MacGyver tops TV tough guy poll (+pics)

Stuff.co.nz
Last updated 15:19 19/11/2008
TOUGH GUY: Cult figure MacGyver has been named TV's toughest action hero in a new poll.
RUNNER UP: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, came second in TV Guide's poll.
GOOD WITH A GUN: Jack Bauer has come in third in a poll naming TV's toughest heroes.
TOUGH GIRL: Sydney Bristow, played by Jennifer Garner, was named fourth in TV Guide's toughest TV hero poll.
MAN WITH THE MO': Magnum PI, played by Tom Selleck, came fifth in TV Guide's poll listing television's toughest action heroes.

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Cult small screen icon MacGyver has beaten fellow TV characters Jack Bauer and Magnum PI to be named television's toughest action hero in a new poll.

MacGyver was played by Richard Dean Anderson for seven seasons between 1985 and 1992. He was known for cheating death by regularly escaping out of seemingly impossible situations.

In one episode, MacGyver was dumped in the ocean in a wooden coffin by baddies, only to escape when the coffin turned into a jet ski.

Surprisingly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, came second in the poll, beating 24's Jack Bauer (Keifer Sutherland), who was third.

Alias' Sydney Bristow, played by Jennifer Garner, came fourth, and Tom Selleck's Magnum PI was fifth.

Xena: Warrior Princess, played by New Zealand actress Lucy Lawless, was also included in the top 10.

TV Guide's top five TV action heroes:

1. MacGyver
2. Buffy The Vampire Slayer
3. Jack Bauer (24)
4. Sydney Bristow (Alias)
5. Magnum PI

* Who do you think TV's toughest action hero is? Do you agree with the list? Post your comments below.

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110 comments
Buffy Fan 1   #110   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

OMG wot are u all on about buffy is like the best t.v. show in the world ever and Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy) should have been number 1 she rocks and so does buffy u r all mad BUFFY ROCKS!!!!!!!

jeff   #109   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Where is steven seagal??

LucyXenaCL   #108   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Xena Is the Toughest action hero!

RDA FAN   #107   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

MacGyver number 1... Sweeet. i love watching the show. Mac got a heart of gold. He cares for alot of people and the environment. that is what the show was trying to point out to us fans. there is another story on here where there was a poll where MacGyver voted for number one 'Who going to save us? MacGyver of course'

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4200689a4560.html

Alana   #106   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I agree with magiver as first but I think John Chichen (farscape ) should be second

Dana   #105   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

McGyver, boo! Xena is and will always be the toughest hero ever!

Alison   #104   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

YYYAAAAA for MacGyver being number one... sweet. I love watching the show and RDA is my fav actor back then and is now. All of RDA fans would be happy with this news.

Geoff Wood   #103   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Wouldn't be a yank - would be one of half a dozen pom cop possibities.

Luke   #102   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Jake 2.0 all the way

Roger   #101   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I guess it all depends on how you define tough but if you are talking about no nonsense, hardened, unyielding tough guys the brits have it all over the rest. Dennis Waterman as Terry McCann or George Carter, Doyle (more so than Bodie) and Callan (Edward Woodward) were real hardmen compared to the slapstick A team, Magnum PI etc. Mc Gyver was innovative but tough ...doubt it.


Show 51-100 of 110 comments
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