Wagner travelled the world as a fashion model, then made her television debut in an episode of Wagon Train in 1959. While living in the Bahamas she became an underwater stunt double in the series Sea Hunt and The Aquanauts. She also doubled for Joanne Dru in underwater sequences in the 1960 film September Storm. Wagner appeared on What’s My Line in December 1960 as a “Stunt skindiver for television films.” She married fellow underwater expert Courtney Brown, whom she had met while working on the shows.

In 1965, she appeared on Perry Mason as defendant Anona Gilbert in “The Case of the Feather Cloak.” Wagner also made guest appearances in other television shows including Flipper, Lassie, Mannix, and The Rookies. During 1966–67, she had a regular role as Lenore “Casey” Case, the secretary to Britt Reid, on The Green Hornet.

Wagner died of cancer on February 26, 1997, at the age of 55. Her body was soon cremated and her ashes were scattered at the Pacific Ocean.