Editing Michael Shanks (section)

==Early life==
Shanks was born in [[Vancouver]], British Columbia, and grew up in [[Kamloops, British Columbia|Kamloops]]. After witnessing [[Richard Dean Anderson]] prepare for a scene of [[MacGyver (1985 TV series)|''MacGyver'']], Shanks "decided to pursue [acting] a little further", opting to attend the [[University of British Columbia]]'s fine arts program until 1994.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Strachan |first=Alex |date=1997-07-28 |title=Vancouver lands Stargate |pages=20 |work=The Vancouver Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121813691/vancouver-lands-stargate/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He later appeared in several stage productions while serving a two-year apprenticeship with the prestigious [[Stratford Festival of Canada|Stratford Festival]] in [[Ontario]].''<ref name=":0" />'' His television career began with guest appearances on shows including ''[[Highlander: The Series|Highlander]]'' and ''[[The Commish]]''.''<ref name=":0" />'' Parts in the television movies ''A Family Divided''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mcalister |first=Nancy |date=2002-05-19 |title=Mary Higgins Clark's "All Around The Town" Airs Sunday on PAX |pages=61 |work=Corvallis Gazette-Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/121814564/mary-higgins-clarks-all-around-the/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and ''[[The Call of the Wild: Dog of the Yukon|The Call of the Wild]]'' preceded his casting in his breakthrough role as Daniel Jackson in ''Stargate SG-1''.<ref name=":0" />