MacGyver does... the possible: Ex-TV action man Richard Dean Anderson, 64, takes life at a slower pace on supermarket run

He was the crime-fighting hunk who favoured his trusty Swiss Army Knife over a gun – and his ability to prevail in life or death situations with the most primitive of defences won him legions of fans.

But while eighties staple MacGyver cracked his final case more than twenty years ago, the man responsible for bringing him to life was out and about in Malibu on Wednesday – but one could be forgiven for not looking twice.

Indeed, actor Richard Dean Anderson made his way across a parking lot with a shopping trolley filled to the brim with groceries after paying a visit to local store Ralph’s.

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He looks familiar: Richard Dean Anderson, best known for his crime-fighting role as MacGyver, makes his way across a Malibu parking lot with his shopping trolly on Wednesday

He looks familiar: Richard Dean Anderson, best known for his crime-fighting role as MacGyver, makes his way across a Malibu parking lot with his shopping trolly on Wednesday

The 64-year-old star has enjoyed a prolific TV career since the show went off air in 1992, thankfully taking with it the questionable mullet hairstyle favoured by the cerebral secret agent.

But spotlight aside Anderson appears to have mellowed with age, and his once chiselled frame has made way for a relaxed, comfortable paunch.

The actor, now known for his recurring role in the Stargate film and TV franchises, appeared to be in a cheerful mood as he loaded groceries into the boot of his car. 

Don't mind me: The 64-year-old actor loads groceries into the boot of his car after paying a visit to local store Ralph's

Don't mind me: The 64-year-old actor loads groceries into the boot of his car after paying a visit to local store Ralph's

Cheerful: Richard Dean Stanton gives waiting photographers a good-natured fist-pump on Wednesday
Cheerful: Richard Dean Stanton gives waiting photographers a good-natured fist-pump on Wednesday

The passage of time: Richard Dean Anderson on Wednesday (L) and in his heyday as crime-fighting hunk MacGyver (L), the secret agent who favoured a Swiss army knife over a gun 

Questionable: MacGyver sported a dodgy looking mullet for much of the show's seven year duration

Questionable: MacGyver sported a dodgy looking mullet for much of the show's seven year duration

Sporting a blue T-shirt, shorts and trainers, the easy-going star even gave waiting photographers a good-natured fist pump. 

On his famed action adventure series which ran from 1985 – 1992, MacGyver was known to concoct clever solutions to solve the impossible.

In the blink of an eye he often came up with intricate contraptions with the help of his scientific knowledge.

Cheerful: Richard Dean Stanton gives waiting photographers a good-natured fist-pump on Wednesday

Cheerful: Richard Dean Stanton gives waiting photographers a good-natured fist-pump on Wednesday


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 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. 

Old times: Back in the day Richard Dean Anderson was the crime-fighting hunk who favoured a Swiss army knife over a gun

Old times: Back in the day Richard Dean Anderson was the crime-fighting hunk who favoured a Swiss army knife over a gun

Key role: The actor is also known for his recurring role as Jack O'Neill in Stargate SG-1

Key role: The actor is also known for his recurring role as Jack O'Neill in Stargate SG-1

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