Lynda Carter

Last updated

Lynda Carter
Lynda Carter2 (cropped).jpg
Carter in 2012
Born
Lynda Jean Cordova Carter [1]

(1951-07-24) July 24, 1951 (age 73) [2]
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1968–present
Known for Miss World USA 1972
Wonder Woman (1975–1979)
Maybelline commercials
Lens Express commercials
Political party Democratic [3]
Spouses
(m. 1977;div. 1982)
(m. 1984;died 2021)
Children2
Awards Hollywood Walk of Fame
Website lyndacarter.com

Lynda Jean Cordova Carter (born July 24, 1951) is an American actress, singer, and beauty pageant titleholder best known as the star of the live-action television series Wonder Woman , in the role of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, based on the DC comic book fictional superhero character of the same name. As a pageant contestant, Carter was crowned Miss World USA 1972 and finished in the top 15 at the Miss World 1972 pageant. She achieved fame playing Wonder Woman in a series that aired on ABC and later on CBS from 1975 to 1979. [4]

Contents

Early life

Carter was born in Phoenix, Arizona, the daughter of Juana (née Córdova) and Colby Carter. [1] [5] Her father is of English and Irish ancestry, and her mother, whose family hailed from Chihuahua, Mexico, is of Spanish and French descent. [6] [7] She has one brother, Vincent, and one sister, Pamela.[ citation needed ]

Carter made her public television debut on Lew King's Talent Show at age 5. During high school, Carter performed in a band called Just Us. The band included a marimba, a conga drum, an acoustic guitar, and a stand-up bass which was played by another girl in the group. At age 15, Carter began singing in the local pizza parlor to earn extra money. [8] When she was 16, she joined two of her cousins in another band called The Relatives. Actor Gary Burghoff was the drummer for the band. The group opened at the Sahara Hotel and Casino lounge in Las Vegas for three months; because Carter was under 21 she had to enter through the kitchen. [9]

In 1970, Carter successfully auditioned for and then sang on tour with The Garfin Gathering and bandleader Howard (Speedy) Garfin. Their first performance together was at the Holiday Inn Chinatown, a San Francisco hotel so new that it had no completed sidewalk entrance. Consequently, they played mostly to the hotel staff and hotel guests who parked their cars in the underground garage. [10] The Garfin Gathering toured the Nevada "Silver Circuit", playing shows in many of the state's casino lounges between Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Reno, and Las Vegas. In 1972, Carter decided to leave the Garfin Gathering to pursue an acting career, returning to Arizona. [11]

Career

Left to right: Carter as Miss World USA 1972, Priscilla Barnes, Betty Jo Grove, with Bob Hope at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD. Beauty contestants visit National Naval Medical Center.jpg
Left to right: Carter as Miss World USA 1972, Priscilla Barnes, Betty Jo Grove, with Bob Hope at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD.

In 1972, Carter won a local Arizona beauty contest and gained national attention in the United States by winning Miss World USA 1972, representing Arizona. [12] In the international Miss World 1972 pageant, representing the United States she reached the Top 15. She took acting classes at several New York acting schools during the early 1970s. One of her acting partners during this time was future CBS president Les Moonves. [13] Carter made her first acting appearance in "Roots of Anger", an episode of the 1974 police drama Nakia . [14] She began making appearances on such TV shows as Starsky and Hutch and Cos , as well as appearances in several "B" movies. [15]

Wonder Woman

Carter as Wonder Woman in 1976 Lynda Carter Wonder Woman black and white.jpg
Carter as Wonder Woman in 1976

Wonder Woman, the fictional superhero character, was created by the American psychologist and writer William Moulton Marston and artist Harry G. Peter in 1941 for DC Comics. Conceived in the wake of the popularity of Superman, Marston designed his creation as counter-programming to the Man of Steel. The Diana Prince/Wonder Woman character is also called the Amazing Amazon, the Spirit of Truth, Themyscira's Champion, and the Goddess of Love and War. Wonder Woman was an instant hit with readers and became the most prominent DC comic book female superhero. [16]

Carter's acting career took off when she landed the starring role on Wonder Woman in 1975, as the title character and her secret identity, Diana Prince. The savings she had set aside from her days of touring on the road with her band [17] to pursue acting in Los Angeles were almost exhausted. Carter has publicly stated that, on the day she got the part, she had $25 in the bank. She was close to returning to Arizona when her manager informed her that Joanna Cassidy had lost the role and Carter had the part of Wonder Woman. Carter's earnest performance greatly endeared her to both fans and critics. As a result, she continues to be closely identified with Wonder Woman. [11]

The Wonder Woman series lasted for three seasons, from 1975 to 1979. It first aired on ABC, and later on CBS. Carter's performance, rooted in the character's inherent goodness combined with a comic-accurate costume and a catchy theme song, made for a depiction that was considered iconic. [16] After the show ended, Carter told Us that "I never meant to be a sexual object for anyone but my husband. I never thought a picture of my body would be tacked up in men's bathrooms. I hate men looking at me and thinking what they think. And I know what they think. They write and tell me." [18] The 2018 journal article "Casting a Wider Lasso: An Analysis of the Cultural Dismissal of Wonder Woman Through Her 1975-1979 Television Series" argued that the show strongly adapted Wonder Woman's ideals but "was suppressed, undone, and discredited" by American culture as part of a larger legacy suppressing the character. [19]

