Daniel Jackson (Stargate)

Daniel Jackson, PhD, is a fictional character in the military science fiction franchise Stargate. He is portrayed by James Spader in the 1994 film of the same name and by Michael Shanks in the 1997 TV series Stargate SG-1 and other derived media. Jackson is the only Stargate character to appear in all films and series in the franchise.

In the 1994 film, Dr. Jackson is an archaeologist who is a part of the first team to go through the Stargate on a reconnaissance mission, led by Colonel Jack O'Neil. He becomes one of the main characters of the subsequent television series Stargate SG-1 where he, Jack O'Neill, Samantha Carter and Teal'c make a team that is part of Stargate Program, whose goal is to explore the galaxy and defend against alien threats. Jackson is part of SG-1 until his death at the end of the season 5, when he is replaced by Jonas Quinn.

Upon his death, Dr. Jackson ascends to a higher plane of existence among the Ancients. He makes occasional appearances in season 6 before retaking human form and rejoining SG-1 in the seventh season. Jackson appears in the series until the finale at the end of the tenth season and appears in both direct-to-DVD films that act as sequels to the series.

Dr. Jackson also appears in three episodes of Stargate Atlantis and four episodes of Stargate Universe. For his portrayal of Jackson, Shanks was nominated for three Saturn Awards for Best Actor on Television and for five Leo Awards, winning two: Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Dramatic Series for Stargate SG-1 in 2004, and Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Feature Length Drama for Stargate: Continuum in 2009.