'Wonder Woman' stuntwoman Jeannie Epper dies at 83

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Lynda Carter's main stuntwoman on the hit 1970s TV series "Wonder Woman," Jeannie Epper, has died at age 83, it was announced Tuesday.

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Epper died Sunday night of natural causes at her home in Simi Valley, her family told The Hollywood Reporter.

During her seven-decade career, Epper swung on a vine and propelled down an epic mudslide as Kathleen Turner's character in "Romancing the Stone," and doubled Linda Evans on the shows "The Big Valley" in the 1960s and "Dynasty" in the 1980s. When Evans' Krystle engaged in a knock-down, drag- out catfight with Joan Collins' Alexis on "Dynasty," it was usually Epper seen mixing it up.

Epper also handled stunt work for Kate Jackson on "Charlie's Angels," for Lindsay Wagner on "The Bionic Woman," for Angie Dickinson on "Police Woman," for Jessica Walter in "Play Misty for Me," for Jill Clayburgh in "Silver Streak" and for Nancy Allen in "RoboCop."

In 2007, Epper received the first lifetime achievement honor given to a woman at the World Taurus Awards and ranks among the greatest stuntwomen of all time.

Starting with her father, John Epper, there have been four generations of Eppers in show business since the 1930s -- she worked on more than 150 films and TV shows during her 70-year career.

Carter, 72, reacted to the news of Epper's death on X (formerly Twitter) and shared a photo from the set of "Wonder Woman" showing herself and Epper in matching costumes.

"I have a lot to say about Jeannie Epper," Carter posted. "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."

Carter continued: "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."

Survivors include her husband, Tim, her kids Eurlyne and Richard, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

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