Date of Birth
July 24, 1951 Birth Name
Linda Jean Cordova Carter Height
5' 9½" (1.77 m) Spouse
Ron Samuels 1977-1982 (divorced)
Robert Altman 1984 - Present
Career Overview
Lynda Carter began showing interest in the arts at a young age. According to the website Cult Sirens (2009), by as early as ten years of age, she was already singing and composing her own songs. She further developed her musical talent by participating in choirs and drama productions in High School. However, her career in the entertainment field truly began shortly after her graduation. At the age of 18 she attended the University of Arizona for one short semester. After being voted "most talented" by her peers, she left college to persue a career in the music industry. Carter joined a rock band, named Just Us, and toured clubs in Las Vegas and England (Lynda Carter, 2003).
After deciding that this lifestyle was not satisfying enough, Lynda returned to Arizona in 1972. Shortly Thereafter, a friend encouraged her to enroll in a beauty pagent. She won the title of Miss Phoenix at the age of 21. (Biography, 2009). Her beautiful and unique dark looks, a result of her combined Irish and Mexican heritage, coupled with her singing talent, won her the subsequent titles of Miss Arizona, Miss USA and finally Miss World 1972. The fame garnered by her reign opened up a new career path. Lynda's experience in the spotlight encouraged her to move to Hollywood and she began taking acting classes in 1974 (Wonder Woman, n.d.).
In a single year Lynda Carter went from being a beauty queen, to a television icon when she landed her signature role in the "Wonder Woman" series which aired for three seasons from 1975 - 1979. Carter, a beauty queen, with glamorous looks, and a nearly 6' statuesque figure (in her signature boots), was the Amazon personifited. The show was an instant hit and skyrocketed Carter to fame nearly overnight. However, after the series ended in 1979, Carter removed herself from the spotlight of Hollywood to start a family (Biography, 2009). Her fame from Wonder Woman propelled her through the 1980's as a television producer, performer, and celebrity spokesperson. She is most known for her work with Maybelline cosmetics and 1-800-Contacts (Lynda Carter, 2003).
Today, Carter has gone back to her roots as a singer. In 2005, she became a performer once again, starring as Velma Kelley in both the London and Broadway revivals of the muscial Chicago. Since then Carter has been performing on various stages, entertaining audiences with her vocal talents. Earlier this year, Carter released a CD, entitled, At Last (Kennedy, 2009).
Global Influence
Carter's Wonder Woman - a strong, problem solving, princess of the Amazons - and her alter ego, Diana Prince - an intellegent, savvy, and successful career woman - became a role model for a generation of young girls. Women were just starting to work their way into the more male dominated occupations, and Carter's character showed that a woman could be successful. While Carter played the subordinate of Steve Trevor (Lyle Waggoner) she often solved problems he could not solve. Showing that women in the workplace were invaluable even if they were subordinate employees. In addition, Wonder Woman was often forced to save Trevor from harm. Finally, Carter did many of her own stunts during the filming of Wonder Woman, which helped to promote her strong image and she eventually became an honorary member of the Stuntwomen's Association.
As a result of her Mexican heritage, Lynda was also a strong role model for the Latino community. In 1983 she was named "Hispanic Woman of the Year," by the Hispanic Women's Council of Los Angeles for her strength as both a businesswoman and a "woman of consciousness" (Meader, 2009). Her status as a woman consciousness was perpetuated by her squeaky clean lifestyle. As a starlett and beauty queen as well as television spokesperson, Lynda was vocal about the moral values she upheld as a result of her religious beliefs. She has also involved herself in a number of charities dealing with the health of women and children, one of the most well-known being the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research and Education (2009).
Most recently Carter's influence has been a result of her public struggle with alcoholism. A respected member of the television community and Washington society, it was difficult for Carter to admit publicly that she was an alcoholic. However, in 2008, after 10 years sober, she made the announcement in People Magazine. She is now looked to as a success story by women struggling with addition to alcohol (Davis, 2008).
Personal Influence
I can still remember the excitement I would feel on Fridays. As a little girl of only 4, I remember the anticipation of the Friday night television line-up: Wonder Woman followed by The Bionic Woman. I honestly can't remember loving anything more as a child than Lynda Carter. I was a little girl who wanted to be a superhero. I would tie my "blankie" around my neck and run around the house doing the "Wonder Woman Spin." I even dressed as Wonder Woman for halloween. She was my hero. I had Wonder Woman comic books, drinking glasses (which I still use today), and even Underoos. She was so much of an influence on me as a little girl, that everytime I see something having to do with Wonder Woman today it gives me fond memories of my happy childhood.
Quotes
Principal Powers in "Sky High"
"Wonder Woman struck a chord that no one expected."
(Considering the enduring popularity of the Wonder Woman TV series)
"I'd like to think I had something to do with it, but it's a phenomenom unto itself. And it's not too bad to be a sort of pop icon, you know? It's not too tough to handle."
(On hanging from the helicopter for an episode of Wonder Woman)
" The stunt girl was about to go under it and I said 'Oh, I can do this!' I ran under and they went up, and when the producers found out about it, they went ballistic."
"Mexican food is my weakness. Thank God I live in Washington where it's horrible. They put in some tomatoes and bell peppers and call it salsa!"
"I want to do everything right now! This very minute. I am impatient, but yes I have goals. To be a real well-respected actress whom people know they can rely on to do a good job... whether they like me as a person or not!"
