Dixie Carter, Star of 'Designing Women,' Dead at 70

By PopEater Staff Posted Apr 11th 2010 12:34AM

Legendary TV star Dixie Carter, who earned millions of fans on shows like 'Designing Women' and 'Diff'rent Strokes,' died Saturday morning, the AP is reporting. She was 70. Carter died in Houston of complications of endometrial cancer, The Associated Press reported.

Carter's death was confirmed Saturday by publicist Steve Rohn, who represents Carter and her husband, Oscar-nominated actor Hal Holbrook. Further details, including the cause of death, were not disclosed.

"This has been a terrible blow to our family. We would appreciate everyone understanding that this is a private family tragedy," Holbrook said in a written statement.

Carter's career spanned multiple decades on television and on the stage. TV fans may remember her best for her portrayal of Julia Sugarbaker on the CBS sitcom 'Designing Women,' on which she appeared in over 160 episodes from 1986-1993. The role came just one year following a two-season gig on NBC's 'Diff'rent Strokes,' as aerobics instructor Maggie McKinney.

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Dixie Carter Retrospective

American actress Dixie Carter, who was best-known for her long-running role in the sitcom 'Designing Women' from 1986–1993, died April 10. She was 70. Further details, including the cause of death, were not disclosed. In addition to her husband of nearly 26 years Hal Holbrook, Carter is survived by two daughters from a previous marriage.

Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Dixie Carter Retrospective

Dixie Carter, who was born in McLemoresville, Tenn., started her acting career in a 1960 in a Memphis stage production of 'Carousel.' She also appeared numerous times on Broadway, with roles in Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale' and 'Pal Joey,' as well as recent productions of 'Master Class,' as Maria Callas, and 'Thoroughly Modern Millie.'

Dixie Carter Retrospective

Dixie Carter's role in 'Designing Women' came just one year after her two-season gig on 'Diff'rent Strokes,' in which she played aerobics instructor Maggie McKinney. Her acting career credits also included soap operas 'One Life to Live' and 'The Edge of Night' and TV series as 'Out of the Blue,' 'On Our Own,' 'Filthy Rich,' and 'Family Law.'

Dixie Carter Retrospective

Carter was married three times -- first, to Arthur Carter, with whom she had two daughters. The couple split in 1977, and that same year, she married actor George Hearn. Carter and Hearn divorced two years later, in 1979. On May 27, 1984, Carter married Hal Holbrook, and remained with him until her death.

Dixie Carter Retrospective

Hal Halbrook and Dixie Carter met on the movie set of 'The Killing of Randy Webster' in 1982. They also appeared together last year in 'That Evening Sun,' an independent film based on a short story by author William Gay.

Dixie Carter Retrospective

She received her first and only Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for 'Desperate Housewives' in 2007.

Dixie Carter Retrospective

Carter and Delta Burke played the sparring sisters on 'Designing Women.' The series also starred Annie Potts and Jean Smart. The show was unmistakably a comedy but tackled such topics as sexism, ageism, body image and AIDS.

"It was something so unique, because there had never been anything quite like it," Potts told The Associated Press at a 2006 cast reunion. "We had Lucy and Ethel, but we never had that exponentially expanded, smart, attractive women who read newspapers and had passions about things and loved each other and stood by each other."

Carter continued to find success in the latter part of her career, playing Randi King on three seasons of 'Family Law.' She recently appeared in a seven-episode arc on ABC's 'Desperate Housewives,' for which she received her first and only Emmy nomination.

Additional television roles included 'On Our Own,' 'Filthy Rich,' 'Lou Grant,' 'One Life to Live' and 'Out of the Blue.'

A native of McLemoresville, Tennessee, Carter also appeared numerous times on Broadway, with roles in 'Sextet' and 'Pal Joey,' as well as recent productions of 'Master Class,' as Maria Callas, and 'Thoroughly Modern Millie,' in which she played Mrs. Meers.

Carter's acting career dates back to a 1960 production of 'Carousel' in Memphis, Tennessee.

Carter was married three times -- first, to Arthur Carter, with whom she had two daughters. The couple split in 1977, and that same year, she married actor George Hearn. Carter and Hearn divorced two years later, in 1979.

On May 27, 1984, Carter married Hal Holbrook, and remained with him until her death. The couple appeared together in the film 'That Evening Sun,' her last credited role.

Tags: dixie carter

Comments

(471)

Sunday 11 April

By Morgan

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She looked younger and gorgeous because she had major plastic surgery and skin work done like many of them. We all have to go some time so why be shocked or surprised at death.

By Jimmy

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Yes, I knew she had work done and yes, everyone has to go; however, seventy is young these days so it is a shock. Everyone wonders what happened, too. For the person who didn't know who she played on Different Strokes, she was Mr. Drummond's wife. She left and was replaced, I thin, by Mary Ann Mobley, Gary Collin's wife.

By smaepmy55

Morgan, whats that got to do with anything... this is a time to show respect, she also had beauty within... something you lack!

By Sue

Morgan, you must live a miserable life.

By hdstyle1957

R.I.P. Dixie.

By Kitty

Like Laurie, I am absolutely stunned. What a beautiful, wonderful person and actress she was. We were lucky to see her in a one-woman theatrical show a couple of years ago. She was fabulous. My husband and I send our heartfelt hugs and prayers to her family.

By dsherline

Of all the girls starring on Designing Women I liked her the best.

By JJ

Had the absolute pleasure of meeting her several times in Memphis at The Peabody Hotel,once or twice with Hal Holbrook.She was always so kind, and sweeet,they both were.Will be greatly missed.Heaven,indeed,has one more angel. RIP

By Go2girl

I LOVED "Designing Women" and without a doubt, she was such a huge part of why I LOVED that show...

By Andrea Rowe

This has actually made me cry. I loved her. My mom, sister, and I would watch Designing Women while we crocheted baby blankets for my nephew who is now 19 years old!!! I only discovered her on Different Strokes in recent years because I wasn't born until 1977 and we didn't have cable then.

By Janet

I am shocked and saddened to hear that we have lost such a wonderful, talented lady.

By margiedowling1

Dixie you were wondeful and will be missed so much. Your roles gave me so much joy. Rest in Peace and prayers to your family,

By Rony

Sad to hear.

By L B

You will forever be remembered as Julia Sugarbaker, but(at least for me) ALSO for your PSA for Cervical Dystonia Awareness.

By Lori

The only fitting thing about your post is that the word JERK was in it. Applies to you.

By mascheria

O my Lord. Man dixie we will all miss you. But we will all see you in Heaven one day. Rest in Peace.

By linda

i am deeply sorry and mrs. carter will be missed

By Norene

My deepest condolences to Hal Holbrooke and the entire family of our beloved Dixie Carter. That southern accent was genuine.
May she rest in peace with the Lord.

By luvkatz9

Idiot

By Don Taylor

I'm Shocked...And sad, What a wonderful woman we have lost . May God bless her and her family. I will miss her. Don

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