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Lyle Wesley Waggoner[1] (/ˈwæɡnər/ WAG-nər; April 13, 1935 – March 17, 2020)[2] was an American actor, sculptor, presenter, travel trailer salesman and model, known for his work on The Carol Burnett Show from 1967 to 1974 and for playing the role of Steve Trevor and Steve Trevor Jr. in Wonder Woman from 1975 to 1979.[2] In his later career he founded a company, Star Waggons, which rented luxury trailers to studios.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Waggoner was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on April 13, 1935, the son of Myron and Marie (Isern) Waggoner, and spent part of his childhood in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.[1][3] On an episode of The Carol Burnett Show, Waggoner stated he had three sisters and one brother. In 1953, he graduated from Kirkwood High School in Kirkwood, Missouri, and then studied briefly at Washington University in St. Louis. He then joined the United States Army, serving two years in West Germany as a radio operator.[4]

Following his military discharge, Waggoner studied mechanical engineering in the junior executive program at the General Motors Institute of Technology. He then sold encyclopedias as a door-to-door salesman.[5] He made his acting debut as a muscle man in a Kansas City production of Li'l Abner, after which he created a sales promotion organization that enabled him to make enough money to finance a trip to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career.[4]

Career

[edit]

By the mid-1960s, Waggoner was appearing regularly in television and films, including in an episode of Gunsmoke (“The Wishbone” in 1966). He was a finalist for the title role in the TV series version of Batman, but lost the role to Adam West.[5]

In 1967, he appeared in Catalina Caper (with Tommy Kirk, a former child actor trying to restart his career as a young adult), a film which would eventually be lampooned by Mystery Science Theater 3000. He also had a minor guest-starring role in the season-three episode "Deadliest of the Species" of the TV series Lost in Space.[6]

Left: Waggoner and other Carol Burnett Show cast members in 1967 (clockwise from bottom): Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, and Waggoner (right: the 1977 cast, with Tim Conway)

Also in 1967, Waggoner began a seven-year stint on The Carol Burnett Show, a comedy sketch and variety show, on which he appeared as an announcer and performer.[2] In 1973, Waggoner posed semi-nude for a Playgirl centerfold. Waggoner left The Carol Burnett Show in 1974 in the hopes of advancing his career as a lead actor. His spot on the show was filled by frequent guest star Tim Conway (and his role as announcer by Ernie Anderson). He later appeared on some of the show's reunion specials.

In 1976, Waggoner was appointed "mayor" of Encino, California, by the local chamber of commerce. The "mayor" is not an actual government official as Encino is not an independent town but rather part of the city of Los Angeles; the post is an honorary "goodwill ambassador" position. In addition to Waggoner, other holders of the title have included Steve Allen, Mike Connors, Fred Travalena, Ronnie Schell, and Cesare Danova.[7]

A year after leaving Carol Burnett, Waggoner landed the role of Steve Trevor for the pilot and first season of the television series Wonder Woman starring Lynda Carter.[5] The series was initially set in World War II but when the subsequent two seasons advanced the timeline to the 1970s, Waggoner played Steve Trevor, Jr.[5]

Waggoner also appeared in several TV movies and minor motion pictures during the 1970s and 1980s, often cast for "hunk" appeal. He made guest appearances on numerous television series including Charlie's Angels, The San Pedro Beach Bums, Happy Days, Mork & Mindy, The Golden Girls, Ellen, and most recently The War at Home. Waggoner also played at least three roles on The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and Murder, She Wrote throughout their respective runs.

In 1979, while working on Wonder Woman, Waggoner discovered that the motorhome he was using during the production was rented by the studio from a nearby resident. Waggoner soon bought a fleet of motor homes at $50,000 apiece, renting them out to Hollywood productions for $400-$500 per week. Soon after he founded Star Waggons, a company that leased customized location trailers for use by the entertainment industry. He also started Zio Studio Services, the rental arm of Star Waggons. On September 1, 2021, Star Waggons and Zio Studio Services were sold to Hudson Pacific Properties for $222 million. Waggoner's sons, Jason and Beau, will continue to run these businesses for Hudson Pacific Properties.[8][9][10][11] Waggoner retired from full-time acting to run Star Waggons, but made occasional appearances, often parodying his earlier image (The Naked Truth, That '70s Show, and Return to the Batcave).

