David Hewlett

David Ian Hewlett is a British-Canadian actor, writer, and director. He is best known for playing the brilliant but egotistical Dr. Rodney McKay across the Stargate franchise, a role that made him a fan favorite in science fiction circles. Before that, he starred as David Worth in the cult horror film Cube and played Grant Jansky on the Canadian drama Traders. With a career spanning over three decades, Hewlett has appeared in more than 50 film and television productions, from indie genre fare to blockbusters like Rise of the Planet of the Apes. He has also written and directed several projects, showing a versatility behind the camera. Today, he continues to take on character roles in series such as The Handmaid's Tale and The Umbrella Academy, maintaining a steady presence in the industry. Fans appreciate his dry wit and the authenticity he brings to intellectual characters, a trait rooted in his own background in technology and computing. Born on April 18, 1968, in Redhill, Surrey, England, he moved to Canada as a child. He left the University of Toronto without graduating to pursue acting, and his first professional role was in the horror film Pin (1988). Over the years, he has built a reputation as a reliable character actor with a knack for playing socially awkward geniuses, a niche that has earned him a loyal following. His work spans film, television, and independent projects, and he remains active in the industry as of 2026.[edit]

David Hewlett was born in Redhill, England, but his family emigrated to Canada when he was a child, settling in the Toronto area. His father worked as an engineer, which sparked Hewlett's early interest in technology. As a teenager, he built his own computer and taught himself programming, a skill that would later inform his most famous role. He attended the University of Toronto but left before completing his degree to pursue acting full-time. His first professional acting gig came with a small role in the 1988 horror film Pin, a modest start that gave him a taste of the industry. Over the next few years, he took on supporting parts in Canadian genre films like Scanners II: The New Order (1991) and Scanners III: The Takeover (1992), gradually building his resume. A significant turning point came when he was cast as Grant Jansky on the Canadian drama series Traders in 1996, a role that earned him wider recognition at home. That same year, he landed the lead in Cube, a low-budget psychological horror that would become a cult classic and put him on the map internationally. During his teenage years, he also experimented with video production, further fueling his interest in filmmaking. He grew up in a middle-class family and his early exposure to engineering and computing shaped his approach to acting, especially when portraying technically minded characters.[edit]

Hewlett's breakthrough came with Cube (1997), where he played David Worth, an architect trapped in a deadly maze. The film's success at festivals and on home video turned it into a cult phenomenon. In 2002, he made his first appearance as Dr. Rodney McKay on Stargate SG-1 in the episode "The Fifth Race." The character was originally meant to appear only once, but fan response was so strong that Hewlett was brought back as a recurring guest and later became a main cast member on the spin-off Stargate Atlantis (2004–2009). He appeared in over 100 episodes across both series, making McKay one of the franchise's most enduring figures. After Stargate Atlantis ended, Hewlett wrote, directed, and starred in the independent comedy A Dog's Breakfast (2007), featuring his sister Kate Hewlett and fellow Stargate cast members. He returned to the big screen in Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) as lab technician Hunsiker. Throughout the 2010s, he maintained steady television work with recurring roles on Dark Matter (2015–2017) and The Expanse (2018), and guest spots on The Umbrella Academy (2020) and The Handmaid's Tale (2021). He also appeared in the direct-to-DVD film Stargate: Continuum (2008) and has done voice work for video games and animation. His career has been marked by consistent genre television work, with occasional forays into writing and directing.[edit]

Hewlett is widely regarded as a character actor with a knack for playing brilliant, socially awkward intellectuals. His portrayal of Dr. Rodney McKay defined his career, and fans of the Stargate franchise hold him in high regard for bringing depth and humor to a role that could have been one-dimensional. In person and on social media, he comes across as approachable, witty, and genuinely engaged with his fanbase. He is a regular at Stargate conventions, where he participates in panels and signings, often sharing behind-the-scenes stories. His everyman appearance and self-deprecating style make him relatable, while his background in technology adds credibility to his on-screen personas. Media coverage tends to emphasize his longevity in genre television and his status as a fan favorite rather than mainstream celebrity. He is known for his dry sense of humor and interactive social media presence, often posting about his dogs and technology. His fan following is particularly strong within the science fiction community, where he is celebrated for bringing authenticity to intellectual characters.[edit]

