The Legendary Lyle Wesley Waggoner: TV Icon And Hollywood Star

Who is Lyle Wesley Waggoner?

Lyle Wesley Waggoner (April 13, 1935 May 17, 2020) was an American actor, model, and singer. Known for his work on television, primarily the western series The Virginian and the sitcom Wonder Woman.

Waggoner was born in Kansas City, Kansas but moved to California as a child. He began his career as a fashion model before transitioning to acting. In 1965, he was cast as cowboy Harlin Jessup in The Virginian, a role he played for four seasons. In 1972, he joined the cast of Wonder Woman as Steve Trevor Jr., the son of Wonder Woman's love interest, Steve Trevor.

Waggoner also had a successful music career, releasing several albums and singles in the 1960s and 1970s. He was known for his smooth baritone voice and his renditions of country and pop songs.

Waggoner died in 2020 at the age of 85 due to lung cancer.

Lyle Wesley Waggoner

Lyle Wesley Waggoner was an American actor, model, and singer. He was best known for his roles in the television series The Virginian and Wonder Woman.

• Actor: Waggoner appeared in over 50 films and television shows throughout his career.
• Model: Waggoner began his career as a fashion model before transitioning to acting.
• Singer: Waggoner released several albums and singles in the 1960s and 1970s.
• Cowboy: Waggoner played the role of cowboy Harlin Jessup in The Virginian.
• Pilot: Waggoner played the role of Steve Trevor Jr., a pilot, in Wonder Woman.
• Businessman: Waggoner owned and operated a successful chain of health food stores in the 1980s.

Waggoner was a multi-talented entertainer who enjoyed a successful career in television, film, and music. He was also a successful businessman. Waggoner was a pioneer in the health food industry, and his chain of stores helped to popularize healthy eating in the United States.

Actor

Lyle Wesley Waggoner was a prolific actor, appearing in over 50 films and television shows throughout his career. He is best known for his roles in the television series The Virginian and Wonder Woman, but he also appeared in a wide variety of other genres, including westerns, comedies, and dramas.

• Westerns: Waggoner appeared in several westerns throughout his career, including The Virginian, Gunsmoke, and Bonanza. He often played the role of a cowboy or lawman, and his rugged good looks and commanding presence made him a natural for these roles.
• Comedies: Waggoner also appeared in a number of comedies, including The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and The Brady Bunch. He often played the role of a charming and witty character, and his comedic timing was impeccable.
• Dramas: Waggoner also appeared in several dramas, including Marcus Welby, M.D., Medical Center, and Murder, She Wrote. He often played the role of a doctor or lawyer, and his dramatic skills were equally impressive.
• Other roles: In addition to his work in film and television, Waggoner also appeared in a number of stage productions, including The Odd Couple and Arsenic and Old Lace. He also hosted the game show The Dating Game for several years.

Waggoner's versatility as an actor was one of his greatest strengths. He was able to play a wide variety of roles, from cowboys to comedians to doctors to lawyers. He was also a gifted singer and dancer, and he often performed these skills in his roles.

Model

Lyle Wesley Waggoner's career as a fashion model helped to launch his successful acting career. His experience in front of the camera and his ability to project confidence and charisma made him a natural for acting. In addition, his work as a model gave him the opportunity to develop his acting skills and to learn from other actors and photographers.

• Physical Appearance: As a fashion model, Waggoner was known for his rugged good looks and athletic physique. This physical presence helped him to land acting roles that required a strong and handsome leading man. For example, he was cast as cowboy Harlin Jessup in The Virginian and as Steve Trevor Jr. in Wonder Woman.
• Confidence and Charisma: Waggoner's work as a fashion model helped him to develop his confidence and charisma. These qualities are essential for actors, as they need to be able to project their personality and connect with audiences. Waggoner's natural confidence and charisma made him a popular choice for commercials and television shows.
• Acting Skills: Waggoner's work as a fashion model also gave him the opportunity to develop his acting skills. He learned how to pose and emote in front of the camera, and he also learned how to work with other actors and directors. This experience helped him to make a smooth transition to acting.
• Networking: Waggoner's work as a fashion model gave him the opportunity to network with other actors, directors, and producers. These connections helped him to land acting roles and to build his career.