In 2017, Carter explained her perspective of portraying the Diana Prince/Wonder Woman character. Carter says she got the role back in 1975 largely because she looked the part, which was both a blessing and—as one of the show's producers warned her—a curse, saying that "Oh, women are going to be so jealous of you." Carter had responded, "Not a chance. They won't be, because I am not playing her that way. I want women to want to be me, or be my best friend!". As Carter describes portraying Wonder Woman, "There is something about the character where in your creative mind for that time in your life where you pretended to be her, or whatever the situation was, that it felt like you could fly". [20]

In 1985, DC Comics named Carter one of the honorees, in the company's 50th anniversary publication Fifty Who Made DC Great , for her work on the Wonder Woman series. [21]

In 2007, DC Direct released a 13-inch (330 mm) full-figure statue of Carter as Wonder Woman, limited to 5,000 pieces; [22] it was re-released in 2010. [23] Also in 2010, DC Direct began selling a 5+12 in (140 mm) bust of Carter's Wonder Woman to celebrate the 75th anniversary of DC Comics. [24]

During production of the 2017 Wonder Woman feature film, director Patty Jenkins approached Carter to appear in a cameo role in the film, as Carter confirmed, "Patty asked me to do a cameo in this. She was in England, and I was doing my concerts," explaining she had singing engagements that made her unavailable. "At that time we couldn't get our timing together. So, this next time, if she writes me a decent part, I might do it." [25] Carter did make a cameo in the post-credits scene of the sequel film, Wonder Woman 1984 where she plays Asteria, the "Golden Warrior" of the Amazons. [26]

Carter holds dear the new film and the character introduced more than 75 years ago. "Many actresses or actors, they want to divorce themselves from a role because we are actors, we really aren't the people that we play. But I knew very early on that this character is much more than me certainly, and to try to divorce myself from the experiences that other people have of the character is silly," she said. [25]

Music and promotional work

While Wonder Woman was being produced, Carter was well recognized and in demand for promotional work. In 1978, Carter was voted "The Most Beautiful Woman in the World" by the International Academy of Beauty and the British Press Organization. [27] She had also signed a modelling contract with Maybelline cosmetics in 1977. [17] In 1979, she appeared in a Diet 7Up commercial along with comedian Don Rickles.

Carter was the first woman to provide a voiceover for a movie trailer, as she did for the 1975 film The Drowning Pool .

Carter continued to pursue her interest in music. During the late 1970s she recorded the album Portrait . Carter is credited in several variety television programs for being a co-writer on several songs and making numerous musical guest appearances. She also sang two of her songs in a 1979 Wonder Woman episode, "Amazon Hot Wax".

In 1977, Carter released a promotional poster through Pro Arts at the suggestion of her then-husband and manager, Ron Samuels. The poster was very successful despite Carter's dissatisfaction with it. In 1981 during an interview on the NBC television special Women Who Rate a 10, she said:

It's uncomfortable because I just simply took a photograph. That's all my participation was in my poster that sold over a million copies, was that I took a photograph that I thought was a dumb photograph. My husband said, "Oh, try this thing tied up here, it'll look beautiful". And the photographer said "the back-lighting is really terrific". So dealing with someone having that picture up in their... bedroom or their... living room or whatever I think would be hard for anyone to deal with. [28]

For Apocalypse Now (1979) she was originally cast in the role of Playboy Playmate Bunny, but the filming of her scenes was interrupted by the storm that wrecked the theater set prompting a delay of nearly two months for rebuilding. By the time director Francis Ford Coppola was ready to shoot again, Carter's contractual obligations to Wonder Woman had forced her back to the States and her scenes were reshot with Colleen Camp. The only evidence remaining of Carter's involvement are the Playboy centerfolds that were specially shot by the magazine as movie props, and a glimpse of Carter's pinup in the Redux version.

Life after Wonder Woman: music, film and television

Carter greeting President Ronald Reagan in 1981 President Ronald Reagan greeting Lynda Carter.jpg
Carter greeting President Ronald Reagan in 1981
Carter at Larry King's birthday party in 1993 Lynda Carter 1993.jpg
Carter at Larry King's birthday party in 1993
Carter greeting President Bill Clinton at a movie screening outside the Family Theatre of the White House in 2000 President William Jefferson Clinton at a movie screening outside the Family Theatre of the White House (06).jpg
Carter greeting President Bill Clinton at a movie screening outside the Family Theatre of the White House in 2000

After Wonder Woman ended, Carter had many opportunities in music, film, and television. In 1980 Carter initially made a guest appearance on The Muppet Show . In the episode's running gag, Kermit the Frog repeatedly reminds the other Muppets that their guest is Carter and not Wonder Woman. This is to no avail as the Muppets ineptly attempt to become superheroes by taking a correspondence course and Miss Piggy portrays "Wonder Pig", a spoof of Carter's television character.

She was quickly given a variety of her own musical TV specials, including Lynda Carter's Special (1980), Encore! (1980), Celebration (1981), Street Life (1982), and Body and Soul (1984). She landed the title role in a biographical film about actress Rita Hayworth (born Margarita Carmen Cansino) titled Rita Hayworth: The Love Goddess (1983).

Carter's next major role after Wonder Woman was in the crime drama television series Partners in Crime with Loni Anderson in 1984. She then portrayed Helen Durant in the 1989 CBS television film Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All where she booby-traps Las Vegas entertainer Johnny Roman (Edward Winter), her husband Doctor Carl Durant, and his employee accountant Brad Peters (Jim Carrey) causing their deaths.

