Lynda Carter (born
July 24,
1951) is an
American actress and
singer. She is best known for the
Amazonian title role in the fantasy-adventure television 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 a former antiques dealer of Irish-American descent. Her mother, Juana Córdova, is a
Mexican American immigrant who previously worked in the telephone industry. Although Carter does not speak Spanish, she understands it well and is proud of her Mexican heritage.
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 in "B-movies," including her only nude appearances, which were in
Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw, released in 1976.