Lynda Carter
Demographics
Date of Birth
July 24, 1951
Birth Name
Linda Jean Cordova Carter
Height
5' 9½" (1.77 m)
Spouse
Ron Samuels 1977-1982 (divorced)
Robert Altman 1984 - Present
Career Overview
Lynda Carter began showing interest in the arts at a young age. According to the website Cult Sirens (2009), by as early as ten years of age, she was already singing and composing her own songs. She further developed her musical talent by participating in choirs and drama productions in High School. However, her career in the entertainment field truly began shortly after her graduation. At the age of 18 she attended the University of Arizona for one short semester. After being voted "most talented" by her peers, she left college to persue a career in the music industry. Carter joined a rock band, named Just Us, and toured clubs in Las Vegas and England (Lynda Carter, 2003).
In a single year Lynda Carter went from being a beauty queen, to a television icon when she landed her signature role in the "Wonder Woman" series which aired for three seasons from 1975 - 1979. Carter, a beauty queen, with glamorous looks, and a nearly 6' statuesque figure (in her signature boots), was the Amazon personifited. The show was an instant hit and skyrocketed Carter to fame nearly overnight. However, after the series ended in 1979, Carter removed herself from the spotlight of Hollywood to start a family (Biography, 2009). Her fame from Wonder Woman propelled her through the 1980's as a television producer, performer, and celebrity spokesperson. She is most known for her work with Maybelline cosmetics and 1-800-Contacts (Lynda Carter, 2003).
Today, Carter has gone back to her roots as a singer. In 2005, she became a performer once again, starring as Velma Kelley in both the London and Broadway revivals of the muscial Chicago. Since then Carter has been performing on various stages, entertaining audiences with her vocal talents. Earlier this year, Carter released a CD, entitled, At Last (Kennedy, 2009).
Global Influence
Carter's Wonder Woman - a strong, problem solving, princess of the Amazons - and her alter ego, Diana Prince - an intellegent, savvy, and successful career woman - became a role model for a generation of young girls. Women were just starting to work their way into the more male dominated occupations, and Carter's character showed that a woman could be successful. While Carter played the subordinate of Steve Trevor (Lyle Waggoner) she often solved problems he could not solve. Showing that women in the workplace were invaluable even if they were subordinate employees. In addition, Wonder Woman was often forced to save Trevor from harm. Finally, Carter did many of her own stunts during the filming of Wonder Woman, which helped to promote her strong image and she eventually became an honorary member of the Stuntwomen's Association.
As a result of her Mexican heritage, Lynda was also a strong role model for the Latino community. In 1983 she was named "Hispanic Woman of the Year," by the Hispanic Women's Council of Los Angeles for her strength as both a businesswoman and a "woman of consciousness" (Meader, 2009). Her status as a woman consciousness was perpetuated by her squeaky clean lifestyle. As a starlett and beauty queen as well as television spokesperson, Lynda was vocal about the moral values she upheld as a result of her religious beliefs. She has also involved herself in a number of charities dealing with the health of women and children, one of the most well-known being the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research and Education (2009).
Most recently Carter's influence has been a result of her public struggle with alcoholism. A respected member of the television community and Washington society, it was difficult for Carter to admit publicly that she was an alcoholic. However, in 2008, after 10 years sober, she made the announcement in People Magazine. She is now looked to as a success story by women struggling with addition to alcohol (Davis, 2008).
Personal Influence
I can still remember the excitement I would feel on Fridays. As a little girl of only 4, I remember the anticipation of the Friday night television line-up: Wonder Woman followed by The Bionic Woman. I honestly can't remember loving anything more as a child than Lynda Carter. I was a little girl who wanted to be a superhero. I would tie my "blankie" around my neck and run around the house doing the "Wonder Woman Spin." I even dressed as Wonder Woman for halloween. She was my hero. I had Wonder Woman comic books, drinking glasses (which I still use today), and even Underoos. She was so much of an influence on me as a little girl, that everytime I see something having to do with Wonder Woman today it gives me fond memories of my happy childhood.
Quotes
(Considering the enduring popularity of the Wonder Woman TV series)
"I'd like to think I had something to do with it, but it's a phenomenom unto itself. And it's not too bad to be a sort of pop icon, you know? It's not too tough to handle."
(On hanging from the helicopter for an episode of Wonder Woman)
" The stunt girl was about to go under it and I said 'Oh, I can do this!' I ran under and they went up, and when the producers found out about it, they went ballistic."
"Mexican food is my weakness. Thank God I live in Washington where it's horrible. They put in some tomatoes and bell peppers and call it salsa!"
"I want to do everything right now! This very minute. I am impatient, but yes I have goals. To be a real well-respected actress whom people know they can rely on to do a good job... whether they like me as a person or not!"
Sources
Biography Lynda Carter. (2009). The biography channel. Retrieved from http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_story/1035:976/1/Lynda_Carter.htmDavis, C. (July 04, 2008). Wonder woman lynda carter: 'I'm an alcoholic'. People Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20210555,00.html
Lynda Carter. (2003). Cult sirens. Retrieved from http://www.cultsirens.com/carter/carter.htm
Meader, M. (2009). Wonder woman. Wonderland: The ultimate lynda carter site. Retrieved from http://www.wonderland-site.com/
Wonder Woman. (n.d.). The internet movie database. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074074/