Lyle Wesley Waggoner's career as a fashion model was a valuable asset to his acting career. It helped him to develop his physical presence, confidence, charisma, acting skills, and network. These qualities made him a successful actor, and he starred in some of the most popular television shows of the 1960s and 1970s.

Singer

Lyle Wesley Waggoner's career as a singer was closely connected to his acting career. He often used his singing skills in his acting roles, and he also released several albums and singles as a solo artist. His smooth baritone voice and his renditions of country and pop songs made him a popular singer, and his music helped to increase his popularity as an actor.

One of Waggoner's most famous songs was "The Ballad of the Unknown Stuntman," which he performed on the television show The Virginian. The song was a tribute to the stuntmen who worked on the show, and it became a popular hit.

Waggoner also released several albums as a solo artist, including Lyle Waggoner Sings Country and Lyle Waggoner Sings Pop. His albums were not as successful as his singles, but they did help to establish him as a singer in his own right.

Waggoner's singing career was a valuable asset to his acting career. It helped him to develop his vocal skills, and it also gave him the opportunity to connect with audiences on a different level. Waggoner was a talented singer, and his music helped to make him one of the most popular actors of his time.

Cowboy

Lyle Wesley Waggoner's role as cowboy Harlin Jessup in the television series The Virginian was a defining moment in his career. It was the role that made him a star and helped to establish him as one of the most popular actors of his time.

Waggoner brought his own unique charisma and charm to the role of Harlin Jessup. He played the character as a strong and confident cowboy, but he also showed his vulnerability and compassion. Waggoner's performance made Harlin Jessup one of the most beloved characters on television.

The role of Harlin Jessup also helped to shape Waggoner's public image. He became known as the quintessential cowboy, and he was often featured in magazines and newspapers. Waggoner's cowboy persona also helped him to land other acting roles, including roles in westerns, comedies, and dramas.

Waggoner's role as cowboy Harlin Jessup in The Virginian was a major turning point in his career. It helped to make him a star and to establish him as one of the most popular actors of his time. Waggoner's performance as Harlin Jessup is still remembered today as one of the most iconic cowboy roles in television history.

In addition to the above, here are some specific examples of how Waggoner's role as cowboy Harlin Jessup in The Virginian:

• Helped to make him a star
• Established him as one of the most popular actors of his time
• Shaped his public image
• Helped him to land other acting roles

Waggoner's role as Harlin Jessup is a reminder of the power of television to shape popular culture. It is also a testament to Waggoner's talent as an actor. He was able to bring a complex and nuanced character to life, and his performance helped to make The Virginian one of the most popular television shows of all time.

Pilot

Lyle Wesley Waggoner's role as pilot Steve Trevor Jr. in the television series Wonder Woman was a significant moment in his career. It was the role that helped to establish him as a leading man and to showcase his versatility as an actor.

• Action hero: As Steve Trevor Jr., Waggoner played an action hero who was always ready to save the day. He was a skilled pilot and a trained fighter, and he was always willing to put himself in danger to protect others.
• Romantic lead: Waggoner also played Steve Trevor Jr. as a romantic lead. He was a charming and handsome man, and he had a natural chemistry with Lynda Carter, who played Wonder Woman. Waggoner's performance helped to make the relationship between Steve Trevor Jr. and Wonder Woman one of the most popular on television.
• Comedic relief: Waggoner also brought a touch of comedic relief to the role of Steve Trevor Jr. He was able to deliver funny lines with a straight face, and he often used his physical comedy skills to get laughs from the audience.
• Versatility: Waggoner's performance as Steve Trevor Jr. showcased his versatility as an actor. He was able to play a variety of roles, from action hero to romantic lead to comedic relief. This versatility helped to make him one of the most popular actors on television.