In 1990, Waggoner co-produced and appeared in a consumer-product show called Consumer America with co-host Shawn Bruner. The series featured novel national products from self-help to home goods and lasted for about two seasons.

In 1993, Waggoner was the host of an infomercial, "Let's Talk With Lyle Waggoner", which advertised "Y-Bron", supposedly a natural product that would cure male impotence.[12] The Scottsdale, Arizona-based Twin Star was later fined $1.5 million for unsubstantiated claims about Y-Bron.[13][14][15][16]

Personal life

[edit]

Waggoner was married to Sharon Kennedy, an actress, financial consultant, and realtor.[1] They married in 1961 and had two sons.[11] He resided near Jackson, Wyoming, where he was a sculptor.[17] His works can be seen at galleries in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Lander, Wyoming.

Death

[edit]

Waggoner died in his home in the Los Angeles area at the age of 84 on March 17, 2020, from cancer.[18][19][20][2][5][6] His memorial services were held at Bel-Air Bay Club in Pacific Palisades, California and Jackson, Wyoming's George Washington Memorial Park.[21]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1966 Swamp Country Deputy Mel
1967 Catalina Caper Angelo Alternate title: Never Steal Anything Wet
1967 Journey to the Center of Time Alien (as Lyle Waggner)
1972 Love Me Deadly Alex Martin
1978 Zero to Sixty Gay Bar Bartender
1984 Surf II Chief Boyardie
1989 Murder Weapon Dr. Randolph
1989 Danger USA Ben Alternate title: Mind Trap
1990 Gypsy Angels Preacher
1990 The Girl I Want Coach
1990 Dream a Little Evil Death Direct-to-video film
1991 Wizards of the Demon Sword Lord Khoura
1991 Dead Women in Lingerie Daddy

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1966 Gunsmoke Aikens Episode: "Wishbone"
1967 Lost in Space Mechanical Man Episode: "Deadliest of the Species"
1967–1974 The Carol Burnett Show Various Characters Main cast (182 episodes)
1969 The Governor & J.J. Garrett Spaulding Episode: "Romeo and J.J."
1972 Once Upon a Mattress Sir Studley TV movie
1973 Marcus Welby, M.D. Eric Lundgren Episode: "The Day After Forever"
1973 The Barbara Eden Show Barry Michaels TV pilot
1973 Letters from Three Lovers Sam TV movie
1975 The New Original Wonder Woman Major Steve Trevor TV movie
1976 Maude Jim Episode: "The Case of the Broken Punch Bowl"
1976–1979 Wonder Woman / The New Adventures of Wonder Woman Major Steve Trevor (1976–77)
Colonel Steve Trevor Jr. (1977–79)		 Main cast (59 episodes)
1977 The Love Boat II Roger TV movie
1977 The San Pedro Beach Bums Jason Episode: "Love Boat Bums: The Bums Take a Cruise"
1978 Flying High Gavin Episode: "Fun Flight"
1979 The Love Boat Lance Wilson Episode: "Second Time Around"
1979 Supertrain Peter Sebastian Episode: "A Very Formal Heist"
1979 Time Express David Lane Episode: "The Copy-Writer/The Figure Skater"
1979 The Love Boat Jay Cavanaugh Episode: "The Scoop"
1980 The Gossip Columnist Terry Anderson TV movie
1980 The Great American Traffic Jam Wilbur Stokes TV movie
1980 Happy Days Bobby Burns Episode: "Dreams Can Come True"
1980 Fantasy Island Monty Episode: "Gigolo"
1980 Charlie's Angels Jack Barrows Episode: "Island Angels"
1981 Bulba Hampton Fraser TV pilot
1981 Mork & Mindy Xerko Episode: "There's a New Mork in Town"
1981 Fantasy Island Gilberto DeVincenzo Episode: "The Perfect Husband"
1982 The Ugily Family Kenny Bing TV pilot
1982 The Love Boat Dr. Tucker Martin Episode: "A Dress to Remember"
1982 Romance Theatre Jeremy Episodes: "The Simple Truth" (Parts 1–5)
1983 Fantasy Island Al Episode: "No Friends Like Old Friends"
1983 Gun Shy The Masked Stranger Episode: "What Do You Mean 'We' Amigo?"
1984 Happy Days Frederick Hamilton Episode: "Like Mother, Like Daughter"
1984 Murder, She Wrote Marty Strindberg Episode: "Hooray for Homicide"
1985 The Great American Strip-off Himself - Host
1985 The Female Impersonator of the Year Pageant Himself, co-host TV special
1986 Hardcastle and McCormick Dex Falcon Episode: "If You Could See What I See"
1986 Simon & Simon Don Manning Episode: "The Last Big Break"
1986 The New Mike Hammer Leo Raffle Episode: "Requiem for Billy"
1987 It's a Living Marlon Brando / Hector Rodriquez Episode: "Her Back to the Future"
1990 The Golden Girls Himself Episode: "Mrs. George Devereaux"
1991 Murder, She Wrote Vic DeMarco Episode: "Where Have You Gone, Billy Boy?"
1993 Murder, She Wrote Ben Wright Episode: "The Big Kill"
1993 Daddy Dearest Hank Episode: "Thanks, But No Thanks"
1995 Burke's Law Reece Robertson Episode: "Who Killed Mr. Game Show?"
1995 Cybill Himself Episode: "The Cheese Stands Alone"
1996 Ellen Vic Episode: "Not So Great Expectations"
1997 Pauly Master of Ceremonies Episode: "Life's a Drag"
1998 Alright Already Himself Episode: "Again with the Satellite Dish"
1998 The Naked Truth Himself Episode: "Hooked on Heroine"
1999 Love Boat: The Next Wave Tom Brooks Episode: "Three Stages of Love"
1999 That '70s Show Himself Episode: "Red's Last Day"
2003 Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt Himself - Narrator TV movie
2003 Living Straight Robert Cord TV movie
2005 The War at Home Jack Episode: "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do", (final appearance)

