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If you watch through the later SG-1 openings, most characters simply have the actor/actress names listed. However, starting with later seasons, Michael Shanks has this:
No other actor has a name listed.
Why was the name of Daniel Jackson specifically called out in these opening credits when none of the other in-universe character names are listed?
Michael Shanks only got "and" billing in the show's seventh season, after he was offered a sizeable financial incentive to return to the show after taking time out. It stands to reason that the additional credit was simply part of his contractual negotiations along with more money, better storylines and more words per episode.
Prior to that he had second-billing in Seasons 1-5, no billing in Season 6 (other than as a "guest star") and "and" billing from Season 7 onwards.
The "and __ as __" credit has been around almost as long as TV itself.
Sometimes it went to the big star, but usually it was a way to reward someone who was important to the show with something extra. It sweetened the pot without giving them any more money.
The article goes on to list "and __ as ___" credits from many TV shows, including "Anthony Stewart Head as Giles" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