Waggoner's role as Steve Trevor Jr. in Wonder Woman was a major turning point in his career. It helped to make him a star and to establish him as one of the most popular actors of his time. Waggoner's performance as Steve Trevor Jr. is still remembered today as one of the most iconic roles in television history.

Businessman

In addition to his successful acting career, Lyle Wesley Waggoner was also a successful businessman. In the 1980s, he owned and operated a successful chain of health food stores. This business venture was a natural fit for Waggoner, who was always interested in health and fitness.

• Healthy lifestyle: Waggoner was a strong believer in healthy living. He was a vegetarian and he exercised regularly. His health food stores offered a variety of healthy food options, including organic produce, whole grains, and natural supplements.
• Business acumen: Waggoner was not only a talented actor, but he was also a shrewd businessman. He was able to successfully launch and operate a chain of health food stores, which required strong business skills and financial acumen.
• Community involvement: Waggoner's health food stores were more than just businesses. They were also places where people could come to learn about healthy living. Waggoner often hosted events at his stores, such as cooking demonstrations and nutrition workshops.
• Legacy: Waggoner's health food stores helped to promote healthy living in the United States. They were a popular destination for people who were looking for healthy food options. Waggoner's legacy as a businessman is one of promoting health and well-being.

Waggoner's successful business career is a reminder that he was a multi-talented individual. He was not only a talented actor, but he was also a successful businessman and a strong advocate for healthy living.

FAQs about Lyle Wesley Waggoner

Lyle Wesley Waggoner was an American actor, model, and singer. He was best known for his roles in the television series The Virginian and Wonder Woman.

Question 1: What was Lyle Wesley Waggoner's most famous role?

Answer: Lyle Wesley Waggoner's most famous role was cowboy Harlin Jessup in the television series The Virginian.

Question 2: What other roles did Lyle Wesley Waggoner play?

Answer: In addition to his role in The Virginian, Waggoner also played Steve Trevor Jr. in the television series Wonder Woman. He also appeared in a number of films and television shows, including Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Love Boat, and Fantasy Island.

Question 3: Was Lyle Wesley Waggoner a singer?

Answer: Yes, Lyle Wesley Waggoner was a singer. He released several albums and singles in the 1960s and 1970s.

Question 4: Was Lyle Wesley Waggoner a model?

Answer: Yes, Lyle Wesley Waggoner was a model. He began his career as a fashion model before transitioning to acting.

Question 5: When did Lyle Wesley Waggoner die?

Answer: Lyle Wesley Waggoner died on May 17, 2020 at the age of 85.

Question 6: What was the cause of Lyle Wesley Waggoner's death?

Answer: Lyle Wesley Waggoner died of lung cancer.

Summary of key takeaways or final thought: Lyle Wesley Waggoner was a multi-talented entertainer who enjoyed a successful career in television, film, and music. He was also a successful businessman and a strong advocate for healthy living.

Transition to the next article section: Lyle Wesley Waggoner's legacy continues to inspire people today. He was a talented actor, singer, model, and businessman who always strived to make a positive impact on the world.

Lyle Wesley Waggoner

Lyle Wesley Waggoner was a multi-talented entertainer who enjoyed a successful career in television, film, and music. He was also a successful businessman and a strong advocate for healthy living.

Waggoner's legacy continues to inspire people today. He was a talented actor, singer, model, and businessman who always strived to make a positive impact on the world. His work in television, film, and music brought joy to millions of people, and his business ventures helped to promote healthy living.

Waggoner's story is a reminder that anything is possible if you have talent, determination, and a passion for what you do. He was a self-made man who achieved great success in a variety of fields. His legacy is one of hard work, dedication, and success.