Joe Flanigan

Joe Flanigan (born January 5, 1967) is an American actor best known for his role as Major/Lt. Colonel John Sheppard in the TV series Stargate Atlantis. Flanigan was born Joseph Dunnigan III in Los Angeles and later adopted the surname Flanigan. He attended a boarding school in Ojai, California, where he discovered his passion for acting. Despite initially not planning to pursue a career in acting, Flanigan took acting classes to overcome his shyness. He later earned a history degree at the University of Colorado and spent a year studying at the Sorbonne in Paris. Flanigan is known for his talented portrayal of John Sheppard, a beloved character in the Stargate franchise.