Lynda Carter

Lynda Carter (born Lynda Jean Carter on 24 July 1951) is an American actress, singer, and former beauty‑pageant titleholder best known for embodying the iconic superhero Wonder Woman in the 1975‑1979 television series. Born in Phoenix, Arizona to a multicultural family—her father of English‑Irish descent and her mother of Spanish‑French roots from Chihuahua, Mexico—Carter displayed performance talent early, appearing on a local talent show at five and joining several musical groups during her teens. After winning Miss World USA in 1972 and placing in the top 15 at Miss World the same year, she moved to New York to study acting, eventually landing guest spots on shows such as Starsky & Hutch and Cos before being cast as Diana Prince. When she secured the lead role, she famously had only $25 in the bank, yet her dedication and charismatic presence made the series a cultural touchstone, earning her a lifelong association with the Amazonian heroine and a place in DC’s “Fifty Who Made DC Great.” Beyond the cape, Carter cultivated a diverse career that spans music, film, television, and stage. She released the album Portrait in the late‑1970s, headlined her own musical specials, and appeared in comedies like Super Troopers and family films such as Sky High. Her voice work includes notable contributions to The Elder Scrolls video‑game series and the soundtrack of Fallout 4. In recent years she returned to the DC universe with a cameo in Wonder Woman 1984 and a recurring role as President Olivia Marsdin on Supergirl. A recipient of a Golden Palm Star, a Hollywood Walk‑of‑Fame star, and a Lifetime Achievement Gracie Award, Carter continues to champion women’s rights, LGBTQ + equality, and health causes, while performing jazz concerts with her All‑Star Band alongside her daughter, Jessica Altman.