I was living in New York City and flat broke. My next door neighbor was an actor and he always seemed to be having more fun than I was. He convinced me to give acting a shot, but because of my shyness I was sure it would be a lost cause.

He shares his birthday with former Stargate Atlantis co-star Paul McGillion. He has said that his father left his mother soon after he was born and that his surname was changed to Flanigan after he was adopted by his stepfather John Flanigan. As part of the Junior Year Abroad program Flanigan spent a year studying at the Sorbonne in Paris where he learned French.

Colonel John Sheppard in Stargate Atlantis. Joe Flanigan (born January 5 1967) is an American television actor best known for his portrayal of the character Major/Lt.