STEPFANIE KRAMER is best known for her iconic role as the tough-minded detective, Sgt. Dee Dee McCall on the popular NBC-TV series “Hunter” which ran for 7 years. Her talent and energy helped to make “Hunter” a major international hit. she has aquired a fan base that spans the globe. due to popular demand she appeared in two “Hunter” made for television movies in 2003 for nbc starring opposite fred dryer, her former co star. both films generated the highest numbers of the season for the network. with that, five additional episodes were ordered by the network making “hunter” the only show to make such a comeback with original cast members. both movies were produced by stephen j cannel productions.
in 2025 she was celebrated at the 35th shanghai television festival for her work on “hunter” which to this day is one of the most popular shows in china. in 2015 she was honored as an “icon of television” at the international television festival/golden nymph awards in monaco.she also served as a member of the festival nominating committee in 2016. in 2013 she brought a lighter touch to the indie film “crossing” playing the quirky susan along side martin rudoph.in 2012 she played kate meade the head matriarch in the popular fantasy/horror cw series “secret circle” based on the book series by l.j. smith ( author of the vampie diaries). in 2019 she portrayed dorothy calvin in the charming hallmark christmas film “a merry christmas match” wirtten and directed by jake helgren.she played the strong supportive coach/mother kate opposite christy romano in the abc family ice skating film “cutting edge 2/going for gold”.it proved to be the networks highest rated film for 2006.also in 2006 she gave a powerful performance as karen in the anti-terrorism film “ground truth.”she brought her talents to the role of helene in the indie feature film “the dogwalker” written and directed by paul duran.she plays a mother/daugjhter/wife who hires a down and out guy from the streets to take care of her flinty mother and her less than trained dog.this thought provoking dark comedy was lauded at the sedona international film fesival, palm springs film festival,the noosa film festival and the karlovy very international film festival in the czech republic and recieved rave reviews. stepfanie was honored by the “first americans in the arts”in 1995,2002 and 2003 by winning the award for outstanding performance as a lead actress.this award is only given to artists of native american decent.she uses her musical talents by singing and entertaining in various venues across the country. in 2008 she was asked to represent the u.s. by performing at the international music festival in queretero mexico. in 1990,she was seen as one of the stars in the cbs-tv movie of the week,”coins in the fountain” a comedy romance remake filmed in rome and luxembourg.immediately following she was cast opposite frederic forrest and james brolin in the dramatic thriller feature “twin sisters” for allegro films portraying twin sisters.after the murder of her sister, she takes her place to help solve the crime.in 1991 she also starred opposite jack scalia in cinemax’s gritty crime thriller “beyond suspicion”. her role on “hunter” brought stepfanie recogintion and respect as a gifted actress,yet she is much more than that. she is a powerful and unique singer trained as a mezzo soprano. her first CD “one Dream” showed her as a talented composer and lyrists as well. her 2nd cd “the great american songbook” is a live recording of popular standards.she alwats focused her energies on a performance career starting in school starring in various musicals. she holds extensive theatre and musical credits. she was invited twice to give the commencement speech at her alma mater the academy of dramatic arts. in addition she was a guest instructor at the academy. stepfanie’s background is diverse, with television credits that include movies of the weeek and mini-series. she joined the cast in the comedy romance made for tv movie “take my daughters please” with rue mCclanahan for nbc and the critically acclaimed political drama mini-series “favorite son” along with tony goldwyn,harry hamlin and robert loggia. prior to “hunter” she co starred on the sit-com “we got it made”, the family drama series “married:the first year” and the fantasy/horror series “cliffhangers:the secret empire.” she has had guest starring and recurring roles on a multitude of shows, including many of primetime’s top series. she has used her musical abilities in a number of musical specials,including hoofing her way through the busby berkeley number in “happy birthday hollywood” special at the shrine auditorium. she also was the opening musical number for the “nbc all stars” event. she joined bob hope for his 1986 easter special, and once again in 1988 for nbc’s “fifty stars celebrate bob hope’s 85th birthday” special. she opened up that event singing and dancing with sammy davis jr and bob hope. stepfanie said”it was an enormous thrill to sing and dance with sammy davis jr and bob hope, what an honor.” stepfanie hosted the macy’s thanksgiving day parade” twice, earning her a daytime emmy award nomination for “oustanding special class programing.” she has shown off her musical chops by performing in the parades as well. in the early 80’s while working in televsion she also sang country rock and rock and roll in various clubs throughout the los angels area. she told her agent,”i’ll either get a record deal or a series and I’ll go with whichever comes first.” in 1988 she was voted one of the most beautiful women in the history of television in a tv guide national poll. in 1995, she starred in the intense drama “deceived by trust” opposite michael gross for nbc making it the highest rated film of the year for the network. she also starred opoosite antonio sabato jr in “thrill” and opposite christopher noth in the dramatic film “underground father:fugitive from justice” for nbc in 1996. she joined the L.a. production of “menopause:the musical” with a guest apperance and took part in a stage reading of a winning muiscal in the broadway summer season called “a twist of fate.” in 2019 she co-produced and joined the cast in a special staged reading and performance in la of a new musical “doc hoilday:the musical”. she continues to co create and co write feature films with notable screenwriters david chisholm and chip hayes. she created a youtube podcast in 2023 called “reflections with stepfanie kramer” where she shares her thoughts and insights on weekly inspirational quotes. she is currently in production on an interview podcast called “the other side” with stepfanie kramer set to be released in 2026. it is an hour long journey into the unseen and unkown with extrordinary guests who bring insight, clarity and expanded awareness to our understanding of reality. Stepfanie was married in 1992 and divorced in 2001. her daughter lily richards, born in 1994 has followed in her mothers creative footsteps as an award winning director, writer and actress.stepfanie proudly notes that “lily is the greatest production i’ve ever been involved with”. through the international language of the arts and her particular expression of such, stepfanie kramer is able to communicate and reach out to audiences in a positive and enlightening way.”i love my work as a performer”, she states.”if i can affect a positive change by the use of my abilities, i gladly embrace the opportunity”.