Theatre

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1956 Li'l Abner Muscle Man [1][4]
1970–1971 Boeing, Boeing Bernard [1][22]
1973 Teahouse of the August Moon Performer [1]
1973 Born Yesterday Paul Verrall [1][23]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lyle Waggoner

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Lyle Waggoner (April 13, 1935 – March 17, 2020) was an American actor, model, and entrepreneur best known for his work as the announcer and comic performer on the sketch comedy series The Carol Burnett Show from 1967 to 1974 and as Colonel Steve Trevor in the superhero television series Wonder Woman from 1975 to 1979.[1][2][3] Born Lyle Wesley Waggoner in Kansas City, Kansas, he was raised in the St. Louis area of Missouri, where he graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1953 after excelling in wrestling and high jumping.[3][4] He briefly attended Washington University in St. Louis before enlisting in the U.S. Army, after which he pursued acting by moving to Los Angeles and taking on various jobs, including as a door-to-door salesman.[3][4] Waggoner's breakthrough came with The Carol Burnett Show, where his suave baritone voice, good looks, and self-deprecating humor made him a staple alongside stars like Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman; Burnett later described him as "funny and didn’t take himself seriously."[1] He gained further prominence as the dashing military officer Steve Trevor opposite Lynda Carter's Wonder Woman, appearing in the role across 59 episodes, and became the first male centerfold in Playgirl magazine in 1973.[2][3][5] Throughout his career, he guest-starred on numerous shows including Gunsmoke, Lost in Space, The Golden Girls, and Murder, She Wrote, while also appearing in films like Surf II (1984) and voicing characters in animated series.[2] In his later years, Waggoner transitioned to business, founding Star Waggons in the late 1970s, a company that leased customized production trailers to the entertainment industry and grew into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.[2] He was married to Sharon Kennedy from 1961 until his death, and they had two sons, Jason and Beau, along with four grandchildren.[2][3] Waggoner died of cancer at his home in Westlake Village, California, at the age of 84.[1][2][3]

Early life

Upbringing and family

Lyle Wesley Waggoner was born on April 13, 1935, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Myron Wesley Waggoner, a customer relations supervisor for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, and Marie Isern Waggoner.[6][7][8] The family resided in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, during his early childhood, where Waggoner spent his formative years before relocating to the St. Louis area.[9][10] Raised in Kirkwood, a suburb of St. Louis, Waggoner attended local schools and developed an interest in athletics, becoming a state high school wrestling champion and excelling in high jumping.[11][12] He graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1953.[11][12]

