Actor Lynda Carter, best known as the star of the 1970s live-action television series Wonder Woman, paid tribute to Jeannie Epper, her stunt double on the show, after Epper died at 83.
Amanda Micheli, a spokesperson for Epper's family, told The Associated Press that Epper died of natural causes Sunday at her home in Simi Valley, California.
Carter shared a throwback photo of herself with Epper on X, formerly Twitter, and included the following message:
"I have a lot to say about Jeannie Epper. Most of all, I loved her. I always felt that we understood and appreciated one another. After all, it was the 70s. We were united in the way that women had to be in order to thrive in a man’s world, through mutual respect, intellect and collaboration."
"Jeannie was a vanguard who paved the way for all other stuntwomen who came after. Just as Diana was Wonder Woman, Jeannie Epper was also a Wonder Woman."
"She is so beautiful to me. Jeannie, I will miss you."
You can see Carter's post and the photo below.
@RealLyndaCarter/X
Many appreciated Carter's message and joined her in paying tribute to the late Epper.
Considered a legend in the field, Epper hailed from a prominent family of stunt performers that included her parents, John and Frances Epper. Her remarkable 70-year career as a stuntwoman and stunt coordinator began at just 9 years old. Her children Eurlyne, Richard, and Kurtis, along with her grandson Christopher, all followed her footsteps into the stunt industry.
Epper faced challenges early in her career due to limited opportunities for women in the field. However, as women took on more action-oriented roles in the late 1970s, she saw a significant increase in work.
Her most iconic role was as a stunt double for Carter in Wonder Woman from 1976 to 1979 on ABC and CBS. She also doubled for Lindsay Wagner in Bionic Woman and Kate Jackson in the original Charlie's Angels.
In addition to her work on television, Epper worked on such notable films as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Poltergeist, Terms of Endearment, Romancing the Stone, and Minority Report.
