Lindsay first came to prominence in the critically-acclaimed role of Susan Fields in The Paper Chase (1973), but received household recognition worldwide when she broke the mold for women on television with her iconic portrayal of Jaime Sommers. As she collaborated with the writers, The Bionic Woman (1976) became an inspiration around the world and, in 1977, Lindsay won the Emmy for "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series".
Her now-strong influence in the media and a desire to use that as a way to communicate ideas to help people in their personal journey is demonstrated in so many of the films in which she starred, such as: The Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg Laurel (1979), the struggle between naturopathic and allopathic healthcare (1979); I Want to Live (1983), the moral dilemma regarding capital punishment (1983); Child's Cry (1986), child sexual abuse (1986); The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story (1988), some root complexities of terrorism (1988); Evil in Clear River (1988), the quiet rise of the Neo-Nazi movement in America (1988); Shattered Dreams (1990), on family violence, which she also co-produced (1991); Deadly Nightshade (1995), highlighting the problem of teen prostitution (1995); Thicker Than Water (2005), expressing compassion for the animal kingdom and the importance of family (2005); Four Extraordinary Women (2006), the emotional effect of breast cancer on family members (2006). As a result of the volume of her successful productions, she was often referred to as the "Queen of TV Movies".
Lindsay has long been acknowledged as one of the top leading spokespersons in the United States, a role she took very seriously with regard to the impact it would have on the public, which in turn reinforced her position as a respected voice in the community. She was given a Genii Award as "Performer of the Year" in 1985. Lindsay has co-authored a bestselling vegetarian cookbook, "The High Road to Health" (1990) and "Lindsay Wagner's New Beauty: The Acupressure Facelift" (1986). She also released a meditation CD, "Open to Oneness".
Off-screen, Lindsay is passionate about the study and sharing of holistic healing modalities, integrating mind, body and spirit. For 25 years, she has been the Honorary Chair of ICAN (Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect). She has also been heavily involved in human rights, domestic violence, animal welfare and the environment. From 2003-2006, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Lindsay co-facilitated a counselling group for convicted batterers and their families. Her work utilized a range of psychological and spiritual techniques.
For the public, Lindsay facilitates experiential "Quiet the Mind & Open the Heart" workshops and retreats. These programs are designed to help overcome our own personal challenges, while accessing the peace and joy that is naturally within us. Lindsay offers these programs to the public as well as special interest groups as a way of sharing, that which has greatly impacted her life.
Info courtesy of wwww.lindsaywagnerinternational.com
Her now-strong influence in the media and a desire to use that as a way to communicate ideas to help people in their personal journey is demonstrated in so many of the films in which she starred, such as: The Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg Laurel (1979), the struggle between naturopathic and allopathic healthcare (1979); I Want to Live (1983), the moral dilemma regarding capital punishment (1983); Child's Cry (1986), child sexual abuse (1986); The Taking of Flight 847: The Uli Derickson Story (1988), some root complexities of terrorism (1988); Evil in Clear River (1988), the quiet rise of the Neo-Nazi movement in America (1988); Shattered Dreams (1990), on family violence, which she also co-produced (1991); Deadly Nightshade (1995), highlighting the problem of teen prostitution (1995); Thicker Than Water (2005), expressing compassion for the animal kingdom and the importance of family (2005); Four Extraordinary Women (2006), the emotional effect of breast cancer on family members (2006). As a result of the volume of her successful productions, she was often referred to as the "Queen of TV Movies".
Lindsay has long been acknowledged as one of the top leading spokespersons in the United States, a role she took very seriously with regard to the impact it would have on the public, which in turn reinforced her position as a respected voice in the community. She was given a Genii Award as "Performer of the Year" in 1985. Lindsay has co-authored a bestselling vegetarian cookbook, "The High Road to Health" (1990) and "Lindsay Wagner's New Beauty: The Acupressure Facelift" (1986). She also released a meditation CD, "Open to Oneness".
Off-screen, Lindsay is passionate about the study and sharing of holistic healing modalities, integrating mind, body and spirit. For 25 years, she has been the Honorary Chair of ICAN (Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect). She has also been heavily involved in human rights, domestic violence, animal welfare and the environment. From 2003-2006, in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Lindsay co-facilitated a counselling group for convicted batterers and their families. Her work utilized a range of psychological and spiritual techniques.
For the public, Lindsay facilitates experiential "Quiet the Mind & Open the Heart" workshops and retreats. These programs are designed to help overcome our own personal challenges, while accessing the peace and joy that is naturally within us. Lindsay offers these programs to the public as well as special interest groups as a way of sharing, that which has greatly impacted her life.
Info courtesy of wwww.lindsaywagnerinternational.com
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Lindsay Fact File
- Ex-niece of Linda Gray, of DALLAS fame.
- The scar on her right upper lip is the result of an automobile accident she suffered in 1976.
- Mother, with ex-husband/stuntman Henry Kingi, of two sons: Dorian Kingi (born 1982) and Alex Kingi (born 1986). Her ex-stepson is stuntman Henry Kingi Jr. (born 1970).
- Was scheduled to be a passenger on American Airlines Flight 191 from Chicago to Los Angeles on May 25, 1979, but felt uneasy about flying on that plane. She skipped the flight, which crashed only minutes after take-off, killing everyone on board.
- Lived in Portland, OR, and attended David Douglas High School as a teenager.
- Father Bill Wagner was a school photographer.
- Her acting career evolved pretty much by accident. She had been a regular babysitter for The Dukes of Hazzard (1979) star James Best's children when he recommended that she attend his acting classes.
- First worked with Lee Majors when she guest-starred on his series Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (1971) in 1971. A few years later she became famous as The Bionic Woman (1976), a role that she first played on The Six Million Dollar Man (1974), where Majors played the title role.
- Agreed to act as the "Bionic Woman" in Bionic Breakdown (1994) only on the condition that her character marries the "Six Million Dollar Man", since she felt it was unfair that fans had been waiting almost 20 years for the marriage to take place. The producers acquiesced, and the television movie ends with a wedding.
- Youngest actress to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series until Jodie Comer won in 2019, followed by Zendaya in 2020.
- Awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on December 13, 1984, at 6767 Hollywood Blvd.
- Awarded a Golden Palm Star on the "Palm Springs Walk of Stars" at 205 S. Palm Canyon Drive on May 12, 2012.
- Was the primary guest star on the very first episode (the pilot, actually) of The Rockford Files (1974).
- Is dyslexic.
- Attended Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, OR, and the University of Oregon.
- Born on exactly the same date as Oscar-winner Meryl Streep.
- She was a contract player for Universal studios earning $1000 per week when she guest-starred as Jaime Sommers on one of their shows The Six Million Dollar Man (1974). Her character died at the end of the two-part episode, and Universal didn't renew her contract, believing they didn't have any use for her or her character. But public outcry was so immediate and intense that Universal had to resurrect Jaime Sommers from the dead. Wagner and her agent negotiated a significant salary increase to $25000 per episode for another two-part episode of The Six Million Dollar Man (1974). That led to her own series The Bionic Woman (1976), where she commanded $500,000/per year; a guarantee of five feature films; plus 12½% of the royalties on all Bionic Woman artefacts.
- Was considered for the role of Captain Katherine Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager (1995).
- In her Emmy award acceptance speech as Best Actress for The Bionic Woman (1976), she thanked two people: her then-husband Michael Brandon and guest-star Linda Wiser for being warm and supportive towards her.
