For the first time in about five years, the actor who portrayed the original MacGyver has appeared in public in his Malibu neighborhood. Richard Dean Anderson became a household name when he appeared on television as MacGyver. But now, he has been living a reclusive life in Malibu, where he hasn’t been seen in public for more than five and a half years.

Anderson has appeared in some international events over the last few years, but this is the first sighting of the 1980s heartthrob. He was caught on camera while running errands outside of his Malibu residence. The photographer caught him in “the wild” only eight days after Anderson celebrated his 72nd birthday.

In the photos, Anderson is shown wearing a checkered flannel shirt along with green pants. He wore black sneakers and was carrying a canvas tote, which he planned to use while running his errands outside of the home. According to a report published by the Daily Mail, Anderson looked slimmer now than he did when he last appeared on camera in September 2016. He was also caught with longer hair than he previously had in the documented photos.

Anderson divorced actress Apryl A. Prose, the mother of his only child, Wylie Anderson, 23, back in 2003. He is believed to still be single – making him an eligible bachelor. Anderson’s marriage came to an end seven years after their wedding.

Anderson was raised in Minnesota but has settled in Malibu, California, since becoming a celebrity. He built his Malibu home based on a Midwestern style design. His home has appeared in an issue of Architectural Digest, making it a desirable home for anyone who loves the Midwest and the California weather.

Back in the 1980s, Anderson got his big break in Hollywood when he was cast as the lead of the hit show MacGyver on ABC. His character was famous for “jerry-rigging objects together to quickly solve problems and fight crime. In the show, MacGyver diffused a bomb with a simple paper clip and used pieces of a mattress – the springs – to fashion together a weapon that helped him defeat the bad guys.

Anderson has denied that he’s been in hiding, but his absence from the public eye would seem to suggest otherwise. He also appeared in Stargate SG-l and its sequel series, as well as General Hospital and Legends of the Hidden Temple.

The actor looks much different than he did in his “MacGyver” days.

Anderson has stated that he is “done” with the entertainment industry, but it’s unclear what he plans to do next. Anderson was last seen on camera in September 2016 at an event for “The Trust” – a financial institution founded by his son and actor Sean Connery.

Anderson currently resides in Malibu, California, where he built his dream home.

What do you think about Anderson’s appearance now that he has reached his 70s?