Throughout the 1990s, Carter appeared in a string of television movies which resulted in a resurgence in television appearances for her. She appeared in commercials for Lens Express (now 1-800 Contacts). Around that time Carter created her own production company, Potomac Productions. In 1993, Carter expanded her performance resume to include voice-over work as the narrator for the Sandra Brown book Where There's Smoke. [29]

New millennium

The new millennium saw Carter continuing to work in various areas. Because of the resyndication of Wonder Woman on cable networks like FX and SyFy, Carter participated in two scheduled on-line chat sessions with fans. [30] In 2000, Carter hosted the I Love 1978 episode of BBC2's I Love the '70s . In 2004, she won an award for being the "Superest Superhero" on the Second Annual TV Land Awards the same year. When an announcer reported that an invisible plane was double-parked illegally and needed to be moved before it was towed, she performed her spinning transformation once again after 25 years, although a younger actress wore the star-spangled outfit at that moment.

Carter performed in a variety of film roles, making up a majority of her film work in the 2000s. In 2001, she was cast in the independent comedy feature Super Troopers , as Vermont Governor Jessman. The writers and stars of the film, the comedy troupe Broken Lizard along with the director Jay Chandrasekhar had specifically sought Carter for the role. Inspired by the character detour from her usual roles, she agreed to play a washed-up, former beauty queen in The Creature of the Sunny Side Up Trailer Park (2004) which was directed by Christopher Coppola.

Carter made her first appearance in a major feature film in a number of years in the big-screen remake of The Dukes of Hazzard (2005), also directed by Chandrasekhar. She appeared in Disney's action comedy film Sky High (2005) as Principal Powers, the headmistress of a school for superheroes. The script allowed Carter to poke fun at her most famous character when she states: "I can't do anything more to help you. I'm not Wonder Woman, y'know." In 2006, she guest-starred in the made-for-cable vampire film Slayer . The following year Carter returned to the DC Comics' television world in the Smallville episode "Progeny" (2007), playing Chloe Sullivan's Kryptonite-empowered mother.

Carter expanded her voice-over work to include video games, performing voices for the nord and orsimer (orc) females in two computer games of The Elder Scrolls series beginning in 2002, and including The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind , The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion , and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim . These games were developed by Bethesda Softworks; her husband, businessman Robert A. Altman was chairman and CEO of Bethesda's parent company, ZeniMax Media.

Carter decided to do a variety of theater projects. From September to November 2005, Carter played "Mama Morton" in the West End London production of Chicago. [31] In 2006, her rendition of "When You're Good to Mama" was officially released on the Chicago: 10th Anniversary Edition CD box set. In May 2007, Carter began touring the U.S. with her one-woman musical cabaret show, An Evening with Lynda Carter. She played engagements at such venues as Feinstein's at Loews Regency in New York, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Razz Room in San Francisco, and the Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles. In June 2009, her second album, At Last was released and reached No. 10 on Billboard's Jazz Albums Chart. [32] In June 2011, Carter released her third album, Crazy Little Things which she describes as a delightful mix of standards, country, and pop tunes. [33] In 2015, Carter wrote and recorded five original songs for the video game Fallout 4 in which she herself stars. [34] [35] [36] An EP of the songs from the game's soundtrack was released on iTunes on November 6, 2015. [37] The song "Good Neighbor" from the EP was nominated by NAVGTR for best song under the category of Song, Original or Adapted. [38] In 2018, Carter released her fourth album titled Red, Rock n' Blues with her All-Star Band which featured two vocals with her daughter, Jessica Altman. She continues to perform her concerts nationally at venues including The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, Feinstein's at the Nikko in San Francisco, the Franklin Theater in Nashville, and Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC. Carter performs with her All-Star Band and presents her special guest, Jessica Altman. Jessica released her own EP No Rules in early 2020. [39]

Recent work

On June 16, 2017, Dr. Carla Hayden and Carter at the Library of Awesome event, where a discussion of the United Nations, the 2017 Wonder Woman film, and feminism was held. Dr. Hayden and Lynda Carter at LOC Library of Awesome.jpg
On June 16, 2017, Dr. Carla Hayden and Carter at the Library of Awesome event, where a discussion of the United Nations, the 2017 Wonder Woman film, and feminism was held.

Carter is among the interview subjects in Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle, a three-hour documentary narrated by Liev Schreiber that premiered on PBS in October 2013. [40]

Carter, fellow Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot, DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins, and U.N. Under-Secretary General Cristina Gallach appeared at the United Nations on October 21, 2016, the 75th anniversary of the first appearance of Wonder Woman to mark the character's designation by the United Nations as its "Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls". [41] [42] The gesture was intended to raise awareness of UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030. [41] [42] [43] However the decision was met with protests from UN staff members who stated in their petition to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that the character is "not culturally encompassing or sensitive", and served to objectify women. As a result the character was stripped of the designation and the project ended on December 16. [43]

In 2017, Carter rejoined the Warner Bros./DC Comics film and television family on the second season of The CW's Supergirl television series in the role of President Olivia Marsdin. [44] Executive producer Andrew Kreisberg described Carter's presence on the show as "a big stand to necessitate Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) and the DEO protecting her". [44]

Personal life

Carter as the Grand Marshal at Gay Pride in Washington, D.C. in 2013 Lynda Carter 2013.jpg
Carter as the Grand Marshal at Gay Pride in Washington, D.C. in 2013

