people would jokingly add “Mc” or “Mac” to other names. Zlotoff recalled, “So I suggested we call him MacGuy,” but the consensus was that the name needed three syllables. After some back-and-forth, they settled on MacGyver—and everyone agreed it was the perfect fit.
4. THE PILOT WAS SO TERRIBLE THAT THE DIRECTOR HAD HIS NAME REMOVED.
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John Rich, the executive producer, revealed to the Archive of American Television that the original pilot for MacGyver ran a full 90 minutes—and it was disastrous. “It was dreary,” Rich recalled. “It was no good… an hour and a half of pure misery.” Over an Easter weekend, Rich re-edited the episode, cutting it down by 30 minutes. In response to what he saw as unwanted interference, director Jerrold Freedman requested that his name be removed from the credits, and the pseudonym “Alan Smithee” appeared instead.
5. AUDIENCES BELIEVED THE SHOW HAD KILLED A RHINO.
In one episode where MacGyver faces off against poachers, the special effects team spent $40,000 creating a lifelike fake rhinoceros for a crucial scene in which the animal is destroyed. The expensive effects made the scene quite dramatic, but it led to angry viewers who called in, accusing the producers of harming an innocent animal. (In truth, the only casualty on set was Richard Dean Anderson, who injured his back after stepping into a ditch during the first season. The injury required surgery two years later.)
6. POOR MAC COULDN'T HAVE A GIRLFRIEND.
While the series became well-known for its brilliant use of science, it also helped that Anderson had previously appeared on soap operas, making him a favorite among swooning fans. As a result, the idea of MacGyver getting romantically involved with a woman was usually met with resistance. When a love interest appeared in the third season for several episodes, fans expressed their frustration, fearing the show was becoming too much like Moonlighting.
7. THE SHOW PAID FANS TO COME UP WITH "MACGYVERISMS."
MacGyver’s ability to escape tricky situations using whatever was at hand was one of the show’s most creative elements—and it became more challenging as the series went on. To keep things fresh, executive producer John Rich offered cash prizes to fans who submitted ideas for new “MacGyverisms.” Though they read all the entries, only a few were usable. One winning submission involved MacGyver using an egg to fix a leaking radiator—by cracking it into the system, where the heat would harden the egg and seal the hole.
8. MAC DID USE A GUN—TWICE.
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One of MacGyver’s most defining characteristics was his strong aversion to guns: unable to rely on firearms, he had to get creative with his problem-solving. However, in the pilot episode, Anderson—who also disliked guns—was shown using an automatic weapon. Later in the series, MacGyver used a gun, smashed the barrel, and turned the remaining part into a makeshift wrench.
9. NOT EVERYONE AGREED WITH HIS ANTI-GUN STANCE.
In 1988, an episode aired that revealed the origins of MacGyver’s hatred for guns—stemming from the tragic death of a childhood friend. The episode sparked outrage from the National Rifle Association, which went on the offensive. Co-executive producer Steve Downing shared with the Los Angeles Times, “Since then, we’ve been on their hit list. They’ve been urging people to boycott us and our sponsors. We try to present why guns are dangerous, but they choose to boycott and put us on that list.”
10. MACGYVER’S FLOATING HOME LATER APPEARED ON CRAIGSLIST.
For much of the series, MacGyver called a unique floating home in a Vancouver boatyard his base. When Paramount was finished with it, the house was sold, refurbished, and put back on the market in 2012. Since then, it’s reportedly faced damage from its constant exposure to water. In late 2014, it was listed on Craigslist for under $40,000—significantly less than its original $200,000 price tag.
11. YOUNG MACGYVER NEVER MADE IT TO THE SCREEN.
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Though ‘cool’ and ‘hip’ aren’t exactly words you'd associate with the MacGyver legacy, the WB tried to inject some of that vibe in 2003 when they greenlit a pilot featuring Jared Padalecki (Supernatural) as MacGyver’s resourceful nephew, Clay. However, the show received a lukewarm reception from the network, and the series was never picked up.
Now, CBS is taking another shot with its own MacGyver reboot, which premieres tonight.
12. FURIOUS 7'S DIRECTOR WAS ONCE CONSIDERING A MACGYVER MOVIE.
James Wan, who directed the latest Fast and Furious blockbuster, made a savvy career move—his film grossed over $1 billion globally. But before he fully committed, Wan was seriously considering adapting MacGyver for the big screen. In an interview with CraveOnline, he explained, “My initial idea was to feature a young college-age MacGyver who goes to a prestigious Boston university. He’s really brilliant, but then he gets framed for a massive invention that’s been weaponized, and now everyone’s after him.”
13. RICHARD DEAN ANDERSON MESSED UP HIS OWN MACGYVER MOMENT.
Once, Anderson found himself locked out of his house after attending a cast and crew holiday party during the first season. He wasn't enjoying himself much, so he and a friend left to join a gathering for Cheers instead. When he returned home, however, he couldn’t get back inside. Recalling the situation to a TV Guide reporter, Anderson joked that his ‘MacGyver moment’ was simply to pick up a nearby bench and throw it through the front window. Later, a friend sent him a replacement bench—one with the Swiss Army knife logo on it.
