By Joe Puccio

As Generation X disciples are aware, the ‘70s and ‘80s produced a significant number of actresses known for their aesthetics just as much as they were for their stage prowess. From Suzanne Somers, who epitomized the quintessential buxom blonde on Three’s Company to Phoebe Cates, who mesmerized teenage boys in Fast Times at Ridgemont High to Kelly LeBrock, who captivated audiences as the literal embodiment of perfection in Weird Science, there was certainly no shortage of sexy, yet solid, stars in the bygone appearance-driven era.

While Stepfanie Kramer, the star of hit crime drama Hunter, absolutely ticks both the telegenic and talented boxes (she was voted one of the “most beautiful women in the history of television” in 1988 in TV Guide and she won the Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress Award by the First Americans in the Arts organization multiple times) for the Los Angeles-born entertainer is clearly revered for much more, including her no-nonsense, pragmatic approach to portraying Sergeant Dee Dee McCall on the long running NBC series alongside former professional football player Fred Dryer (Sergeant Rick Hunter) – as well as being quite intelligent to boot.

“When I first read the script for the show, which was written by Frank Lupo, I immediately resonated with the fact that this was a young woman who wasn’t a damsel in distress. This was a gal who held her own, who stood toe to toe with any guy, and was really strong without sacrificing her femininity,” Kramer recounted during a recent conversation with Generation X Wire. “And I’d never seen a role for a female written in that way.” Deciding to share the dialogue with good friend and fellow actor Jack Scalia for a second opinion, the screen veteran concurred with her assessment. “He felt it was very special and encouraged me to do it. After all that, I remember praying that I’d actually get it,” she laughed.

Perhaps Kramer’s shining moment during her six-season stint (she left in 1990 to pursue other acting and musical opportunities, before Hunter’s seventh and final season) occurred in its second year in a controversial two-part story arc. Titled “Rape and Revenge,” the plot centered on McCall being the victim of sexual assault by a government official escaping prosecution due to diplomatic immunity and the resulting repercussions. “That was a very powerful episode that was well written and everything about it was really handled well,” she acknowledged. “But then, only two seasons later, James Whitmore Jr., who played Terwilliger, asked me if I read the next script, which I hadn’t. He suggested that I call Stephen (Cannell, executive producer) to discuss it. When I asked why, he told me that I was going to be raped on the show again.”

While the actress understood the importance and significance of the storyline the first time, she was keen enough to realize that repeating the same plotline again was nothing more than a lazy attempt to generate ratings with a subject that should be handled delicately and with class – and promptly put her foot down. “We had a different producer come on, Roy Huggins. who had bought the rights to a book named City of Passion in which this female cop gets raped, and he wanted to mimic it on the show. So, I made it known that I was happy to take part in it, but he needed to take that aspect out,” she insisted. “It became a battle of control and once it got to the press, the floodgates opened with phone calls to the network and letters of support from the public and Stephen as well. I asked him (Roy) to be smarter and to not show yet another woman being violently victimized again for the sake of ratings. It wasn’t necessary. So, I’m happy to say it didn’t happen. And the three episodes were just as effective without it.”

Another narrative that Kramer is pleased never came to fruition involved the romantic relationship – or lack of one – between McCall and Hunter. Although viewers feelings on the possible liaison among the partners were mixed, writers ultimately opted to keep the pair platonic – mostly. “Fred and I discussed the possibility with each other and with Stephen and Frank as well and we all agreed that it didn’t need to happen,” she affirmed. “They were friends. They were a man and a woman who worked together. Nothing else was needed.” In Kramer’s last season on the program, however, a compromise of sorts was made in the form of an episode named “Unfinished Business.” “Our characters were really acrimonious with each other, and it was revealed we had slept together once a few years ago during a flashback sequence. The irritation and frustration were coming from unresolved issues that we never addressed,” she clarified. “So, Fred and I agreed to that as long as they didn’t go off and get married or something. It wasn’t that kind of show.”

Although Kramer and Dryer don’t get to see one another too often these days, the two remain good friends. “We see each other when we do conventions together, of course, and we speak on the phone occasionally,” she reassured. “Our lives just went in different directions. When the show was over, I wound up moving to Colorado, where I lived for ten years and Fred was still in L.A., busy with his grandchildren. Different paths.”

Kramer’s astuteness is apparent in a variety of ways, including via her singing, which she managed to showcase on Hunter. “There were episodes where I’d get to sing and I struck up a friendship with Mike (Post, composer). We started recording music for the show together after that,” she stated. “That was really a lot of fun.” In addition to contributing sonically to the series, the mezzo-soprano trained artist has recorded with Nils Lofgren of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, released a handful of her own critically acclaimed albums, and has performed consistently around the world. “Everything happens for a reason,” she added. “It all served a higher purpose to bring me where I am today.”

Speaking of today, Kramer is about to launch a brand-new venture that may seem atypical for an accomplished thespian/musician such as herself. Called The Other Side, the multitalented renaissance woman is set to debut her brand-new podcast imminently, covering a plethora of formidable topics. “I’ll be having conversations with incredible people who are leaders in their field. Esoteric sciences, the paranormal, predictive astrology,” she beamed. “I was just speaking with a brilliant theoretical physicist. I’m hoping this platform will be an opportunity for people to learn how profound it is to be human and how all these aspects are integrated into our experience. These are voices that awaken, illuminate, and inspire at very deep levels, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.”

Previously, Kramer tested the YouTube video waters with Reflections, where she shared her own thoughts and insights on weekly inspirational quotes. “Each one was very short, about three minutes,” she described. “It was positive and no matter what the subject was – love, guilt, shame, betrayal, joy – my intent was for people to, maybe, see things in a different light.”

Before landing Hunter, Kramer, whose career began in the late ‘70s, appeared in an eclectic array of projects, including Eight Is Enough, The Dukes of Hazzard, Fantasy Island, Dynasty, and The A-Team. Proclaiming to her mother, at the age of six, that she wished to be actress when she grew up, the goal didn’t take long to become reality. “My mother was supportive of it from the beginning, which was so important to me,” she emphasized. “Nobody in my family was in show business but my father was a classical violinist.”

Kramer attended Chatsworth High School in the San Fernando Valley of L.A. with a who’s who of fellow future stars such Val Kilmer, Kevin Spacey, and Mare Winningham, and still recalls the head of the institution’s drama department, Bob Corelli. “He was terrific,” she beamed. “That’s where I found my feet, found my voice, and found my inner compass to really drive home the intention of my creativity. From there, I went to The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, which led to getting signed by the William Morris Agency. And the rest, as they say, is history.”

Despite no one in Kramer’s family having any Hollywood connections before she got involved, her gifted daughter, Lily Richards, decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps. “She’s a very talented young woman who has written, directed, and starred in a variety of short films,” she smiled. “I’m very proud of her.”

Asked if she’d do anything different after such a long and successful career, Kramer didn’t hesitate to offer a response. “No regrets at all. None whatsoever,” she replied. “I’m content with everything. With Hunter specifically, I’m still stopped by women at airports, in malls, in markets, after all these years, and they’ll tell me it was because of my character that they left an abusive relationship. Or they’ll say they went into law enforcement because of McCall. I’m grateful I was able to create a positive through line for so many women who needed to move forward in life. And it’s really nice to think that you did something that made a positive difference in the world.”

For the latest updates on The Other Side and Stepfanie Kramer’s career, follow her on her website, on Instagram, and on Facebook.