Lynda Carter and the French singer Michel Polnareff had a romantic relationship in 1973 before she played the role of Wonder Woman. [45] [46]

Carter has been married twice. Her first marriage was to her former talent agent, Ron Samuels, from 1977 to 1982, a period in which she has publicly stated that she was very unhappy. On January 29, 1984, she married Washington, D.C. attorney Robert A. Altman, law partner of Clark Clifford and later co-founder CEO of ZeniMax Media. [12] She left Hollywood in 1985 to join her husband in Washington, D.C. for a few years. Carter and her husband have two children: James Altman (born January 14, 1988) [47] [48] and Jessica Carter Altman (born October 7, 1990). [12] [49] The couple lived in Potomac, Maryland [12] a home they built in 1987, shortly before the birth of their son. [47] The 20,000 square foot Georgian-style mansion was profiled in the premiere issue of Closer magazine in November 2013, as well as on HGTV. [47]

In 1993, after a lengthy and highly publicized jury trial stemming from his involvement with the Bank of Credit and Commerce International and its secret acquisition of First American Bankshares Inc., Altman was acquitted. [50] Carter was seen on the TV news with her arm around him, declaring, "Not guilty! Not guilty!" to the gathered reporters. On February 3, 2021, Altman died at a hospital in Baltimore owing to a battle with myelofibrosis, a rare form of leukemia; he was 73. [51] [52]

Carter is a fan of ice hockey, specifically the Washington Capitals being her favorite team. [53]

Carter is a Democrat and campaigned for Hillary Clinton during the 2016 United States presidential election [54] she also endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. [55] and Kamala Harris during the 2024 United States presidential election.

In 2003, Carter revealed that her mother had suffered from irritable bowel syndrome for over 30 years leading to Carter touring the country as an advocate and spokeswoman. [56] Carter is also a staunch advocate and supporter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, [57] abortion rights, [58] and legal equality for LGBT people. She was the Grand Marshal for the 2011 Phoenix Pride Parade and the 2011 New York Pride Parades, [59] [60] as well as the 2013 Capital Pride Parade in Washington, D.C. [61] In 2010 she served as Grand Marshall for the Washington, D.C. AIDS Walk.

Health and alcohol problems

In a June 4, 2008, interview with People magazine, Carter stated that she had in the past entered a rehabilitation clinic for treatment of alcoholism and that she had been sober for nearly 10 years. When she was asked what the recovery process had taught her, Carter explained that the best measure of a human being is "how we treat the people who love us, and the people that we love". [62]

Carter states that she is committed to her recovery from alcoholism and addiction. She credits her husband's intervention for her ultimate acceptance of personal powerlessness over alcoholism, stating in a 2016 Council on Recovery interview that, "After 18 years of recovery, I live every day with immense gratitude. I am forever thankful for my family and friends who stood by me and encouraged me… and for those who helped me heal."

The following is press material produced by Carter and her staff regarding her experience of alcoholism:

“Through her inspiring story, Carter shares the power and grace of vulnerability, faith, and surrender that she believes nourish lasting recovery. [63] Celebrating over 20 years of sobriety, Carter continues to guest speak at various health and well-being events. Her recovery story and its message of hope is directed to every member of the family. It is a strong reminder that family support can make a huge difference to a recovering addict or alcoholic.” [64]

Honors

In 1985, DC Comics named Carter as one of the honorees in the company's 50th anniversary publication Fifty Who Made DC Great for her work on the Wonder Woman series. [21]

In 2014, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to Carter's career. Carter's dedication is the 369th honoree on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. [65]

In 2016, Carter received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Gracie Awards. [66] The Gracie Awards ceremony is presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWM), since 1975. [67]

On April 3, 2018, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (HCC) proudly honored Carter with the 2,632nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star is at 6562 Hollywood Boulevard in the television section. HCC President and CEO Leron Gubler unveiled the star with the assistance of guest speakers, director Patty Jenkins and former CBS chairman Leslie Moonves. [68]

On September 17, 2022, the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago honored Carter with the Sor Juana Legacy Award for her outstanding contributions to the arts. The Sor Juana Legacy Award recognizes women of Mexican descent for their lifetime achievements. [69]

On December 13, 2022, Carter was inducted into the California Hall of Fame, [70] along with a handful of others.

Filmography

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
1976 Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw Bobbie Jo Baker
1993Lightning in a BottleCharlotte Furber
2001 Super Troopers Governor Jessmana.k.a. Broken Lizard's Super Troopers
2004 The Creature of the Sunny Side Up Trailer Park Lynettea.k.a. Creature
2005 Sky High Principal Powers
The Dukes of Hazzard Pauline Powers
2006TempbotMary AliceShort film
2007Tattered AngelHazel Anderson
2018 Super Troopers 2 Governor Jessmana.k.a. Broken Lizard's Super Troopers 2
2020 Wonder Woman 1984 Asteria Uncredited cameo; mid-credits scene
2021 The Cleaner Carlene Briggs

