The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Lyle Waggoner, perhaps best known for playing Steve Trevor on the 1970s Wonder Woman TV series, has died following a long illness. He was 84 years old.
Waggoner made his acting debut on an episode of Gunsmoke in 1966. The following year, he joined The Carol Burnett Show, where he served as both the announcer and a performer. After a seven-year stint on that series, Waggoner segued over to Wonder Woman in 1975 as one of the first actors to bring Steve Trevor to life in live-action.
Waggoner actually played two different versions of Steve Trevor on Wonder Woman. In the first season, set during the 1940s, Trevor was an army major who fought alongside Lynda Carter’s Amazon warrior. Unfortunately, the series’ WWII setting made production costs too high. When it was renewed for a second season, the producers moved the timeframe to the present day. Waggoner subsequently began playing Trevor’s son, Steve Trevor Jr. This iteration of Steve followed in his late father’s footsteps by working with Diana as the head of a CIA-esque crimefighting organization.
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Wonder Woman actually wasn’t Waggoner’s first brush with the DC Universe. Back in 1965, he screen-tested to play Bruce Wayne in the then-upcoming Batman TV series. He was a finalist for the role, but the part ultimately went to Adam West. Waggoner also narrated and briefly appeared in the 2003 made-for-TV film Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt; which starred West and Burt Ward. Waggoner’s Batman audition can be viewed below.
You can share your favorite memories of Lyle Waggoner’s performances in the comment section below.
Recommended Reading: Wonder Woman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 1
