Lynda Carter’s children have carved their own paths far from the shadow of Wonder Woman. Both James and Jessica Altman grew up outside Washington, D.C., earned law degrees, and now thrive in publishing and music while keeping their late father’s memory alive.
At a Glance
- James Altman directs publishing at Bethesda Softworks and executive-produced the Fallout TV series.
- Jessica Carter Altman released her debut album Aftermath in June 2024.
- Both siblings honored their father, Robert A. Altman, who died in 2021, through career milestones and personal tributes.
- Why it matters: The Altman children prove that legacy is built on passion, education, and family bonds rather than celebrity status.
Lynda Carter stepped away from Hollywood at the height of her fame to raise James and Jessica, prioritizing “intellectual pursuits” over red-carpet flash. “It’s always the people in your life,” she told News Of Losangeles in 2017, noting that parenting required “the more difficult step.”
James Altman: From History Major to Gaming Powerhouse
James Altman was born January 14, 1988, and grew up in the Maryland suburbs. After earning a B.A. in History from the University of Michigan in 2010, he completed his J.D. at George Washington University Law School in 2014. He joined ZeniMax Media, the company his father founded, and now serves as Director of Publishing Operations at Bethesda Softworks.
Key career moments include:
- Overseeing Bethesda’s $7.5 billion acquisition by Microsoft in March 2021
- Executive-producing Fallout, released April 2024
- Walking the red carpet with his mom for the show’s premiere
When Microsoft finalized the acquisition, James toasted his late father on Instagram: “Dad worked for over 20 years to get us to this point… Raising a glass of champagne today.”
Carter returned the praise after the Fallout premiere: “You’ll always be my first baby, James.”
Jessica Carter Altman: Lawyer-Turned-Musician
Jessica Carter Altman arrived October 7, 1990, and followed the family tradition of law school, graduating from the University of Michigan in 2017. Yet music pulled her away from legal briefs. While still in law school, she performed with her mom at the Kennedy Center and realized “the thing that I had been pushing down” was stage work.
Career highlights:
- Released debut album Aftermath June 2024
- Often duets with Carter; they planned a 2020 tour canceled by COVID-19
- Filmed the music video “Cherry Blossoms” as a grief tribute to her father
Jessica sewed fabric from one of her dad’s shirts into her wedding dress when she married Dr. Ross Uhrich in May 2023. Carter also stitched a piece into her own dress, calling the gesture “so many small things that she did.”
Family Bond After Loss
Robert A. Altman died suddenly in 2021 of a rare blood cancer. Carter wrote on Instagram that their children were “the greatest joy of Robert’s… I see so much of Robert in them.” The trio talks about him “all the time,” Carter told News Of Losangeles in February 2024.
Jessica channels grief into songwriting. “Cherry Blossoms,” released in 2022, captures memories triggered by spring blooms. “I often found myself clinging to happy moments I shared with my dad,” she explained.
James honors his father through professional milestones, posting family photos when Carter received her Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2018. Jessica captioned the same event: “Congratulations to my WONDERFUL mother… She is remarkable.”
Keeping It Normal in the Suburbs
Carter and Altman left Los Angeles in the mid-1980s to raise their kids near Washington, D.C. “I didn’t have a lot of substance in my life,” Carter recalled, crediting the move for deeper family connections. Both children attended local schools before heading to the University of Michigan for undergraduate studies.
Birthday wishes and travel photos pepper Jessica’s Instagram: Paris Fashion Week selfies, “relaxing weekends,” and notes like “Happy birthday to the woman who makes everything seem like magic.”
Key Takeaways
- James and Jessica Altman prioritized education, each earning law degrees before pursuing creative careers
- Both siblings publicly honor their late father through professional achievements and personal tributes
- Carter’s decision to leave Hollywood allowed her children to establish identities separate from her superhero fame
- The family’s shared stage performances, social-media shout-outs, and red-carpet appearances highlight a tight-knit bond sustained through loss and success
