Joe Flanigan (born January 5, 1967) is an American television actor best known as Major/Lt. Colonel John Sheppard in Stargate Atlantis. Flanigan was born Joseph Dunnigan III in Los Angeles, California.
Joe has said that his Dad left his mom "Like the day after I was born" and so his name was changed to Joseph Flanigan after he was adopted by his stepfather, John Flanigan.
He is best friends with Stargate Atlantis co-star Jason Momoa which Momoa has said in many interviews. They often lived together while shooting the show in Vancouver, and they both lived in Malibu separately during season breaks, where they would surf together.
He is also good friends with co-star David Hewlett and shares his birthday with Stargate Atlantis co-star Paul McGillion.