Television

YearShowRoleNotes
1974NakiaHelen Chase1 episode
1975 Matt Helm Bobbi Dee1 episode
1975 The New Original Wonder Woman Lead role: Wonder Woman / Diana PrinceTV pilot to the show
1975–1979 Wonder Woman Diana Prince / Wonder Woman 59 episodes
1976 A Matter of Wife... and Death ZeldaTV movie
Starsky & Hutch Vicky“The Las Vegas Strangler” 2 episodes
1976 Break the Bank Herself - panelistTV series, 1 episode
1976CosHerselfTV series, 1 episode
1976–1980 Dinah! Herself - GuestTV series, 6 episodes
1976 Battle of the Network Stars Herself - ABC TeamTV special
1976A Special Olivia Newton-JohnHerself - Wonder WomanTV special
1976 The Hollywood Squares (Daytime)Herself - PanelistTV series, 1 episode
1977 Circus of the Stars Herself - PerformerTV special
1977 The 34th Annual Golden Globe Awards HerselfTV special
1977 The Jacksons Herself - Musical GuestTV series, 1 episode
1977CBS GalaxyHerself - GuestTV Special, 1 episode
1977 The 29th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Herself - PresenterTV special
1977 Circus of the Stars #2 Herself - PerformerTV special
1978 The 35th Annual Golden Globe Awards HerselfTV special
1978Happy Birthday, BobHerselfTV special
1978Grease Day USAHerself - Premiere GuestTV special
1978 The 30th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Herself - NomineeTV special
1978PeopleHerselfTV series, 1 episode
1979 The 6th Annual American Music Awards Herself - PresenterTV special
1979The Lynda Carter SpecialHerself - Host & SingerTV special
1980Lynda Carter Encore!Herself - Host & SingerTV special
The Last SongBrooke NewmanTV movie
The Muppet Show Herself1 episode
1981Born to Be SoldKate CarlinTV movie
1981Lynda Carter's CelebrationHerself - Host & SingerTV special
1982Lynda Carter: Street LifeHerself - Host & SingerTV special
1982 Hotline Brianne O'NeillTV movie
1983 Rita Hayworth: The Love Goddess Rita Hayworth TV movie
1984Lynda Carter Body and SoulHerself - Host & SingerTV special
1984 Partners in Crime aka Fifty-FiftyCarole StanwyckTV series, 13 episodes
1987StillwatchPatricia TraymoreTV movie
1989 Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All Helen DurantTV movie
1991 Daddy Charlotte SampsonTV movie
a.k.a. Danielle Steel's Daddy
Posing: Inspired by Three Real StoriesMeredith LanahanTV movie
a.k.a. I Posed for Playboy
1994–1995 Hawkeye Elizabeth Shields22 episodes
1996 When Friendship Kills Kathryn ArcherTV movie
a.k.a. A Secret Between Friends: A Moment of Truth Movie
She Woke Up PregnantSusan SaroyanTV movie
a.k.a. Crimes of Silence
1997A Prayer in the DarkEmily HayworthTV movie
1998Someone to Love MeDiane YoungTV movie
a.k.a. Someone to Love Me: A Moment of Truth Movie
a.k.a. Girl in the Backseat
1999Family BlessingsLee RestonTV movie
a.k.a. LaVyrle Spencer's 'Family Blessings'
200220/20HerselfTV series, 1 episode
2003Terror PeakDr. Janet FraserTV movie
Hope & Faith Summer Kirkland1 episode
2005 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Lorraine Dillon2 episodes
Law & Order
2006Fox & FriendsHerselfTV series, 1 episode
2006 Slayer Colonel Jessica WeaverTV movie
2007 Smallville Moira SullivanEpisode: "Progeny"
2007 Where Are They Now? Guest - Herself (Wonder Woman)TV series, Australia, 1 episode
2013 Two and a Half Men Herself1 episode
2013 Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle HerselfDocumentary series
2014 Skin Wars Guest judge1 episode
2016–2018 Supergirl U.S. President Olivia MarsdinRecurring role; 5 episodes
2016, 2020 CBS This Morning Herself - GuestTV series, 2 episodes
2017, 2020 Access Hollywood Herself - GuestTV series, 3 episodes
2020, 2022 NBC Today Show Herself - GuestTV series, 3 episodes
2021GMA3: What You Need To KnowHerselfTV series, 1 episode
2021DC FanDome 2021HerselfTV special
2021 Tamron Hall Herself - GuestTV series, 1 episode
2021The 15th Annual CNN Heroes All-Star TributeHerself - PresenterTV special
2023The Morning ShowGuest - HerselfTV series, Australia, 1 episode

Video games

YearGameRoleNotes
2002 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Female Nords
2003 The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon
2006 The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Female Nords, Female Orcs
2011 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, Azura
2014 The Elder Scrolls Online Azura [71]
2015 Fallout 4 Magnolia
2017 The Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind Azura
2019 Rage 2 Phoenix

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbum titleLabelCatalogue No.Format
1978 Portrait Epic Records JE 35308 LP, CD, Digital Download
2009 At Last Potomac ProductionsPP 4001CD, Digital Download
2011Crazy Little ThingsPotomac ProductionsPP 4003CD, Digital Download
2015Fallout 4 (Original Game Soundtrack)Bethesda SoftworksB01MUFVB97Digital Download
2018Red Rock N' BluesPotomac ProductionsPP 4005CD, Digital Download

Singles

YearTitleLabelCatalogue No.Format
1973"It Might As Well Stay Monday"/"I Believe In Music" EMI Records UKEMI 2005 7" Vinyl
1978"Toto (Don't It Feel Like Paradise)"/"Put on a Show" Epic Records EPIC 8-505697" Vinyl
"All Night Song" (Promo)Epic RecordsEPIC 8-506247" Vinyl
1980"The Last Song"/"What's a Little Love Between Friends" Motown Records UKTMG 12077" Vinyl
2021"Human and Divine"Potomac ProductionsDigital Download
2023"Rise Up"Potomac ProductionsDigital Download
2024"Letters from Earth"Potomac ProductionsDigital Download
"Pink Slip Lollipop"Potomac ProductionsDigital Download

