Lynda Carter is best known for playing Wonder Woman on TV in the 1970s, but did you know that she also shared the screen with another iconic hero, Roy Rogers? Many fans have wondered if there is any relation between the two stars, who appeared together in a memorable episode of Wonder Woman. In this article, we will explore the facts and myths behind their connection and reveal the truth about their relationship.
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Who is Lynda Carter?
According to Wikipedia, Lynda Carter is an American actress, singer, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss World USA 1972 and finished in the top 15 at the Miss World 1972 pageant. She was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 24, 1951, to Juanita and Colby Carter. Her father was of English and Scots-Irish ancestry, and her mother was of Mexican, Spanish, and French descent.
Carter began her career as a singer, performing in various bands and venues in Arizona and Nevada. She decided to pursue acting in 1972, after winning the Miss World USA title. She landed her breakthrough role as Wonder Woman in 1975, starring as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman in the live-action television series based on the DC comic book character. The show ran for three seasons on ABC and CBS from 1975 to 1979.
Carter continued to act in various films and TV shows after Wonder Woman ended, such as The Dukes of Hazzard, Partners in Crime, Hawkeye, Super Troopers, and Supergirl. She also released several albums as a singer, such as Portrait (1978), At Last (2009), and Crazy Little Things (2011). She has been married twice: first to Ron Samuels from 1977 to 1982, and then to Robert A. Altman from 1984 until his death in 2021. She has two children with Altman: James and Jessica.
Who is Roy Rogers?
According to Wikipedia, Roy Rogers was an American singer, actor, and producer who was one of the most popular Western stars of his era. He was born Leonard Franklin Slye on November 5, 1911, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Mattie and Andrew Slye. He grew up in a poor family that moved frequently across Ohio, Kentucky, and California.
Rogers started his career as a singer, joining various groups such as The Rocky Mountaineers, The Texas Outlaws, and The Sons of the Pioneers. He became known for his distinctive yodeling style and his songs about the West, such as “Tumbling Tumbleweeds”, “Cool Water”, and “Happy Trails”. He also began acting in Western films in the late 1930s, often playing himself or a character named Roy Rogers. He starred in over 100 movies and numerous TV shows, such as The Roy Rogers Show (1951-1957) and The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show (1962-1963).
Rogers was married three times: first to Lucile Ascolese from 1933 to 1936, then to Arline Wilkins from 1936 until her death in 1946, and finally to Dale Evans from 1947 until his death in 1998. He had nine children: four biological (Roy Jr., Robin Elizabeth, Linda Lou, and Dusty) and five adopted (Cheryl Darlene, Marion Swift Jr., Sandra Sue, Deborah Lee Ann, and Dodie). He was also known for his love of animals, especially his horse Trigger and his dog Bullet.
How did Lynda Carter and Roy Rogers meet?
Lynda Carter and Roy Rogers met on the set of Wonder Woman in 1977. They appeared together in an episode titled “The Bushwhackers”, which aired on January 28th of that year. The episode was set during World War II and featured Rogers as J.P. Hadley, a cattleman who supplies beef to the troops and hosts war-orphaned children at his Diamond H Ranch. Carter played Wonder Woman / Diana Prince, who comes to Texas to help Hadley stop some rustlers who are trying to sabotage his operation.
According to Cowboys and Indians blog , the episode was a rare opportunity for fans to see two American heroes join forces for the first and last time. Carter was an experienced rider who could handle a horse alongside Rogers. She also wore a cowgirl variant of her Wonder Woman costume for most of the episode. It has been rumored that the change was made because Rogers was uncomfortable around the sight of so much super-cleavage, but this has not been confirmed by either star.
The short answer is no. Lynda Carter and Roy Rogers are not related by blood or by marriage. They only shared a professional relationship as co-stars on Wonder Woman. They did not have any family ties or common ancestors. They also did not have any romantic involvement, as they were both married to other people at the time of their collaboration.
However, some fans have speculated that there might be a distant connection between Carter and Rogers through their adopted children. Rogers adopted Cheryl Darlene in 1941, when she was two years old. She was born in Texas to a woman named Thelma Pauline Melton, who later married a man named John Carter. Cheryl grew up with the surname Carter and used it in some of her film appearances with her adoptive father.
Some fans have wondered if John Carter might be related to Lynda Carter’s father, Colby Carter, who was also born in Texas. However, there is no evidence to support this theory. Colby Carter’s parents were James Henry Carter and Mary Elizabeth McDaniel, who had no known connection to John Carter or Thelma Melton. Furthermore, Colby Carter moved to Arizona with his family when he was a child and did not have any contact with his Texas relatives.
Therefore, it is safe to say that Lynda Carter and Roy Rogers are not related in any way, except for being friends and colleagues on Wonder Woman.
Conclusion
Lynda Carter and Roy Rogers are two legendary stars who made history with their roles as Wonder Woman and the King of the Cowboys. They met on the set of Wonder Woman in 1977 and worked together on an episode that showcased their talents and charisma. However, they did not have any relation by blood or by marriage, despite some fan theories. They were simply co-stars who respected and admired each other. They remain icons of American pop culture and sources of inspiration for generations of fans..