Education and military service

After graduating from high school in Kirkwood, Missouri, Waggoner briefly attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he began studies in mechanical engineering.[3][12] He left after one semester to enlist in the United States Army.[11] Waggoner served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 as a radio operator in the Signal Corps, stationed in West Germany.[11][13] Following his discharge, he enrolled in the junior executive program at the General Motors Institute of Technology to continue his mechanical engineering education.[11][14] While pursuing engineering and working as a door-to-door salesman, Waggoner discovered his interest in entertainment through his stage debut as a muscle man in a Kansas City production of Li'l Abner around 1956.[3][11] This experience sparked a conflict between his practical engineering aspirations and a growing passion for performing, leading him to relocate to Los Angeles to test opportunities in acting while maintaining his technical training as a potential fallback.[1][12]

Professional career

Modeling and early roles

After completing his U.S. Army service, Lyle Waggoner moved to Los Angeles in the late 1950s to pursue a career in entertainment, drawing on the discipline he had gained during his military tenure to navigate the competitive industry.[10] Waggoner entered the field through modeling in the early 1960s, where his imposing 6-foot-3.5-inch frame and athletic physique proved advantageous for print and commercial work in various publications, including becoming the first male centerfold in Playgirl magazine in 1973.[15][10][4] As he transitioned to acting, Waggoner faced significant challenges as a struggling performer in New York and Los Angeles, supplementing his income with odd jobs such as door-to-door salesmanship to support his ambitions.[10][4][16] His initial forays into television came via guest appearances on popular series, including a role on The Donna Reed Show in 1960, which provided early exposure and honed his on-screen presence.[15][10][17] Waggoner's early film roles included appearances in Women of the Prehistoric Planet and Swamp Country (both 1966), followed by the low-budget beach comedy The Catalina Caper in 1967, where he portrayed the character Angelo in a story involving teenagers thwarting art thieves on Catalina Island.[18][15]

Television highlights

Waggoner first achieved widespread television recognition as a cast member on The Carol Burnett Show from 1967 to 1974, where he began as the announcer but quickly became a key sketch performer known for his charismatic presence and comedic flair.[2] His role involved frequent collaborations with Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, and Vicki Lawrence in memorable sketches that parodied everyday situations, celebrities, and classic films, often leveraging his handsome features for humorous effect.[3] These performances helped establish Waggoner as a versatile supporting player in live variety television during the late 1960s and early 1970s.[19] Following his departure from The Carol Burnett Show, Waggoner transitioned to leading dramatic roles, most notably portraying Colonel Steve Trevor on Wonder Woman from 1975 to 1979.[2] In the series, he appeared in 58 episodes as the heroic military officer and ally to Lynda Carter's Diana Prince, embodying the supportive yet dashing counterpart in the show's blend of action, adventure, and light romance. This role solidified his image as a heroic figure on screen, spanning both the 1940s-set pilot and the modern-era seasons.[20] Waggoner continued to appear as a guest star on numerous television series through the 1970s and 1990s, including episodes of Gunsmoke, The Love Boat, and Murder, She Wrote, where he often played charming or authoritative characters that echoed his earlier personas.[1] These appearances kept him visible in episodic television, showcasing his range beyond regular series commitments.[21] In the 1990s, Waggoner hosted infomercials, including the program Let's Talk with Lyle Waggoner, which promoted Y-Bron as a natural remedy for non-organic impotence.[22] The Federal Trade Commission investigated the producer, Twin Star Productions, for deceptive advertising claims about the product's efficacy, leading to a consent agreement and a $1.5 million refund to affected consumers in 1990.[23]

