Lyle Waggoner, square-jawed stalwart of 'Carol Burnett Show,' 'Wonder Woman,' dies at 84

Lyle Waggoner, a familiar face to millions of viewers from his work on "The Carol Burnett Show" and "Wonder Woman" in the 1960s and 1970s, died Tuesday at his home in California, his family said in a statement, citing cancer as the cause of death. He was 84

Waggoner, who left St. Louis for Hollywood as a young man, is best known for his work on Burnett's classic CBS variety show, serving as announcer and an ensemble member with Burnett, Harvey Korman and Vicki Lawrence for seven of its 11 seasons.

Blessed with leading-man good looks, Waggoner sometimes played the love interest for Burnett in comedic sketches. The tall, square-jawed Kansas City, Kansas, native screen-tested for the TV "Batman" role, and was a semi-nude centerfold for "Playgirl" magazine in 1973.

"Getting "Batman," which ran from 1966 to 1968, "would have been amazing. He lost out to Adam West, but it's a good thing he did, because he wouldn't have gotten 'The Carol Burnett Show,'" which premiered in 1967, Waggoner's son, Jason, tells USA TODAY. "So everything works out for a reason."

He later became a successful entrepreneur, founding Star Waggons, which leases customized trailers used by actors on many film and TV sets.

The actor left the popular CBS variety show in 1974, and was replaced by Tim Conway, who died last May.

After "Burnett," Waggoner switched genres, joining "Wonder Woman" as military pilot Steve Trevor, an ally of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Lynda Carter) in the World War II-era ABC superhero series. When it switched to CBS and modern day as "The New Adventures of Wonder Woman" for its second and third seasons, Waggoner played Trevor's son, Steve Trevor Jr.

Waggoner, whose TV career began on "Gunsmoke" in 1966, continued acting after "Wonder Woman" ended its run in 1979, appearing in "Charlie's Angels," "The Love Boat," "Fantasy Island" and "Murder, She Wrote."

During his time on "Wonder Woman," Waggoner created Star Waggons, which the family statement refers to as " the go-to company providing high-end luxury trailers to the entertainment industry. His Star Waggons transformed the way the entertainment business took care of it actors, make-up artists, wardrobe and production people. He knew how to 'make artists happy.'”

Jason Waggoner, who is president of Star Waggons, says his father got the idea for the trailer company when he was having some problems with a motor home being used as a dressing room at the "Wonder Woman" set on the Warner Bros. studio lot.

"He thought, 'What if I just buy it and take care of (fixing) it in all the down time (between scenes)?' Then he said. 'Why don't I buy two? I'll get one for Lynda and one for myself and then (the producers) don't have to worry about it?' he says of the genesis of the company.

In addition to Jason, Waggoner is survived by Sharon, his wife of 60 years; a second son, Beau; and four grandchildren. Services in both Los Angeles and Wyoming are pending.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lyle Waggoner of 'Carol Burnett Show,' 'Wonder Woman' fame dies at 84