Amanda Tappings USAF Colonel Dr. Samantha "Sam" Carter, Ph.D.
The role that changed Amanda Tapping's life
Amanda Tapping's most famous role is probably that of "Colonel Samantha Carter". This character marked the beginning of an unprecedented career for Amanda. For more than 10 years she played the intelligent, kind officer who finds fulfillment in the Stargate program.
The friendly and hardworking actress, who is highly regarded by all her colleagues and fans, not only cuts a fine figure in front of the camera, but also produces and, above all, directs. Despite all her successes in various areas of film and television, she has never been unfaithful to a role and she still appreciates what "Sam Carter" gave her:
"...What I love about Sam is that she is not shrill. She doesn't have a hard side, although she probably has to fight really hard in the world of men. But she didn't choose that path. She chose to just be and live in the environment she is in and prove herself by being who she is - without always waving the flag of 'I'm a woman and I'm just as good!'"
Photos: Screenshots of my CDs
Who is Sam Carter
Samantha Carter, a brilliant scientist and military officer, is an integral part of the SG-1 team.
→ She was born on December 29, 1968.
→ Her father, Jacob Carter [Carmen Argenziano †], was a Major General in the U.S. Air Force.
→ Her mother tragically died in a car accident. Sam was a teenager at the time, and her relationship with her father became extremely strained after the devastating loss. Her brother Mark [?] also became estranged from his father, and until a recent reconciliation, Sam had also lost contact with Mark and his family in San Diego.
→ Sam was reunited with her father when Jacob Carter was succumbing to cancer and volunteered to host the Tok'ra symbiote Selmak in his body. Jacob/Selmak became the liaison officer between the SGC and the Tok'ra. Over time, Sam's relationship with her father has become closer than ever.
→ Sam lives alone in a one-story house at 1025 in a suburb of Colorado Springs.
→ She sometimes talks to her plants.
→ She drinks her coffee black, likes diet soda and blue Jell-O.
→ She drives a 1961 Volvo, later a silver Volvo sedan [Amanda's own car] with a sunroof and the license plate "Colorado QTL3016".
→ Sam is mechanically savvy and spends her limited free time tinkering with her vintage 1940 Indian motorcycle with Sgt. Syler [Dan Shea]. (Unfortunately, we never see her ride the bike!)
→ Her passion for speed and competition also surfaces occasionally.
→ Sam is also an accomplished poker player.
Capable Officer
In addition to her scientific background, Sam Carter is also an outstanding military officer.
→ She logged over 100 hours in enemy airspace during the Gulf War and completed simulated bombing missions in an F-16. Although she does not wear pilot wings, she has completed training as a fighter pilot. Sam not only flies terrestrial aircraft, but has flown in both the pilot's seat and co-pilot's seat of alien aircraft such as the F-302.
→ She is excellent with all types of weapons and has sniper training.
→ She has achieved level three in close combat training, enjoys "playing" with C-4 (explosives) and is very skilled at picking locks.
→ Sam has extensive medical field training that she must use regularly.
Carter's brilliant military career has brought her many recognitions and honors.
→ She was awarded the "Air Medal" for outstanding courage and heroism. → After two years of exemplary service with the SGC, Carter was promoted to the rank of Major, and several missions saw her given temporary command of SG-1.
→ Five years after reaching the rank of Major, she was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and with O'Neill's [Richard Dean Anderson] promotion to General, making him Commander of the SGC, Carter became the Commanding Officer of SG-1.
→ She is one of the highest ranking female officers in the SGC, having risen through the ranks of Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel during her time with the SGC.