Film and theatre work

Waggoner's early stage work included a debut as a muscle man in a local Kansas City production of the musical Li'l Abner in the mid-1950s, marking his initial foray into professional acting.[3] Later, he appeared in the comedic farce Boeing, Boeing, performing the role of Bernard during national tours in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as well as regional productions throughout the 1980s.[24] These theatre experiences honed his skills in physical comedy and timing, which he later applied to on-screen performances. In film, Waggoner took on supporting roles that often leaned into humor or authority figures, beginning with the thriller Love Me Deadly (1972), where he portrayed a key character amid a story of psychological turmoil.[3] He followed with a comedic turn as the no-nonsense police chief in the surf parody Surf II (1984), contributing to the film's satirical take on teen beach movies.[3] His later film work included the fantasy adventure Wizards of the Demon Sword (1991), playing the villainous Khoura in a low-budget sword-and-sorcery tale.[3] Despite his television prominence opening doors to cinema, Waggoner's film output remained sparse, with typecasting as a handsome supporting player limiting him to fewer than a dozen features over four decades, often in genre or comedic fare rather than leading dramatic roles.[1]

Business ventures

Star Waggons

In 1979, Lyle Waggoner founded Star Waggons, a company specializing in the rental of customized luxury trailers, including mobile dressing rooms and production vehicles, to Hollywood film and television studios.[25] Inspired by his own experiences with on-set accommodations during his acting career, Waggoner leveraged his industry connections to secure initial clients, drawing on relationships built from roles in major productions.[26] Under Waggoner's hands-on leadership as owner, Star Waggons experienced significant growth, expanding its fleet to nearly 700 custom-built trailers and establishing operations in key production hubs such as Atlanta, Vancouver, and Albuquerque.[25] The company became a dominant provider, including feature films and episodic television from clients like Columbia Pictures and Warner Bros.[27][26] Waggoner's direct involvement ensured high-quality, tailored services that catered to the needs of actors, makeup artists, and production crews on location shoots. Following Waggoner's death in 2020, Star Waggons was sold in 2021 to Hudson Pacific Properties as part of a $222 million acquisition that also included Zio Studio Services, marking a major posthumous milestone for the business he built.[28] This transaction highlighted the enduring value of the company within the entertainment industry's logistics sector, where it continued to support high-profile productions. In May 2025, Quixote Studios revived the Star Waggons brand with new luxury cast trailer models featuring electric and solar-powered designs.[29]

Other professional activities

In addition to his acting and primary business endeavors, Waggoner pursued a career as a sculptor, specializing in bronze works that captured western and wildlife themes. After relocating to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in the late 1990s, he immersed himself in this artistic outlet, creating pieces such as Gettin'n Molly's Pants and Harriet & Her Lariat, which depicted elegant, dynamic scenes of ranch life and animals. His sculptures were exhibited at The West Lives On Gallery in Jackson, where they remain available, and several were incorporated into the Wort Hotel's art collection, including Anita Ride and Lazy Susan. These works showcased his talent for blending classical form with regional motifs, earning local recognition in Wyoming's art community.[30][31][32] Waggoner also worked as a salesman and presenter early in his career, including selling travel trailers in the 1960s before his television breakthrough. Later, he hosted infomercials, most notably Let's Talk With Lyle Waggoner in 1993, promoting Y-Bron as a natural remedy for male impotence. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigated the campaign for unsubstantiated claims, prohibiting assertions that Y-Bron could relieve, cure, or prevent impotence or enhance sexual drive. The Scottsdale-based company behind the product, Twin Star, faced regulatory action, ultimately agreeing to a $1.5 million settlement for deceptive advertising practices. This episode highlighted the challenges of celebrity endorsements in the 1990s, where regulatory scrutiny intensified on health product claims.[33] Beyond commercial ventures, Waggoner engaged in philanthropy and public speaking, drawing on his entertainment experiences to support causes. He organized nationwide charity events, including appearances at radio stations like KFIV in Modesto, California, to raise funds for community initiatives. In Jackson Hole after 1999, he and his wife actively participated in local charities and social events, contributing to the area's philanthropic scene. Earlier, he supported organizations such as the Los Angeles Free Clinic and the Children's Burn Foundation, often attending high-profile fundraisers like celebrity car shows that raised over $200,000 for medical causes. Through these efforts, Waggoner shared insights from his Hollywood career in talks and events, emphasizing perseverance and industry dynamics.[34][32][35][14]

