Yes, I think for many celebs and actors this is actually the case and except for those who occupy Hollywood where EVERYONE is expected to be beautiful and if you aren't you don't belong, I've met many really goodlooking actors whose wives are very ordinary looking women. Almost as if they have deliberately gone for someone who is like that.
Of course, the fact that a very beautiful partner might cause the handsome actor to be upstaged is another factor.
I feel very strongly that introducing a character like Daniel, who is the type to awaken the 'cosseting' instinct in many women anyway was a risk.... but in the movie, they had James Spader play him and while James is a relatively good looking guy, he's a lot less pretty and vulnerable looking than Michael Shanks. There for he didn't have quite the same impact as Michael has.
It is true that James created the 'needy and nerdy' look of Daniel originally and of course MS has carried on the motion as any actor would attempt to do. But between them MS is, without a doubt, much 'prettier' than James feature for feature and I think the combination of a very handsome young man, combined with the 'neediness and vulnerability' of the character of Daniel has produced a rather disastrous combination. One which a VERY large section of the female part of Stargate fandom have been utterly unable to resist. Hence the considerable hysteria whenever his name comes up and the constant desire of fanfic writers, fans and even the Stargate writers to whump the hell out of him and basically constantly reaffirm the 'needy, pretty boy' image of the character, which has translated itself to the actor himself.
I think that it's so obvious that MS has been constantly trying to offset this impression.... in Season 5, it suddenly dawned on his drooling fandom that MS had developed some considerable biceps since Season 4..... he also acted the roughie toughie soldier type a lot more..... previous to that he had his hair cut short in a 'manly' style instead of the Hugh Grant foppish cowlick hairstyle. He even stated that the nerdy Daniel as created by James was 'not really his type'. I think this whole exercise has been to try and toughen the character up so that he didn't appeal in the same way.
Unfortunately, the damage had already been well and truly done. The rabid fans were his fans no matter what he did.... which is nice in a way.... if they weren't quite so rabid perhaps.
He cut his hair....they drooled over that and added his blue eyes and cute bum to the mix. He developed biceps and the river of drool swelled to a positive white water rafting river.....he fired his weapon like a professional and they sighed blissfully over "Daniel growing up and becoming a man".
Whatever the poor man did to alleviate this situation has made no difference whatsoever. He has taken his role in this show as far as the fans will let it go. He must be frustrated beyond belief. And I truly think that out of sheer exasperation and desperation, he has decided to cut his losses and do something else.
Perhaps actually become an actor maybe?
Because what he is at present is mainly a pretty face....but it doesn't make him a truly good actor. He needs to go off and do some gruelling theatre work for a little longer than eight months (which is the length he did previously) and perhaps some more small supporting roles in movies and TV (preferably roles which ARE not reliant upon having a pretty face) and a lot of PR appearances. Just like every other actor does to get himself/herself noticed.
He'll always be pretty but maybe he should compromise that a little in a similar way to Brad Pitt who, as I recall, made a couple of movies where he actually damaged his prettiness slightly in order to get into the role. I seem to recall one where he actually had his front teeth chipped.
This is why I sincerely hope that the replacement character will most positively NOT be the same vulnerable, droopy, pretty, nerdy type as the Daniel of yore. I don't think the show's producers will be doing themselves or the show any favours if they do this.
I don't feel anything for MS as a person....but I do truly sympathise with the fact that this show, while putting him in the limelight, has also been a constant uphill struggle for him with a fanbase who hysterically drool and fantasise over him no matter what he does.
I am sure that this has been a rather bittersweet experience for the poor guy.
