Linda Wismayer was an actress who starred in several notable films.
In recent years, however, more and more attention has been drawn to her distinctive image, capturing something of a glimpse into a bygone era…
Born in 1963 in Washington, D.C., Linda Ann Wismayer was the quintessential blonde sex bomb whose voluptuous figure graced the pages of Playboy magazine.
Her journey began in Bitburg, Germany, where her father served as a doctor in the U.S. Air Force. The family moved around a lot from place to place until Linda finally ended up in sunny Los Angeles. She also spent some time in Bound Brook, New Jersey, where she regularly sunbathed on the Jersey Shore.
She starred in a zombie film
Linda loved working and being busy, combining three careers: modelling, acting and clerical work in a medical office.
In 1982, her beauty caught the eye of Playboy and she became the centre model in the magazine’s July issue. After becoming a Playmate, Linda’s showbiz career took off, starring in films that showcased her stunning natural physique. She appeared in films such as True Genius (1985), Teen Wolf (1985), Malibu Express (1985), and R.S.V.P.’ (1984).
Last film
But it was Linda Wismayer’s last film that may have been the one that brought her fame. In 1987, she played the role of Diana in the zombie horror film Wicked City.
The film starred the legendary Dean Jagger, who played the role of a mad scientist seeking eternal youth. His method? To synthesise a cure from human pituitary fluid, of course. When he extracted the fluid, things went awry – the process resulted in mindless zombies created from hapless donors.
In an interesting coincidence, Wicked City also starred Keith Hefner, the younger brother of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. With Linda and Keith on board, the film was linked to Playboy.
The film was supposed to be released on 3 June 1987, but the hype was so great that many cinemas began showing it a day earlier, on 2 June. Despite the hype, however, Wicked City did not live up to expectations.
Critics called it a ‘silly horror film.’ Cavett Binion of All Movie Guide noted that the film was a mishmash of scenes from previous films, including an unfinished 1970s project, and added that it was ‘peppered with gratuitous nudity by former Playmate Linda Wismayer.’ Ouch!
Thankfully, Linda Wismayer was destined for a comeback. Anyway, in the years since the film’s release, a particular scene from Wicked City has gone viral.
However, not for the reasons some might assume.
Photo by Linda Wismayer
In this memorable moment, Linda shares the screen with almost unknown actor Scott Hunter.
At first glance, this is a classic 1980s shot. A young man and woman dressed in 80’s outfits pose in front of a Dodge car. But take a closer look and you’ll find something unexpected!
The man is wearing dark shorts and a grey sweatshirt with colourful patterns, while Linda is sporting white high-waisted shorts paired with a bright red top tied artfully at the waist. Short shorts were in vogue back then, and Scott wore them with corduroy shirts that everyone seemed to have.
Their retro outfits scream 80s fashion, which for many is a delightful throwback to the era. And that’s what makes people fall in love with this look.
1980s fashion was big, bright and bold – and we embraced all sorts of styles including punk, glam rock and preppy.
We could play with colours, hairstyles, make-up and lots of plastic jewellery and other crazy accessories. And sometimes all it takes is a simple shot from a little-known film to transport you to that fantastic era – thanks for that, Linda and Scott.
Leaving the industry
After leaving the film industry, Linda took up family life, married and had two wonderful children – a son and a daughter – from her first marriage.
According to Joyce’s Take, the family settled in Lafayette, Louisiana, where Linda took a position as records manager in a law office.
However, life turned around, and after her divorce in 2004, Linda packed her bags and headed to sunny California, ready for a fresh start. Even while living further away, Linda treasured her connection with her fans. She became a familiar face at various fan conventions such as Glamourcon, The Hollywood Collectors Show and WonderCon, where she shared her stories and signed autographs.
Cause of Death
Sadly, Linda’s journey came to an end when she passed away at the age of 49 in December 2012 after a courageous battle with a brain tumour.
It’s bittersweet to think of what she could have said about her time in films like Wicked City, a charming piece of cinematic history that captures a different era.
But even in her absence, we can still celebrate Linda’s legacy and the joy she brought to her fans. Share this article if you miss the 80s too!
