- Was inspired to pursue an acting career while watching future Stargate SG-1 (1997) co-star Richard Dean Anderson film an episode of MacGyver (1985).
- Vaitiare Hirshon, the mother of his child, played his character's wife on Stargate SG-1 (1997). The child is Tatiana Shanks (born late 1998).
- Grew up as a huge Star Wars and Star Trek fan. Michael was also a fan of the cult television series, Xena: Warrior Princess.
- Played three different characters in a single episode of Stargate SG-1 (1997): Dr. Daniel Jackson, Thor and Penegal in the second half of the Season Eight premiere 'New Order Part II'.
- His best friend is Stargate SG-1 (1997) co-star Christopher Judge.
- Coincidentally enough, there is another Michael Shanks (no relation) who is a real life archaeologist, while Michael Shanks the actor portrays an archaeologist on the television show Stargate SG-1.
- Met his wife, Lexa Doig when he guest starred in the Andromeda (2000) Season One episode "Star-Crossed".
- Had an emergency appendectomy when his appendix ruptured the day before filming was to begin on Stargate SG-1 Season 3 episode "Nemesis". The script had to be rewritten to explain his character's reduced role. The writers decided to have the character recovering from an appendectomy as well.
- He has worked with Erica Durance in three different series: Stargate SG-1 (1997), Smallville (2001) and Saving Hope (2012).
- Has appeared in four different productions with the late Don S. Davis: A Family Divided (1995), Stargate SG-1 (1997), The Artist's Circle (2000) and Suspicious River (2000).
- He has played the same character, Dr. Daniel Jackson, in three different television series: Stargate SG-1 (1997), Stargate: Atlantis (2004) and Stargate Universe (2009).
- His character, Remiel, killed Hector, played by Christopher Judge, in the Andromeda (2000) episode "Day of Judgement, Day of Wrath". In the Stargate SG-1 (1997) episode "Moebius Part 2", his character, Dr. Daniel Jackson, was killed by Judge's character, Teal'c.
- His character, Dr. Daniel Jackson (and various versions of him), was killed in four different episodes during the eighth season of Stargate SG-1 (1997) alone: "Avatar", "Reckoning Part 2" and "Moebius Part 2", He was also shot several times, severely injured and tortured during the season.
- Auditioned for the part of Praetor Shinzon in Star Trek: Nemesis (2002).
- He was born in Vancouver and grew up in Kamloops, BC, Canada.
- His Stargate SG-1 (1997) character Daniel Jackson is close to six years older than he actually is.
- Played hockey (defense) and rugby (flyhalf then wing) in high school.
- Appeared with Torri Higginson in Stargate SG-1 (1997) and Stargate: Atlantis (2004) who co-starred with his wife Lexa Doig in TekWar (1994), TekWar (1994), TekWar: TekLords (1994) and Jungleground (1995).
- He has worked with Christopher Heyerdahl in three different series: Stargate SG-1 (1997), Stargate: Atlantis (2004) and Sanctuary (2008).
- Daughter, Mia Tabitha Shanks, with Lexa Doig, born 13 September 2004.
- Wife Lexa Doig gave birth to their second child together, a son named Samuel David on March 19, 2007. Michael announced it at a Vancouver Convention on March 24th.
- Eldest child is a daughter, Tatiana Shanks (born late 1998) with Vaitiare Hirshon.
- Bears a resemblance to his Stargate (1994) feature film counterpart James Spader, whose character, Dr. Daniel Jackson, he portrays on Stargate SG-1 (1997).
- He has worked with Brent Stait in three different series: Stargate SG-1 (1997), Andromeda (2000) and Smallville (2001).
- Lived with Vaitiare Hirshon
- Favorite hockey team is the Vancouver Canucks.
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