Lyle Waggoner
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Born Name:
Lyle Wesley Waggoner
Born Date: April 13, 1935
Born Place: Kansas City, Kansas
Died Date: March 17, 2020
Died Place: Westlake Village, California
Occupations: Actor, comedian, sculptor, model, presenter, salesman
Brief Biography: Lyle Waggoner was remembered as the comedic announcer on The Carol Burnett Show (1967–1974) and as Major Steve Trevor on the 1970s Wonder Woman series. Beyond television, he achieved notable success as an entrepreneur by founding Star Waggons, a luxury trailer rental company for the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career Beginnings:
Education: Attended Washington University in St. Louis and later studied mechanical engineering at the General Motors Institute.
Early Jobs: Served in the U.S. Army as a radio operator in West Germany before working as a door-to-door encyclopedia and travel trailer salesman.
Breakthrough: Began his career as a model, eventually getting considered for the lead role in the 1966 Batman television series (which ultimately went to Adam West).
The Carol Burnett Show:
Role: Joined The Carol Burnett Show in 1967 as the primary announcer and a comedic cast member.
Comedic Style: Often poked fun at his own rugged, handsome looks, regularly participating in skits that showcased his comedic timing alongside legends like Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, and Vicki Lawrence.
Departure: Left the show after seven seasons in 1974 to pursue other acting opportunities.
Wonder Woman:
Role: Cast as the dashing flyboy Major Steve Trevor (and later Steve Trevor Jr.) opposite Lynda Carter in the Wonder Woman TV series (1975–1979).
Continuity: Transitioned with the show when it shifted its setting from World War II in the first season to the modern 1970s in subsequent seasons.
Entrepreneurship and Later Life:
Star Waggons: Founded Star Waggons in 1979, a hugely successful company supplying custom, high-end motorhomes and dressing rooms to film and television sets.
Other Ventures: Made history in 1973 by becoming the first semi-nude centerfold in Playgirl magazine.
Later Years: Made guest appearances on sitcoms such as The Golden Girls and That '70s Show, and spent his retirement years as an avid sculptor.
Born Date: April 13, 1935
Born Place: Kansas City, Kansas
Died Date: March 17, 2020
Died Place: Westlake Village, California
Occupations: Actor, comedian, sculptor, model, presenter, salesman
Brief Biography: Lyle Waggoner was remembered as the comedic announcer on The Carol Burnett Show (1967–1974) and as Major Steve Trevor on the 1970s Wonder Woman series. Beyond television, he achieved notable success as an entrepreneur by founding Star Waggons, a luxury trailer rental company for the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career Beginnings:
Education: Attended Washington University in St. Louis and later studied mechanical engineering at the General Motors Institute.
Early Jobs: Served in the U.S. Army as a radio operator in West Germany before working as a door-to-door encyclopedia and travel trailer salesman.
Breakthrough: Began his career as a model, eventually getting considered for the lead role in the 1966 Batman television series (which ultimately went to Adam West).
The Carol Burnett Show:
Role: Joined The Carol Burnett Show in 1967 as the primary announcer and a comedic cast member.
Comedic Style: Often poked fun at his own rugged, handsome looks, regularly participating in skits that showcased his comedic timing alongside legends like Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, and Vicki Lawrence.
Departure: Left the show after seven seasons in 1974 to pursue other acting opportunities.
Wonder Woman:
Role: Cast as the dashing flyboy Major Steve Trevor (and later Steve Trevor Jr.) opposite Lynda Carter in the Wonder Woman TV series (1975–1979).
Continuity: Transitioned with the show when it shifted its setting from World War II in the first season to the modern 1970s in subsequent seasons.
Entrepreneurship and Later Life:
Star Waggons: Founded Star Waggons in 1979, a hugely successful company supplying custom, high-end motorhomes and dressing rooms to film and television sets.
Other Ventures: Made history in 1973 by becoming the first semi-nude centerfold in Playgirl magazine.
Later Years: Made guest appearances on sitcoms such as The Golden Girls and That '70s Show, and spent his retirement years as an avid sculptor.