Upon graduating from high school, she enrolled at the University of Oregon. However, she transferred during her freshman year to Mount Hood Community College, where she continued her studies while exploring career opportunities in the performing arts.

Career Beginnings in Modeling and Television

Wagner began her professional career as a model in Los Angeles. Her first television appearance came as a hostess on the late-1960s variety show Playboy After Dark. She subsequently made guest appearances in a number of television series during the early 1970s, gaining recognition for her performances and screen presence.

Rise to Fame: 'The Bionic Woman'

Lindsay Wagner achieved fame with her portrayal of Jaime Sommers, the female counterpart to Steve Austin in the iconic series The Six Million Dollar Man. Her character gained such popularity that it led to a lead role in the spin-off series The Bionic Woman, which aired from 1976 to 1978. Her performance in the series earned her critical acclaim and a 1977 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Dramatic Role.

The role of Jaime Sommers became a defining moment in Wagner’s career, making her one of television’s most recognizable faces in the science fiction genre. The series also contributed to the broader popularity of women-led action dramas during the 1970s and remains a significant part of pop culture history.