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superhero</span> Type of character

A superhero or superheroine is a fictional character who typically possesses superpowers or abilities beyond those of ordinary people, is frequently costumed concealing their identity, and fits the role of the hero; typically using their powers to help the world become a better place, or dedicating themselves to protecting the public and fighting crime. Superhero fiction is the genre of fiction that is centered on such characters, especially, since the 1930s, in American comic books, as well as in Japanese media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wonder Woman</span> Comic book superheroine

Wonder Woman is a superheroine created by the American psychologist and writer William Moulton Marston, and artist Harry G. Peter in 1941 for DC Comics. Marston's wife, Elizabeth, and their life partner, Olive Byrne, are credited as being his inspiration for the character's appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batgirl</span> Comic book superheroine

Batgirl is the name of several fictional superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, depicted as female counterparts and allies to the superhero Batman. The character Betty Kane was introduced into publication in 1961 by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff as Bat-Girl, and was replaced in 1967 by Barbara Gordon, who became the most iconic Batgirl. The character debuted in Detective Comics #359 by writer Gardner Fox and artist Carmine Infantino, introduced as the niece/adoptive daughter of police commissioner James Gordon.

<i>Wonder Woman</i> (TV series) Television series

Wonder Woman, known for seasons 2 and 3 as The New Adventures of Wonder Woman, is an American superhero television series based on the DC Comics comic book superhero of the same name. It stars Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman / Diana Prince and Lyle Waggoner as Steve Trevor Sr. and Jr., and aired for three seasons, from 1975 to 1979. The show's first season aired on ABC and is set in the 1940s, during World War II. The second and third seasons aired on CBS and are set in the then-current day late 1970s, with the title changed to The New Adventures of Wonder Woman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathy Lee Crosby</span> American actress, tennis player (born 1944)

Cathy Lee Crosby is an American actress and former professional tennis player. She achieved TV and film success in the 1980s and was a co-host of the television series That's Incredible!

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patty Jenkins</span> American film director (born 1971)

Patricia Lea Jenkins is an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. She has directed the feature films Monster (2003), Wonder Woman (2017), and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gal Gadot</span> Israeli actress and model (born 1985)

Gal Gadot is an Israeli actress. She portrayed Gisele Yashar in Fast & Furious (2009), a part she reprised in five sequels. She rose to mainstream prominence for her portrayal of Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films (2016–2023), including in Wonder Woman (2017) and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020). She has since starred in the Netflix action-comedy film Red Notice (2021) and the mystery film Death on the Nile (2022). Gadot was included on the list of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time in 2018, and has placed twice in annual rankings of the world's highest-paid actresses.

Wonder Woman is a DC comic book superhero.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cultural impact of Wonder Woman</span> Impact of Wonder Woman in culture

Wonder Woman is a character created for comic books in 1941, the medium in which she is still most prominently found to this day. As befitting an icon of her status, she has made appearances in other forms of media and has been referenced and meta-referenced beyond the scope of traditional superhero entertainment. For several years in the 1950s, the only three superheroes to have their own comic book were Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert A. Altman</span> American businessman (1947–2021)

Robert Alan Altman was an American lawyer and video game executive. He worked as a lawyer in Washington, D.C., and was involved in a scandal surrounding the Bank of Credit and Commerce International. In 1999, he and Christopher Weaver founded ZeniMax Media as the parent holding company for Bethesda Softworks, a video game developer Weaver had founded earlier. Altman served as ZeniMax Media's chief executive officer and chairman until his death. He was also a member of the advisory board of the George Washington University Law School.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amazons (DC Comics)</span> Race of warrior women in DC Comics

The Amazons of DC Comics are a race of warrior women who exist as part of Greek mythology. They live on Paradise Island, later known as Themyscira, an isolated location in the middle of the ocean where they are hidden from Man's World.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wonder Woman (Earth-Two)</span> Comics character

Wonder Woman of Earth-Two is a fictional DC Comics superheroine, from the original stories by Wonder Woman writer and creator, William Moulton Marston and his wife Elizabeth Holloway Marston. After DC Comics established a multiverse in their published stories, which explained how heroes could have been active before World War II, retain their youth, and (subsequent) origins during the 1960s, this version of Wonder Woman was retconned merging with the original Wonder Woman who first appeared in All Star Comics #8.

<i>Wonder Woman</i> (2011 TV pilot) American TV series or program

Wonder Woman is an unaired superhero television pilot produced by Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment for NBC, based on the DC Comics character of the same name. David E. Kelley wrote the pilot, which was directed by Jeffrey Reiner. Adrianne Palicki starred as the main character. The Wonder Woman pilot was expected to debut in 2011, but NBC opted not to buy the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wonder Woman in other media</span>

Since her debut in All Star Comics #8, Diana Prince/Wonder Woman has appeared in a number of formats besides comic books. Genres include animated television shows, direct-to-DVD animated films, video games, the 1970s live action television series, Wonder Woman, The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman Movie, and the live-action DCEU films Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Wonder Woman (2017), Justice League (2017), Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021), Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), and The Flash (2023).

<i>Wonder Woman</i> (1974 film) 1974 television film by Vincent McEveety

Wonder Woman is a 1974 American made-for-television superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, directed by Vincent McEveety and starring Cathy Lee Crosby. The film was a pilot for an intended television series being considered by ABC. The film presented the character as a James Bond–style superspy, and did not contain many elements from the comic book series. Ratings were described as "respectable but not exactly wondrous" and ABC did not pick up the pilot.

