MacGyver: What You Didn’t Know About The Classic Show

Teri Hatcher as Penny Parker

Before she was in Desperate Housewives, Teri Hatcher appeared in several episodes of MacGyver in all of her ’80s-hair glory. She played Penny Parker, a motor-mouthed jewel smuggler who meets MacGyver in line at a Bulgarian airport and tells him she’s trying to escape a scary ex-lover. Sometimes Murdoc uses her as an unwitting pawn while he tries to eliminate MacGyver.

Hatcher appears in six episodes in total, from seasons one through five. Her character comes across as a damsel in distress, so of course, Mac tries to save her and gets a smooch in return. It’s hard to believe she went on to win a Golden Globe and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy.

The Star Trek Connection

Japanese-American actor George Takei is best known for his role as Dr. Sulu on Star Trek, but did you know he was also on MacGyver? He made an appearance in the second season’s fourth episode, “The Wish Child” as a member of the Chinese Mafia who held MacGyver’s friend’s younger brother captive.

It’s safe to say George Takei went on to do bigger and better things, and he continues to make appearances in shows and movies to this day. He’s also involved in philanthropic work and is a powerful voice for LGBT and immigration activism. He appeared in a documentary about his life called To Be Takei.