Personal life

Marriage and family

Lyle Waggoner married actress, financial consultant, and realtor Sharon Kennedy on September 17, 1960. The couple shared a long and stable marriage that lasted nearly 60 years until Waggoner's death in 2020, standing in notable contrast to the transient relationships often associated with Hollywood's show business lifestyle.[3][36] Waggoner and Kennedy had two sons, Jason and Beau, born May 14, 1971. The family navigated the demands of Waggoner's acting career by emphasizing work-life balance, with Kennedy offering steadfast support as he transitioned from on-screen roles to founding and running Star Waggons in 1979, a venture that provided more flexible family time.[37][38][26] Both sons became peripherally involved in entertainment-related business; Jason and Beau later assumed leadership roles at Star Waggons, ensuring its continuation as a key supplier of production trailers to the industry. Waggoner had no prior marriages, underscoring the enduring partnership with Kennedy as a cornerstone of his personal life.[37][1]

Interests and residences

Waggoner maintained his primary residence in the Los Angeles area, including a home in Thousand Oaks, California, where he spent much of his later life.[39] In the early 2000s, he and his wife Sharon acquired approximately 175 acres near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, establishing a secondary ranch that served as a private retreat from the demands of Hollywood.[40] The couple frequently escaped to this property, using it for family vacations amid the natural surroundings of the Teton region.[32] Beyond his acting career, Waggoner developed a deep interest in sculpting, which he pursued as a personal artistic endeavor in Jackson Hole.[30] Over many years, he created bronze sculptures noted for their elegance and humor, often channeling his creative energies into works that captured personal and thematic expressions rather than commercial output.[30] This hobby provided a fulfilling contrast to his professional life, allowing him to explore artistry on his own terms. The Wyoming ranch also facilitated Waggoner's enthusiasm for outdoor pursuits, particularly horseback riding, which became a daily activity for him and Sharon.[41] They acquired several performance horses, including geldings purchased in 2013 and 2014, praising their suitability for regular trail rides in the Jackson Hole area and noting how these animals enhanced their enjoyment of the rural landscape.[41] This lifestyle shift from the urban pace of Los Angeles to Wyoming's open spaces underscored Waggoner's appreciation for nature and a quieter existence in his later years.

Death and legacy

Final years and death

In the late 1990s, Lyle Waggoner largely retired from acting to concentrate on his business interests and family life, though he made occasional onscreen appearances, including a guest role in the 2005 sitcom The War at Home and a 2017 CBS special marking the 50th anniversary of The Carol Burnett Show.[2] Waggoner was diagnosed with cancer, which he battled for several months before his death on March 17, 2020, at the age of 84 in his home in Westlake Village, California.[1][2] He passed away peacefully with his wife of 60 years, Sharon, by his side.[2] A private funeral service was held for family and close friends, with memorial services planned in Los Angeles and Jackson, Wyoming; Waggoner was cremated, and his ashes were given to family.[2][42] In a family statement, his loved ones described him as a "loving husband, father, grandfather, entrepreneur, and actor" who "knew how to 'make artists happy,'" emphasizing his devotion as a family man alongside his professional legacy.[2]

Cultural impact and posthumous recognition

Lyle Waggoner achieved iconic status as a 1970s television heartthrob, embodying the archetype of the handsome, charismatic sidekick in both comedic sketches and superhero narratives. His role as the straight man opposite Carol Burnett's ensemble from 1967 to 1974 exemplified the reliable, attractive foil in variety show humor, while his portrayal of Colonel Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman (1975–1979) alongside Lynda Carter reinforced the dashing military ally in action-adventure series.[1][3] Following his death on March 17, 2020, Waggoner received heartfelt tributes from co-stars, with Lynda Carter describing him on Instagram as a "wonderful human" and "pure joy" to work with, highlighting their on-screen chemistry. Carol Burnett similarly praised him as "funny, kind and multi-talented," crediting his contributions to the enduring appeal of The Carol Burnett Show. His passing garnered widespread media coverage, including an obituary in The New York Times that underscored his comedic legacy and good looks as key to his career.[43][44][1] Waggoner's business legacy extended posthumously through Star Waggons, the custom trailer company he founded in 1979, which was sold in September 2021 to Hudson Pacific Properties for $222 million as part of a larger acquisition of studio services. This transaction highlighted the company's growth into a key provider of production vehicles for the entertainment industry, reflecting Waggoner's entrepreneurial impact beyond acting.[28][27] Additionally, Waggoner's sculptures, created during his time as a resident artist in Jackson, Wyoming, continue to be featured in galleries and sold posthumously, extending his creative legacy beyond acting.[30] Waggoner garnered no major industry awards during his lifetime, yet he maintained a dedicated cult following fueled by syndicated reruns of Wonder Woman and The Carol Burnett Show, which continue to air on networks like MeTV and stream on platforms, preserving his charm for new generations. His family has played a role in upholding this legacy through involvement in the business sale and public remembrances.[45][46]

