Full Name | Lynda Carter |
Age | 72 years old |
Birthday | July 24, 1951 |
Birth Sign | Leo |
Born | Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
Nationality | American |
Height | 5‘ 9" (1.75 m) |
Net Worth | $10 million |
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As a devoted Lynda Carter fan, I‘m thrilled to provide this in-depth introduction to the sensational star who brought the iconic Wonder Woman character to life in the groundbreaking 1970s TV series. Lynda Carter possessed the perfect combination of beauty, talent, strength and heart to portray Princess Diana, a role that she completely embodied. Nearly 50 years later, Carter remains the quintessential Wonder Woman whose enduring legacy continues impacting pop culture and inspiring generations of fans.
Humble Beginnings in Phoenix
On July 24, 1951, Lynda Carter was born in Phoenix, Arizona. She grew up with her parents Colby and Juanita, along with her brother and two sisters. As a young child, Carter immediately displayed a natural talent and passion for singing. She sang at her Catholic church‘s folk masses and even formed a band called Just Us with her cousins in high school, foreshadowing her future music career.
After being named her school‘s homecoming queen, Carter began entering local beauty pageants with encouragement from her mother. Her big breakthrough came in 1972 at age 21 when she won the Miss World USA competition. This prestigious pageant title officially launched Carter into the entertainment industry and public eye.
Becoming a Cultural Icon as Wonder Woman
Carter achieved international fame and her career-defining role when she was cast as Princess Diana/Wonder Woman in 1975. As quoted in her Biography profile, Carter described feeling destined to play the superhero, saying "I fell in love with her right away because the hype of women‘s lib was really big then."
The Wonder Woman TV series premiered in 1976 and ran for an impressive 3 seasons until 1979. Set during World War II, the show followed Amazon princess Diana as she fought evil while blending into American society as U.S. Army officer Diana Prince. Carter perfectly balanced Wonder Woman‘s strength, compassion, charm and sex appeal. Despite some early criticism over the show‘s feminism, it became wildly popular and turned Carter into a worldwide celebrity.
Carter‘s inspiring portrayal broke barriers as the first actress to play a female superhero lead on live-action television. Wonder Woman became a symbol of female empowerment and a role model for generations. The show‘s lasting popularity led to Carter reprising her signature role decades later in the CW series Supergirl, proving she is still the epitome of Wonder Woman today.
Displaying Her Multi-Faceted Talents and Versatility
While Carter is forever linked with Wonder Woman, she demonstrated amazing versatility throughout her prolific career across television, film and stage. Some of her notable acting credits include:
- Guest appearances on hit shows like Law and Order and Smallville
- Starring in TV movies and mini-series such as Rita Hayworth: The Love Goddess
- Roles in feature films ranging from The Dukes of Hazzard to Sky High
- Voicing animated characters in Oblivion, The Simpsons, and Disney‘s Bolt
Carter also exercised her impressive four-octave vocal range as a professional singer. She sang on two Wonder Woman soundtrack albums and performed in nightclub acts and musical theater productions. In 1978, Carter released a successful pop album Portrait which included Billboard Top 40 singles. She proved she could master any genre from pop to country to jazz.
Tireless Commitment to Humanitarian Causes
Beyond her artistic accomplishments, Carter has tirelessly devoted herself to activism and philanthropy over the decades. She has traveled globally to advocate for human rights protections, education access, female empowerment, LGBTQ+ equality, mental health resources, and more. According to Look to the Stars, Carter has supported over 30 charities and causes. Her humanitarian spirit makes her an inspirational role model on and off-screen.
Why Lynda Carter Has an Eternal Wonder Woman Legacy
Looking back at Lynda Carter‘s life reveals the unique combination of qualities that made her the perfect embodiment of Wonder Woman:
Trailblazer for Women – As the first actress cast as a female superhero lead, she pioneered new opportunities for women in entertainment and inspired female strength.
Cultural Icon – Carter‘s Wonder Woman became a symbol of progress and a pop culture phenomenon that still endures today.
Consummate Entertainer – With top-notch acting, singing, and performance skills, Carter is a phenomenally gifted entertainer.
Beauty Inside and Out – She remains stunning today and her inner beauty, grace and wisdom shine through.
Inspiring Humanitarian – Carter uses her platform to tirelessly help others and stand up for noble causes worldwide.
Powerful Feminist Voice – She broke barriers and glass ceilings for women‘s equality and empowerment.
Lynda Carter is a once-in-a-generation star who brought Wonder Woman to life and changed the landscape for women in media forever. She gave millions of fans an inspiring role model and her portrayal remains the definitive on-screen Wonder Woman performance nearly 50 years later. Carter is a sensational human being who will forever be our real-world Wonder Woman.