What was Lyle Waggoner’s Net Worth?
Lyle Waggoner, an American actor and former model, passed away in 2020 at the age of 84 leaving behind a net worth of $40 million. He was best known for his work on The Carol Burnett Show and his role as Steve Trevor on Wonder Woman.
Aside from acting, Waggoner was also the founder of Star Waggons, a company that rents trailers to film and television shows. He used his earnings from the company to build a real estate fortune.
Waggoner was born in Kansas City, Kansas and spent most of his childhood in Missouri. He attempted to land the role of Batman in the TV series but lost out to Adam West. He also appeared in the 1967 film, Catalina Caper.
He landed the role of Steve Trevor in Wonder Woman and made several appearances in television movies in the 70s and 80s, often cast for his good looks. He retired from acting in the 90s but still made guest appearances on shows such as Return to Batcave and the Naked Truth.
Lyle Waggoner’s Business Ventures
Aside from his acting career, Lyle Waggoner was also an entrepreneur and real estate mogul. In 1979, he founded Star Waggons, a company that rents trailers to film and television studios.
The idea for Star Waggons came to Lyle when he learned that the mobile home he was assigned to use during the filming of an episode of “Wonder Woman” was rented from someone who lived near the studio. He proposed that the studio rent a mobile home of his choosing instead, and they agreed. From there, he began renting mobile homes to himself and other actors on the show.
He moved away from run-down mobile homes that had a space for a driver and kitchen, and instead purchased luxurious trailers that cost around $50,000 each. He rented them out to studios for $500 per week, with a monthly payment of $400 per trailer.
Star Waggons trailers eventually became the most luxurious in the industry, featuring makeup areas, large couches, and luxurious bathrooms. Today, the highest-end Star Waggons trailer can cost up to $2 million and be rented for as much as $10,000 per week.
Lyle Waggoner’s Real Estate Holdings
In 2016, Lyle Waggoner purchased a 4,600 square foot beachfront home in Oxnard, California for $3.95 million. The newly-built property, located on Mandalay Beach, was put up for sale in July 2020 for $4.4 million.
Aside from his Oxnard property, Waggoner also owned homes in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Manzanillo, Mexico, and Westlake Village, California.
Early Life and Education
Lyle Waggoner was born on April 13, 1935, in Kansas City, Kansas and grew up in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. He attended Kirkwood High School in Kirkwood, Missouri. After high school, he attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering.
Waggoner also served in the United States Army for two years before beginning his career in entertainment.
Lyle Waggoner’s Career and Achievements
Lyle Waggoner started his career as a model and appeared in advertisements for brands such as Marlboro cigarettes and General Motors. He later transitioned to acting and landed his breakthrough role as Steve Trevor on the television series “Wonder Woman” in 1975. Prior to that, he had been a regular on “The Carol Burnett Show” from 1967 to 1974.
Aside from his television work, Waggoner also appeared in several films, including “Catalina Caper” and “The Naked Ape.” He also guest-starred on numerous television shows such as “Charlie’s Angels,” “The Love Boat,” and “The Golden Girls.”
After his acting career, Waggoner became a successful businessman and real estate developer.
Lyle Waggoner’s Personal Life
Lyle Waggoner married his wife, Sharon Kennedy, in 1961 and they remained together until his death in 2020. They had two sons.
Aside from acting, Waggoner was an avid golfer and owned a golf course in Jackson, Wyoming. He was also actively involved in charitable organizations such as the Los Angeles Free Clinic and the Children’s Burn Foundation.
Waggoner will be remembered for his talent, humor, and contributions to the entertainment industry.