Filmography

Film roles

Waggoner's film roles, presented chronologically, include the following:
  • Women of the Prehistoric Planet (1966) as Lt. Red Bradley[47]
  • Swamp Country (1966) as Deputy Mel[48]
  • The Catalina Caper (1967) as Angelo[18]
  • Journey to the Center of Time (1967) as Alien
  • Love Me Deadly (1972) as Alex Martin[49]
  • Letters from Three Lovers (1973) as Sam (made-for-TV movie)
  • The New Original Wonder Woman (1975) as Major Steve Trevor (made-for-TV movie)
  • The Love Boat II (1977) as Roger (made-for-TV movie)
  • Zero to Sixty (1978) as Gay Bar Bartender
  • Surf II (1984) as Chief Boyardie[50]
  • Murder Weapon (1989) as Dr. Randolph
  • Gypsy Angels (1990) as Preacher[51]
  • The Girl I Want (1990) as Coach
  • Dream a Little Evil (1990) as Death
  • Dead Women in Lingerie (1991) as Daddy
  • Mind Trap (1991) as Ben
  • Wizards of the Demon Sword (1991) as Lord Khoura[52]
  • Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt (2003) as Narrator/Lyle Waggoner (cameo)

Television roles

Waggoner's television career began with guest appearances in the mid-1960s, transitioning to prominent regular roles in variety and action series during the late 1960s and 1970s.[15] His breakthrough came as a regular cast member and announcer on The Carol Burnett Show from 1967 to 1974, where he appeared in sketches as various characters across the first seven seasons, totaling 182 episodes.[53] Following his departure from the variety show, Waggoner starred as Major Steve Trevor in the 1975 pilot The New Original Wonder Woman and continued in the role—evolving to Colonel Steve Trevor Jr. in later seasons—on Wonder Woman (also titled The New Adventures of Wonder Woman) from 1975 to 1979, appearing in 58 of the series' 59 episodes.[54] In 1969, he hosted the syndicated game show It's Your Bet, serving as the emcee for its single season of 65 episodes.[10] Waggoner's later career featured numerous guest spots on popular series, often playing charming or authoritative figures. Notable appearances include:
  • Gunsmoke (1966): Aikens, in the episode "Wishbone."[55]
  • Lost in Space (1967): Mechanical Man 1, in the episode "Deadliest of the Species."[56]
  • The Love Boat (1978–1986): Multiple roles across four episodes, including Lance Wilson (1979), Bart St. James (1980), and others as cruise passengers or crew associates.[57][58][59]
  • Murder, She Wrote (1984–1993): Roles in three episodes, including Marty Strindberg (1984, "Hooray for Homicide"), Vic DeMarco (1991, "Where Have You Gone, Billy Boy?"), and Barry Barnes (1993, "The Big Kill").[60][61][62]
  • Additional guest roles encompassed Charlie's Angels (1980, as Jack Barrows in "Island Angels"), Fantasy Island (1980, as Monty in "With Affection, Jack the Ripper/Gigolo"; 1981, as Gilbert in "The Perfect Husband/Volcano"), The Golden Girls (1990, as Lyle Waggoner in "Mrs. George Devereaux"), and Ellen (1996, as Vic in "Not So Great Expectations").[63][64][65][66][67]
These credits highlight Waggoner's versatility in comedy, drama, and lighthearted anthology formats throughout his five-decade career.[21]