Diane Whelan Nelson is an American business executive who was president of DC Entertainment from 2009 to 2018, and president and chief content officer of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment from 2013 to 2018.

<i>Wonder Woman</i> (2017 film) Superhero film directed by Patty Jenkins

Wonder Woman is a 2017 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Films, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, Atlas Entertainment, and Cruel and Unusual Films, and distributed by Warner Brothers. It is the fourth installment of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and a prequel/spin-off to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016). The film was directed by Patty Jenkins and written by Allan Heinberg, based on a story conceived by Heinberg, Zack Snyder, and Jason Fuchs. The film stars Gal Gadot in the title role, alongside Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Danny Huston, David Thewlis, Connie Nielsen, and Elena Anaya. It is the second live action theatrical film featuring Wonder Woman following her debut in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. In Wonder Woman, the Amazon princess Diana sets out to stop World War I, believing the conflict was started by the longtime enemy of the Amazons, Ares, after American pilot and spy Steve Trevor crash-lands on their island Themyscira and informs her about it.

<i>Wonder Woman 77</i> 2015–2016 comic book series published by DC Comics

Wonder Woman '77 is a comic book series published by DC Comics featuring Wonder Woman as a continuation of the 1975–1979 television series starring Lynda Carter. The series was initially written by Marc Andreyko, though other writers later substituted in, with cover art by Nicola Scott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diana Prince (DC Extended Universe)</span> DC Extended Universe character

Diana of Themyscira, also known by her civilian name Diana Prince or her superhero title Wonder Woman, is a fictional character in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), based on the DC Comics character of the same name created by William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter. First appearing in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, she is portrayed by Gal Gadot and later plays a major role in the films Wonder Woman,Justice League, and Wonder Woman 1984, along with cameo appearances in Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Flash. She has become one of the central characters in the DCEU. Gadot's performance as Wonder Woman, the first of the character in live-action cinema, has received critical praise.

