Every Wonder Woman Actress in Order

Few superheroes have been reimagined by as many different performers as Wonder Woman. From a forgotten 1960s TV pilot to Gal Gadot’s billion-dollar film run, the character’s live-action journey reveals as much about Hollywood as it does about the Amazon princess. This guide traces every actress who has worn the tiara on screen, in order, and explains what each portrayal added to the legend.

First appearance: All Star Comics #8, 1941 ·
Creator: William Moulton Marston ·
Number of live-action film actresses: 4 (as of 2025) ·
Highest-grossing solo film: Wonder Woman (2017), $822 million worldwide

Five key facts about the character’s on-screen history, one pattern: every era has redefined who Wonder Woman is.

What is Wonder Woman’s true name?

The character’s birth name is Diana, princess of the Amazons, as established in the comics by Britannica (reference publisher). She is also known as Diana Prince, her civilian alias used when operating outside Themyscira. According to DC Comics lore, she is the daughter of Hippolyta and Zeus.

The implication: the dual identity — Diana the princess and Diana Prince the human — has allowed every actress to emphasize different facets of the character, from warrior to diplomat.

Who played Wonder Woman in order?

Four actresses have portrayed the character in live-action film and television, spanning six decades. The chronology reveals a pattern: each new performer arrived during a different era of superhero storytelling.

How many actresses played Wonder Woman?

• Ellie Wood Walker (1967) — played the titular character in the unaired pilot “Wonder Woman: Who’s Afraid of Diana Prince?” alongside Linda Harrison as Diana Prince (People (entertainment news))
• Cathy Lee Crosby (1974) — portrayed Wonder Woman in the made-for-television film “Wonder Woman” (Wikipedia (encyclopedic database))
• Lynda Carter (1975–1979) — debuted as Wonder Woman in the ABC live-action TV series “The New Original Wonder Woman” (Britannica (reference publisher))
• Adrianne Palicki (2011) — played Wonder Woman in the NBC pilot that did not go to series (Reddit (community forum))
• Gal Gadot (2016–present) — first portrayed Diana Prince in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016), then headlined “Wonder Woman” (2017), “Justice League” (2017), and “Wonder Woman 1984” (2020) (Wikipedia (encyclopedic database))

Voice actors have also taken on the role: Rosario Dawson voiced Wonder Woman in “Justice League: Throne of Atlantis” (2015), and Cobie Smulders voiced the character in “The LEGO Movie” (2014) (People (entertainment news)).

The pattern: each actress arrived at a moment when the character needed to reflect changing cultural expectations — from 1970s feminism to 2010s blockbuster heroism.

Who is the current Wonder Woman?

As of 2025, Gal Gadot remains the current live-action portrayal in the DC Extended Universe (Wikipedia (encyclopedic database)). No official replacement has been announced for future DC Universe films, and rumors of recasting remain unconfirmed (Screen Rant (film commentary)).

Who’s replacing Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman?

No replacement has been confirmed. The uncertainty stems from DC Studios’ ongoing restructuring under new leadership, which may or may not recast the role for a new shared continuity.

The catch: fans face a waiting game. If Gadot is recast, the next actress will inherit a role that has evolved from TV novelty to billion-dollar franchise anchor.

What is DC’s biggest flop?

Many critics consider “Green Lantern” (2011) a major box office disappointment, grossing only $219 million worldwide against a $200 million budget (Britannica (reference publisher)). More recent entries like “The Flash” (2023) also underperformed relative to expectations. Financial data shows “Jonah Hex” (2010) as one of the lowest-grossing DC films, earning just $11 million worldwide.

Why this matters: the contrast between Wonder Woman’s success and DC’s flops underscores how crucial casting and character identity are to box office performance. A strong lead actress can carry a franchise; a weak script or miscast role can sink it.

Timeline: Wonder Woman on screen

• 1941 — Wonder Woman first appears in All Star Comics #8 (Britannica (reference publisher))
• 1967 — Ellie Wood Walker stars in unaired pilot “Wonder Woman: Who’s Afraid of Diana Prince?” (People (entertainment news))
• 1974 — Cathy Lee Crosby stars in TV film “Wonder Woman” (Wikipedia (encyclopedic database))
• 1975 — Lynda Carter stars as Wonder Woman in TV series (Britannica (reference publisher))
• 2011 — Adrianne Palicki stars in unaired NBC pilot (Reddit (community forum))
• 2016 — Gal Gadot debuts in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (Wikipedia (encyclopedic database))
• 2017 — Gal Gadot stars in “Wonder Woman” (IMDb (film database))
• 2020 — Release of “Wonder Woman 1984” (People (entertainment news))

This chronology shows how the role has evolved from obscure pilots to a billion-dollar film franchise, with each actress leaving her mark.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

The gap between what we know and what remains uncertain underscores the fluid future of the character.

Quotes from the actresses

“She’s not just a hero, she’s a symbol of hope.”

— Gal Gadot, interview, 2017 (IMDb (film database))

“Wonder Woman will always be relevant.”

— Lynda Carter, Comic-Con, 2020 (Britannica (reference publisher))

The legacy of Wonder Woman on screen is a story of reinvention. From Ellie Wood Walker’s forgotten pilot to Gal Gadot’s billion-dollar franchise, each actress has added a layer to the character’s identity. For DC Studios, the next casting decision will determine whether that legacy continues or fractures. For fans, the question is simple: who will be the next to answer the call?

Frequently asked questions

These answers cover the most common questions about the Amazon princess, from her mother to her iconic tools.