Lyle Waggoner Net Worth

What was Lyle Waggoner's Net Worth?

Lyle Waggoner was an American actor, television host, and entrepreneur who had a net worth of $40 million at the time of his death in 2020. Lyle Waggoner was best known for his roles on "The Carol Burnett Show" and the 1970s series "Wonder Woman." With his chiseled features and easy charm, Waggoner carved out a long-running career playing handsome, often comedic supporting roles, becoming a familiar face on American television from the late 1960s through the 1980s.

But acting was only part of his professional story. Waggoner was also a savvy businessman who turned a clever idea into a thriving company that continues to operate today. As the founder of Star Waggons, a luxury trailer rental business for film and TV productions, he created a lasting legacy behind the scenes of Hollywood that proved even more enduring—and lucrative—than his on-camera work.

Early Life

Lyle Wesley Waggoner was born in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1935 and raised in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. After serving in the U.S. Army as a radio operator in West Germany, he studied mechanical engineering at the General Motors Institute and later pursued a business degree at Washington University in St. Louis. But Waggoner was drawn to show business, eventually making his way to Los Angeles in the early 1960s to pursue an acting career.

Television Career

Waggoner got his start in show business with small roles in B-movies and guest appearances on television shows. His breakthrough came in 1967 when he was cast as the original announcer and a regular sketch performer on "The Carol Burnett Show." For seven seasons, Waggoner played the suave straight man to Burnett and her ensemble cast, contributing to some of the most beloved comedy sketches of the era. His good looks and comic timing made him a popular figure with audiences, and he remained a fixture on the show until 1974.

Following his success with Burnett, Waggoner took on another prominent role as Steve Trevor in the television series "Wonder Woman," starring Lynda Carter. He played Trevor, a military intelligence officer and Wonder Woman's love interest, from 1975 to 1979. The series further solidified his television stardom, especially among younger audiences.

Over the years, Waggoner continued to appear in guest roles on numerous shows including "Mork & Mindy," "Happy Days," "Murder, She Wrote," and "The Golden Girls." He also had a small but memorable part in the 1990 comedy "The Naked Truth" and appeared as himself in a number of variety specials and talk shows.

(Photo by Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Star Waggons

Outside of acting, Lyle was also somewhat of a real estate mogul and entrepreneur. In 1979, he founded his own company called Star Waggons. The company rents trailers that are used by film and television studios. His family still owns and operates the business.

Lyle had the idea for Star Waggons after learning that the mobile home he was assigned to use during the filming of an episode of "Wonder Woman" was simply rented from someone who lived in the neighborhood of the studio. Lyle asked the studio if they would instead rent a mobile home of his choosing, from him instead. They agreed. He soon began renting mobile homes not just to himself, but to all the other actors on the show.

A major innovation was to move away from run-down mobile homes that had a space for a driver and even a kitchen, to roomy luxurious trailers. Star Waggons—the company he launched—was soon buying $50,000 trailers. That's the same as spending around $250,000 on a trailer today. He rented the trailers to studios for $500 per week. His monthly payment on each trailer averaged $400. Strong margins.

Star Waggons eventually became known for offering the most luxurious trailers in the industry. The typical Star Waggons trailer had a makeup area, large couches, and high-end bathrooms. Today, the highest-end Star Waggons trailer can cost around $2 million and be rented for as much as $10,000 per week.

Later Years and Retirement

Though Waggoner gradually stepped away from acting in the 1990s, he remained active in business and philanthropy. He spent time managing Star Waggons and occasionally appeared at fan conventions and industry events. His striking looks and warm personality continued to endear him to fans decades after his peak television fame.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Real Estate

In 2016, Lyle paid $3.95 million for a newly built 4,600-square-foot beachfront home in Oxnard, California, along Mandalay Beach. His estate listed the home for sale in July 2020 for $4.4 million.

He also owned homes in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Manzanillo, Mexico; and Westlake Village, California. These properties reflected his long-standing success in both entertainment and business, as well as his appreciation for scenic and serene surroundings.

Personal Life & Philanthropy

Lyle Waggoner was married to his wife, Sharon Kennedy, from 1961 until his death in 2020. The couple had two sons together. Outside of his acting career, Waggoner was an avid golfer and owned a golf course in Jackson, Wyoming. He was also involved in several charitable organizations, including the Los Angeles Free Clinic and the Children's Burn Foundation. Lyle Waggoner will always be remembered for his talent, humor, and contributions to the entertainment industry.

Death and Legacy

Lyle Waggoner died in March 2020 at the age of 84 after a battle with cancer. He passed away at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family.

While many remember him for his television work—his chemistry with Carol Burnett, his charm on "Wonder Woman"—his greatest professional legacy may ultimately be Star Waggons. The company he built quietly became a Hollywood staple, serving productions from blockbuster movies to prestige dramas. Waggoner's dual success in entertainment and entrepreneurship is rare in show business, and it stands as a testament to his creativity, foresight, and business acumen.

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