References

  1. 1 2 Moore, Micki (January 30, 1990). "Lynda Carter: Beauty and the creative fire". Toronto Star. Toronto: Torstar Syndication Services. p. E1. ISSN   0319-0781. A dedicated, hard-working performer, Lynda Jean Carter was born in Phoenix, Ariz., 38 years ago, the youngest of three children. Accessed September 23, 2011.
  2. "Famous birthdays for July 24: Elisabeth Moss, Anna Paquin". UPI. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  3. Kurtz, Judy (January 27, 2016). "'Wonder Woman' on 2016: 'We need to start bringing people together'". The Hill . Archived from the original on September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  4. "Wonder Woman's origin story". CBS News. June 11, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  5. "Lynda Carter". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  6. "Lynda Carter Selects Brown as Favorite Hue". Youngstown Daily Vindicator. May 21, 1981. Retrieved June 16, 2015. That is perhaps a tribute to her heritage – her mother is a Latin, part Mexican, part Spanish, part French.
  7. Garcia, Nelson A. (April 22, 2011). "Lynda Carter: The Wonder of a Woman". 55plusmag.us. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  8. "Be Sure to Bring Your Wife". The Washington Post . July 21, 1985. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  9. "Lynda Carter's streak endures with CD, film, Walk of Fame star". Las Vegas Review-Journal . April 29, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  10. Jones, Chad (April 27, 2007). "Wonder Woman sings!" . East Bay Times. Bay Area News Group. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  11. 1 2 Dodes, Rachel (March 31, 2018). "What Is Former Wonder Woman Lynda Carter Doing These Days?". The New York Times . Retrieved March 31, 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Lynda Jean Cordova". Wonderland. Retrieved March 23, 2007.
  13. "Intimate Portrait: Lynda Carter". September 24, 2011. Archived from the original on November 3, 2021 via YouTube.
  14. "tvacres.com Nakia". tvacres.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  15. Hoyer, Melissa (May 12, 2017). "Wonder Woman Lynda Carter morphs into Wonder Mum for Peter Alexander". News.com.au. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  16. 1 2 "Wonder Women: Gal Gadot's live-action predecessors, from Lynda to Dawn". GMA News Online. June 26, 2017.
  17. 1 2 "Intimate Portrait: Lynda Carter" . Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  18. "What people are saying..." The Tuscaloosa News. February 26, 1980.
  19. Boucher, Ian (2018). "Casting a Wider Lasso: An Analysis of the Cultural Dismissal of Wonder Woman Through Her 1975-1979 Television Series". Popular Culture Review. 29 (2): 151–191. doi:10.1002/j.2831-865X.2018.tb00237.x.
  20. "The enduring strength of Wonder Woman". www.cbsnews.com. March 26, 2017.
  21. 1 2 Marx, Barry, Cavalieri, Joey and Hill, Thomas ( w ),Petruccio, Steven ( a ),Marx, Barry ( ed )."Lynda Carter Wonder Woman Stars on TV"Fifty Who Made DC Great,p. 45(1985).DC Comics.
  22. "Product information page". Experiencethewonder.com. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  23. "DC Direct product page". DC Comics. Archived from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  24. "DC Direct product page". DC Comics. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  25. 1 2 Jensen, Erin. "Lynda Carter will give 'Wonder Woman' sequel a spin if it's 'a decent part'". USA Today.
  26. Sandwell, Ian (December 24, 2020). "Wonder Woman 1984 credits scene, explained". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  27. "Most beautiful woman in the world " BestOfBothWorldsAZ.com". Bestofbothworldsaz.com. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  28. Women Who Rate a 10. NBC Network. Air date: February 15, 1981
  29. Where There's Smoke: Sandra Brown, Lynda Carter: 9781558006454: Amazon.com: Books. ISBN   1-55800-645-1.
  30. Lens Express Chat: November 8, 1999; PlanetRx Chat: February 3, 2000
  31. "The British Theater Guide" . Retrieved May 12, 2006.
  32. "Chart Beat: The Black Eyed Peas, Lynda Carter, Paulina Rubio". Billboard. June 18, 2009. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  33. "Wonderful Woman: Lynda Carter's Bulletproof Life" . Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  34. Myers, Maddy (November 2, 2015). "Lynda Carter Sings the Blues in Fallout 4". The Mary Sue. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  35. Sarkar, Samit (November 2, 2015). "Fallout 4 includes five original songs by Lynda Carter, who also stars in the game". Polygon. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  36. "Facing the Music in Fallout 4". bethesda.net. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  37. Chism, Carlos (November 11, 2015). "Lynda Carter's Original Songs For Fallout 4 Now Available On Itunes". Gameranx. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  38. "Winner | National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Corporation". navgtr.org. March 21, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  39. "No Rules – EP by Jessica Carter Altman". January 10, 2020 via music.apple.com.
  40. Logan, Michael (October 14, 2013). "The Comics' Real Heroes". TV Guide . p. 27.
  41. 1 2 "Super News! Wonder Woman Named UN Honorary Ambassador for Empowerment of Women and Girls". EW.com. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  42. 1 2 "Wonder Woman Named the United Nations' Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls". Business Wire . October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  43. 1 2 Roberts, Elizabeth (December 13, 2016). "UN drops Wonder Woman as honorary ambassador". CNN. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  44. 1 2 Robinson, Will (October 10, 2016). "Supergirl first look: See Lynda Carter in season 2". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  45. "Michel Polnareff publie "Spèrme" : Révélations séminales dans son autobiographie". purepeople.com. February 9, 2016.
  46. "Michel Polnareff : les femmes de sa vie". TéléStar. December 5, 2016.
  47. 1 2 3 "At Home with Lynda Carter". "Celebrities at Home", HGTV. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  48. "Wonder Woman becomes a mom". The Globe & Mail. Toronto. January 16, 1988. p. C.12. ISSN   0319-0714. Accessed September 23, 2011.
  49. "Hurt in heaven with special jet". The Province. Vancouver, B.C.: CanWest Digital Media. October 10, 1990. p. 14. NEW WONDERBABY: Lynda Carter, who starred in the Wonder Woman TV series in the 1970s, gave birth Sunday to her second child, Jessica. Accessed September 23, 2011.
  50. Gilpin, Kenneth N. (August 15, 1993). "Altman Acquitted of Banking Fraud". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  51. Plunkett, Luke (February 4, 2021). "Zenimax Co-Founder & CEO Robert Altman Has Died". Kotaku . Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  52. Good, Owen S. (February 4, 2021). "Robert A. Altman, founder of Bethesda parent ZeniMax Media, dies at 73". Polygon . Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  53. Price, Bill (June 2, 2018). "Wonder Woman is a big Capitals fan, in the house for Game 3". NHL.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  54. "'Wonder Woman' Star Lynda Carter Inspired by Hillary Clinton for 'Supergirl' Presidential Role". Variety . September 27, 2016. Retrieved September 27, 2016.
  55. Niemietz, Brian (October 28, 2020). "Wonder Woman Lynda Carter spins for Biden and Harris". nydailynews.com. New York Daily News . Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  56. "USA Today article". USA Today. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  57. "Susan G. Komen article". Ohmygoff.tv. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  58. "Pro-Choice news article". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 25, 2004. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  59. "The Arizona Republic article". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  60. "Out Magazine Interview". Out Magazine. April 24, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  61. "Capital Pride News Release". Capitalpride.org. Archived from the original on March 15, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
  62. "Wonder Woman Lynda Carter: 'I'm an Alcoholic'". People . Retrieved July 5, 2008.
  63. "Lynda Carter Archives". Council on Recovery. October 28, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  64. Keays, Tami (June 29, 2017). "Celebrating 20 years of Sobriety, Lynda Carter Passes the Wonder Woman Torch to Newcomer Gal Gadot". SoberInfo. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  65. Roe, Michelle (July 1, 2014). "Palm Springs Celebrity Wonder Woman Lynda Carter". Palmspringslife.com. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  66. Sage, Alyssa (May 9, 2016). "Lynda Carter to Be Honored For Lifetime Achievement at Gracie Awards". Variety. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  67. Seikaly, Andrea (May 21, 2014). "Gracie Awards". Variety . Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  68. "Lynda Carter". Hollywood Walk of Fame. April 3, 2018. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  69. "Sor Juana Legacy Award: Lynda Carter". National Museum of Mexican Art, Pilsen, Chicago. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  70. "California Hall of Fame honors Lynda Carter, Megan Rapinoe, Linda Ronstadt". KCRA. December 14, 2022.
  71. Makuch, Eddie (January 23, 2014). "Elder Scrolls Online voice cast is seriously impressive". GameSpot . Retrieved January 29, 2014.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Miss World USA
1972
Succeeded by