Wonder Woman and Dynasty star dies as fans pay tribute to iconic actress with long Hollywood career
Jeannie Epper, the legendary Hollywood stuntwoman who famously doubled for Lynda Carter in Wonder Woman and Kate Jackson in Charlie's Angels, has tragically died aged 83.
She left an impressive legacy across the 1970s and 80s with dozens of film and TV credits to her name. The sad news of her passing on Sunday was confirmed by her family on Tuesday, 7 May.
Lynda Carter, whom Epper closely worked with, paid tribute to her "love" on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, saying: "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."
Lynda added: "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."
Fans also posted their compliments and condolences. "She was such a professional, it's really seamless. I've been fascinated how we couldn't tell it was not you Lynda in any given action scene," said one. A second commented: "I am so sorry for your loss, this is a lovely tribute to your friend, colleague and collaborator."
A third added: "I saw an episode not long ago where she was hanging from a helicopter – she was one of the best doppelgängers out there! May she rest in peace."
Jeannie, who began working in showbiz at age nine, catapulted into the industry limelight on Wonder Woman, reports the Mirror.
In 2007, she received the moniker "the greatest stuntwoman" from Entertainment Weekly, establishing her as a recognizable figure in the industry. Despite the hurdles of landing stunt work as a woman, Jeannie saw a sharp increase in roles during the late 1970s.
She was the stunt double for Linda in Wonder Woman for three seasons from 1976 to 1979 on ABC and CBS. Jeannie is renowned for her work in several iconic movie and TV stunts, including doubling for Kathleen Turner as she tumbled down a mudslide in Romancing The Stone, and battling it out for Linda Evans against Joan Collins on the TV drama Dynasty.
Stunt work was a family affair for Jeannie, with her siblings Tony, Margo, Gary, Andy and Stephanie all pursuing the same career path. She even received high praise from Steven Spielberg for her work on Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Poltergeist and Minority Report.
"She certainly qualifies to be one of the great stunt coordinators," Steven Spielberg said. Her recent work includes The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Kill Bill: Vol.2 and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. She made history by becoming the first woman to receive a lifetime achievement award at the Taurus World Stunt Awards back in 2007.