David Hewlett's fanbase is deeply intertwined with the Stargate franchise, though it lacks a formal, universally adopted name. Fans of his iconic character, Dr. Rodney McKay, are typically referred to simply as 'McKay fans' or 'Stargate fans.' Hewlett himself embraces the 'Stargate genius' persona, a playful moniker he uses in his social media bios, which has become a beloved inside joke within the community. The fanbase is organized through dedicated Stargate communities, such as the SGCommand Fandom wiki, and has rallied around the #SaveStargate campaign, with Hewlett and co-star Rachel Luttrell appearing at Shore Leave 46 in July 2026 to support the cause. Fans also support his nonprofit TechBandits.org and have championed his early film Pin (1988), which has gained a cult following as 'the best horror movie you've never heard of.'

In terms of global fame, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated David Hewlett, but as of August 2026, he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, which include the Global Top 1,000 and Top-100 scope lists. This means he is not ranked among the most famous people worldwide or within any specific category. His fame remains significant within the science fiction and Stargate communities, but it does not currently translate into a top-tier global ranking according to iFANN's metrics.[edit]

David Hewlett built his first computer at age 14 and taught himself programming, a skill he later used to make Dr. McKay's technical dialogue sound authentic. He worked as a computer programmer before acting took off. His dry, self-deprecating humor is evident in convention panels and online interactions. He is an animal lover, frequently posting about his dogs on social media. Hewlett wrote and directed A Dog's Breakfast (2007), an independent comedy featuring his sister Kate and several Stargate cast members. His character Rodney McKay was originally meant to appear in only one episode of Stargate SG-1 but became so popular that he was brought back as a regular. Hewlett stands 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall. He has been nominated for Gemini and Leo Awards but has not won major international awards. He is active on X (@dhewlett) and Instagram (@davidihewlett).

One legendary story fans still retell is his revelation in July 2025 that filming the fan-favorite Stargate Atlantis episode 'The Shrine' was 'absolute hell' due to its intense emotional demands. In September 2025, he admitted he was worried about the episode 'The Last Man,' another emotionally heavy installment. His breakout film Pin (1988) has been re-evaluated over the years and is now hailed as a landmark of Canadian horror, with a 2026 review calling it 'the best horror movie you've never heard of.'[edit]

Hewlett's father was an engineer, which influenced his early interest in technology. His sister, Kate Hewlett, is also an actress and writer; she appeared alongside him in Stargate Atlantis and starred in his directorial debut A Dog's Breakfast. Hewlett married Canadian actress Soo Garay in 2001. The couple has one son, Sid Hewlett, born in 2008. The family lives a relatively private life in Canada, and Hewlett often shares photos of his dogs on social media. His parents emigrated from England to Canada when he was a child, and he grew up in the Toronto area. He has no other siblings. Hewlett's family background, particularly his father's engineering career, played a significant role in shaping his interests and career path.[edit]

Hewlett frequently collaborates with his sister, actress Kate Hewlett, who appeared with him in Stargate Atlantis and starred in his film A Dog's Breakfast. He worked closely with director Vincenzo Natali on Cube and has remained friends with many Stargate co-stars, including Joe Flanigan, Amanda Tapping, and Michael Shanks.[edit]

David Hewlett married Canadian actress Soo Garay in 2001. Garay is known for her work in Canadian television and film, including roles on The Border and Murdoch Mysteries. The couple met through mutual industry connections and have maintained a relatively private relationship. They have one son, Sid Hewlett, born in 2008. No other public relationships or significant romantic partners have been documented in credible sources before or after his marriage. As of 2026, Hewlett and Garay remain married and live in Canada. Hewlett's marriage has been stable and low-profile, with few details publicly disclosed. He has not been linked to any other partners in entertainment news.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates David Hewlett's net worth at $3.5 million, primarily accumulated from his long-running role on the Stargate franchise. During the peak of Stargate Atlantis, he reportedly earned between $50,000 and $100,000 per episode. Additional income comes from film roles such as Cube and Rise of the Planet of the Apes, as well as voice work for video games and animation. Hewlett also earns from writing and directing independent projects, and he is a regular guest at Stargate conventions, where appearance fees can range from $5,000 to $20,000 per event. He has no known major endorsement deals or business ventures. His net worth has remained stable over recent years, reflecting a steady but not skyrocketing career in character acting. This estimate does not account for potential real estate holdings or private investments.[edit]