David Nykl

Most often recognized by science-fiction fans, David Nykl is best known for his work as Dr. Radek Zelenka on TV's "Stargate: Atlantis." Born in Prague, Nykl and his family fled Czechoslovakia after the Soviet Invasion of 1968, and moved to Canada. Showing an early affinity for acting, Nykl performed in school plays and commercials and took acting and dance lessons. His senior year of high school, he put on a play he'd written himself titled "The Murder Room." From there he attended the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, where he studied literature, theater, and drama. After graduation and some travel abroad, he worked within the Vancouver theater scene and built his own collective, called Ironworks Productions. The group's theatrical productions upped Nykl's status, and soon he returned to his homeland to perform in " Royal Hunt of the Sun." While in Prague, he formed the theatrical troupe Misery Loves Company, which proved to be quite successful. When Nykl returned to Vancouver, he soon found work in TV and film. While he's accrued over 40 credits since his TV debut on "Danger Bay" in 1988, "Stargate: Atlantis" has proved to be his most popular endeavor. He's gone on to appear as Dr. Zelenka on more than 50 episodes of "Stargate: Atlantis," as well as making an appearance on its sister show "Stargate SG-1." In 2005, Nykl earned a Leo Award nomination for his portrayal of the grounded Czech scientist.