References

  1. Lyle Waggoner, a TV Star as Actor and Announcer, Dies at 84
  2. Lyle Waggoner Dead: 'Carol Burnett Show' & 'Wonder Woman' Star ...
  3. Lyle Waggoner Dead: 'Carol Burnett Show,' 'Wonder Woman' Actor ...
  4. Lyle Waggoner, rugged straight man on 'The Carol Burnett Show ...
  5. Myron Wesley Waggoner (1904-1979) - Find a Grave Memorial
  6. Family tree of Lyle WAGGONER - Geneastar
  7. Lyle Wesley Waggoner (1935–2020) - Ancestors Family Search
  8. Famous - Excelsior Springs Museum & Archives
  9. Lyle Waggoner - Biography - IMDb
  10. Lyle Waggoner Biography - The Famous People
  11. Actor Lyle Waggoner Was Kirkwood High Grad
  12. Lyle Waggoner Facts for Kids
  13. Lyle Waggoner Net Worth
  14. Lyle Waggoner - IMDb
  15. Lyle Wagoner was more than a pretty face | Geeks - Vocal Media
  16. Lyle Waggoner | thewritelife61
  17. Catalina Caper (1967) - IMDb
  18. Lyle Waggoner, known for The Carol Burnett Show and Wonder ...
  19. Wonder Woman (1975 - 1979) - DC Comics
  20. Lyle Waggoner - TV Guide
  21. ON TV, CHIT-CHATTING ABOUT IMPOTENCE - The Washington Post
  22. TV ADS POLICING OWN ACT – Chicago Tribune
  23. Ma Maison's West Hollywood Site Sold - Los Angeles Times
  24. Star Waggons | Intrepid Investment Bankers
  25. Actor Hitches His Financial Stability to 'Star Waggons' : Film industry
  26. Hudson Pacific Properties Acquires Star Waggons & Zio Studio ...
  27. Star Waggons, Zio Studio Services Sold to Hudson Pacific for $222M
  28. Press Release - Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.
  29. Lyle Waggoner 1935-2020 - West Lives On Gallery
  30. Wort Hotel Art Collection
  31. Movie star and artist Waggoner, 84, dies | Obituaries
  32. [PDF] 816 - Federal Trade Commission
  33. Wonder Woman's First Boyfriend - Modesto Radio Museum
  34. Charity Scorecard - Los Angeles Times
  35. 'Carol Burnett Show' star Lyle Waggoner dead at 84 - Page Six
  36. Lyle Waggoner's Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
  37. Little Beau Justin, born May 14th, dozes as he poses for his first ...
  38. Lyle Waggoner's House in Thousand Oaks, CA - Virtual Globetrotting
  39. Which States House Hollywood's A-List Vacation Homes?
  40. Testimonials - Twombly Performance Horse Sale
  41. Lyle Waggoner (1935-2020) - Find a Grave Memorial
  42. Lyle Waggoner 1935 – 2020 - brioux.tv
  43. 'Wonder Woman' Lynda Carter Pays Tribute to Late Co-Star Lyle ...
  44. Carol Burnett Remembers Late Costar Lyle Waggoner - People.com
  45. The Untold Truth Of The Wonder Woman TV Series - Looper
  46. https://www.metv.com/stories/originally-lyle-waggoner-was-hired-for-the-carol-burnett-show-because-of-his-good-looks
  47. Women of the Prehistoric Planet (1966) - IMDb
  48. Swamp Country (1966) - IMDb
  49. Love Me Deadly (1972) - IMDb
  50. Surf II (1983) - IMDb
  51. Gypsy Angels (1990) - IMDb
  52. Wizards of the Demon Sword (1991) - IMDb
  53. Lyle Waggoner Dies: 'Carol Burnett Show' & 'Wonder Woman Actor ...
  54. Lyle Waggoner, Steve Trevor on the Wonder Woman TV series, dies ...
  55. "Gunsmoke" Wishbone (TV Episode 1966) - IMDb
  56. My Sister, Irene/The 'Now' Marriage/Second Time Around - IMDb
  57. "The Love Boat" The Scoop/The Audit Couple/My Boyfriend's Back ...
  58. The Love Boat: Season 5, Episode 27 - Rotten Tomatoes
  59. "Murder, She Wrote" Hooray for Homicide (TV Episode 1984) - IMDb
  60. "Murder, She Wrote" Where Have You Gone, Billy Boy? (TV ... - IMDb
  61. https://tv.apple.com/us/episode/the-big-kill/umc.cmc.3jbll7bf9jkxh1zvlvzip6r67
  62. Lyle Waggoner Movies & TV Shows List | Rotten Tomatoes
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