About
"I knew people would recognize [Wonder Woman] in themselves. And that’s what I wanted. I wanted her to be open, vulnerable, but self-assured. And she was going to figure things out, fix things...as we all do. And that’s the part of her that we recognize."
In her two-hour interview, Lynda Carter talks about growing up in Phoenix, AZ and the influence of her parents, particularly her mother. She details how she began singing in bands before going on to participate in beauty pageants, and how she eventually ended up moving to Los Angeles. She touches on some early TV parts before landing the role for which she is best remembered, “Diana Prince/Wonder Woman” on the 1970s series Wonder Woman. For Wonder Woman, Carter shares stories about her famous costume and iconic spin transformation, as well as performing some of her own stunts. She then talks about starring in her own television variety specials as well as TV movies, and touches on some of her later guest appearances on shows including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Two and a Half Men, and Supergirl. She concludes by talking about her dedication to the causes about which she is passionate, giving advice to aspiring actors, and sharing how she would like to be remembered. Adrienne Faillace conducted the interview on June 6, 2025 in Potomac, MD.
Highlights
Lynda Carter on her Wonder Woman costume, and on how it was used to hide the mechanics of certain special effects
Lynda Carter on the Wonder Woman spin transformation
Lynda Carter on starring in her own television variety specials
Lynda Carter on how she began singing and touring in a band when she was a teenager
Lynda Carter on performing some of her own stunts on Wonder Woman
Lynda Carter on her dedication to supporting causes that are important to her
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On her childhood and the influence of her parents; on growing up in Phoenix, AZ and on how she began singing and touring in a band when she was a teenager
On her mother's support for her early music career, and on how she made her way to Los Angeles from Phoenix; on her participation in beauty pageants, including winning Miss World, and on how she got into acting; on her early television roles, and on Wonder Woman and other woman-centered shows of the 1970s
Chapter 2
On her vision for "Diana Prince" ("Wonder Woman"), and on whether she ever disagreed with the direction her character took on the series; on working with Lyle Waggoner as "Steve Trevor," and on pushing to have a female stunt person to double for her on the show; on stunts she performed herself on Wonder Woman
On her Wonder Woman costume, and on how it was used to hide the mechanics of certain special effects; on more details of her Wonder Woman costume, and on the "Wonder Woman" spin transformation; on her personal connection to the character of "Wonder Woman"
On the time jump between seasons one and two of Wonder Woman, and on the Wonder Woman movies starring Gal Godot; on how fans approach her about the character of "Wonder Woman"
On Wonder Woman ending "unceremoniously" after its third season, and on the show's legacy; on doing voice work for video games, and on starring in her own television variety specials; on appearing on The Muppet Show
Chapter 3
On television movies she appeared in, including The Love Goddess; on appearing on Partners in Crime with Loni Anderson, and on an odd incident that occurred on the set of The Love Goddess
On various other guest roles she's had over the years, including Hawkeye, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Two and a Half Men; on filming scenes with Patrick Duffy for the film Daddy
On appearing on Supergirl and working with Melissa Benoist; on how opportunities for women in the television industry have changed over time, and on advice for aspiring actors; on her dedication to supporting causes that are important to her, and on how she would like to be remembered
Shows
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Lynda Carter on her appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Muppet Show, The
Lynda Carter on getting to sing and dance on The Muppet Show
Partners in Crime
Lynda Carter on appearing on Partners in Crime with Loni Anderson
Supergirl
Lynda Carter on playing the president of the United States on Supergirl, and on working with star Melissa Benoist
Two and a Half Men
Lynda Carter on memorable kisses during her guest-starring appearance on Two and a Half Men
Wonder Woman
Lynda Carter on her vision for the character "Diana Prince" ("Wonder Woman") on Wonder Woman, and on whether she ever disagreed with the direction the character took on the series
Lynda Carter on working with Lyle Waggoner as "Steve Trevor" on Wonder Woman
Lynda Carter on pushing to have female stunt performers to double for her on Wonder Woman
Lynda Carter on performing some of her own stunts on Wonder Woman
Lynda Carter on her Wonder Woman costume
Lynda Carter on more details of her Wonder Woman costume
Lynda Carter on the Wonder Woman spin transformation
Lynda Carter on the time jump that occurred between the first and second seasons of Wonder Woman, and on the Wonder Woman movies starring Gal Godot
Lynda Carter on how Wonder Woman came to the end after its third season, and on the legacy of the show
Lynda Carter on Wonder Woman and the battle to get women-centered shows on the air in the 1970s
Topics
Advice
Lynda Carter on advice for aspiring actors
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Lynda Carter on how she began singing and touring in a band when she was a teenager
Fame and Celebrity
Lynda Carter on an odd incident that occurred on the set of The Love Goddess
Historic Events and Social Change
Lynda Carter on how opportunities for women in the television industry have changed over time
Lynda Carter on originally having a man perform her stunts on Wonder Woman and pushing to have a woman as a stunt double instead
Lynda Carter on Wonder Woman and the battle to get women-centered shows on the air in the 1970s
Pivotal Career Moments
Lynda Carter on how she began singing and touring in a band when she was a teenager
Pop Culture
Lynda Carter on an odd incident that occurred on the set of The Love Goddess
Lynda Carter on her Wonder Woman costume, and on how it was used to hide the mechanics of certain special effects
Lynda Carter on the Wonder Woman spin transformation
Representation on Television
Lynda Carter on how opportunities for women in the television industry have changed over time
Lynda Carter on originally having a man perform her stunts on Wonder Woman and pushing to have a woman as a stunt double instead
Lynda Carter on Wonder Woman and the battle to get women-centered shows on the air in the 1970s
Television Industry
Lynda Carter on advice for aspiring actors
Women
Lynda Carter on how opportunities for women in the television industry have changed over time
Lynda Carter on originally having a man perform her stunts on Wonder Woman and pushing to have a woman as a stunt double instead
Lynda Carter on Wonder Woman and the battle to get women-centered shows on the air in the 1970s
Professions
Actress
Lynda Carter on advice for aspiring actors
Lynda Carter on how she got into acting after being a musician and participating in beauty pageants
Performers
Lynda Carter on how she got into acting after being a musician and participating in beauty pageants
Genres
Adventure/Espionage Series
Lynda Carter on starring on Wonder Woman
Lynda Carter on Wonder Woman and other shows starring women in the 1970s
Comedy Series
Lynda Carter on her guest appearance on Two and a Half Men
Drama Series
Lynda Carter on her guest appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials
Lynda Carter on starring in her own television variety specials
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
Lynda Carter on starring in the 1983 television movie The Love Goddess, about the life of Rita Hayworth
People
Loni Anderson
Lynda Carter on appearing on Partners in Crime with Loni Anderson
Patrick Duffy
Lynda Carter on filming scenes with Patrick Duffy for the movie Daddy
Jeannie Epper
Lynda Carter on Jeannie Epper serving as her stunt double on Wonder Woman
Rita Hayworth
Lynda Carter on starring in the 1983 television movie The Love Goddess, about the life of Rita Hayworth
Lyle Waggoner
Lynda Carter on working with Lyle Waggoner as "Steve Trevor" on Wonder Woman