Lynda Carter Biography
Summary
"Lynda Carter" (born July 24, 1951) is an American actress. She is best known for the Amazonian title role in the fantasy-adventure TV series "Wonder Woman" which aired from 1975 to 1979.
Early life
Carter was born "Linda Jean Córdova Carter" in Phoenix, Arizona. Her father, Colby Carter is an Irish American, and her mother, Juana Córdova, is of Mexican and Spanish ancestry. Carter grew up an avid reader of the "Wonder Woman" comic books. She went to Globe High School in Globe, Arizona and Arcadia High School in Phoenix. She attended Arizona State University, but after being voted the 'most talented' student, she dropped out in order to pursue a career in music. She toured as a singer with several rock groups before returning to Arizona in 1972.
Career
Carter entered a local beauty contest and achieved her first national fame by winning Miss World USA in 1972 representing Arizona. As the United States entrant in the Miss World pageant she reached the semi-finals. After taking acting classes at several New York acting schools, she began making appearances on TV shows such as "Starsky and Hutch", "Cos" and "Nakia" and B-movies including "Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw" (1976).
Wonder Woman
Her acting career did not take off until she landed her starring role in the "Wonder Woman" television series. Her earnest performance endeared her to fans and critics and the series lasted for three seasons. Thirty years after first taking on the role, Carter continues to be closely identified with Wonder Woman, so much so that it has proved difficult for producers to find a suitable candidate to play the character in subsequent aborted productions (work on the most recent attempt was announced in 2005).
Other credits
Carter's other credits include the title role in a 1983 biopic of Rita Hayworth and a variety of television specials. She also starred in a few short-lived TV series, including "Partners in Crime" with Loni Anderson in 1984, and "Hawkeye" with Lee Horsley. During the late 1970s, she recorded the album "Portrait" and made numerous guest appearances on variety television programs in a musical capacity. She also sang two of her songs in the "Wonder Woman" episode 'Amazon Hot Wax.'
In 2001, Carter was cast in the independent comedy feature "Super Troopers" as Vermont Governor Jessman. The writer-stars of the film, the comedy troupe Broken Lizard with member Jay Chandrasekhar directing, had specifically sought Carter for the role, with plans to approach other television actresses of the 1970s had Carter declined. Carter had her first appearance in a major feature film in a number of years in the 2005 big-screen remake of "The Dukes of Hazzard", also directed by Chandrasekhar. She also played in the 2005 movie "Sky High" as Principal Powers, the head of a school for superheroes. The script allowed for Carter to poke fun at her most famous character when she states: 'What a waste. I can't do anything more to help you. I'm not Wonder Woman, y'know.' Lynda returned to the DC Comics' television world on the 2007 episode of "Smallville" titled 'Progeny' playing Chloe Sullivan's Kryptonite-empowered mother.
Carter has also done voiceover work for video games, performing voices for the Nord and Orsimer (Orc) females in two computer games from "The Elder Scrolls" series. These are "The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind", and "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion". These games were developed by Bethesda Softworks, of which her husband Robert Altman (not to be confused with the late Hollywood director) is Chairman and CEO.
From September 26, 2005 until November of that year, Carter played the role of Mama Morton in the West End London production of "Chicago". Her rendition of 'When You're Good to Mama' was officially released on the Chicago: 10th Anniversary Edition cd box set in October of 2006. Receiving positive response to the song's release, Lynda booked her own cabaret tour act. It was first scheduled in San Francisco at the York Hotel's Empire Plush Room from May 1 - 6, 2007 and proceeded to tour around the U.S. Lynda also marked July 17, 2007 as the date to record her second solo musical release.
Personal life
Carter has been married twice. Her first marriage was to her former agent Ron Samuels on May 28, 1977. They were divorced in 1982. Samuels was also agent to Charlie's Angel Jaclyn Smith (who attended the wedding) and Bionic Woman Lindsay Wagner. Carter later married attorney Robert Altman on January 29, 1984. Robert and Lynda have two children, James and Jessica Altman.
External links
(Fan Site)
Credit
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article about Lynda Carter.
