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 Stacy

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I am stunned. I absolutely loved her as Julia Sugarbaker. My prayers are with her family. RIP, Dixie.

By Gaylon

I'm so sorry about Dixie CArter. It's like losing a member of my own family. Designing Women was my all time favorite tv show. She will be missed. Whenever I would get on my soapbox about something, my Mother would call me "Now Julia". There is not much on tv to watch anymore like this show or any of the good shows. Too much "ugly" talk now.

By Anna

The first time I saw her was on The Edge of Night, imperious, sweeping into a room in an impressive gown and cape with fur, full of style and attitude. She was one of a kind.

By allemyne

My favorite episode of DW was when she sang "How Great Thou Art" . . . truly a fitting song to describe her, also.

By joe

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

You people need a LIFE who cares. It's just another professional lier.

By jane

And what is YOUR problem this morning? If you can't something positive, GET OFF THE NET

By Pam

Go piss up a rope, joe. Apparently A LOT of people care.

By Deena

And "Joe" your life must be absolutely productive since all you seem to have going for you is getting on these sights and putting people down for having good things to say about a fantastic woman who gave so many people joy.

By Sue

VERY STUNNED AND HEART BROKEN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO HER FAMILY MAY SHE REST IN PEACE GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY

By Harry Hurt

Dixie was a great singer. I'll never forget her performance in the church scene on DW, when she sang "How Great Thou Art". I don't believe I have ever heard that hymn sung better.

By MJ

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

We would appreciate everyone understanding that this is a private family tragedy," Holbrook said in a written statement. THAT IS BULL!!! IT IS A TRAGEDY TO EVERYONE...NOT JUST THE FAMILY! I LOVED HER AS AN ACTRESS AND AS A PERSON BUT I WASN'T RELATED TO HER, SO DOES THAT LEAVE ME OUT OF THE CRYING AND CARING PART TOO? NO WAY! I WILL MISS HER DEARLY!

By smaepmy55

Why are you getting your "knickers in a twist"? No one said you cannot grieve. In time we will find out why she died, and more of the story. Lets face it, the papparazzi will take care of that. The family is going thru a hard time right now, as anyones would. Grieving has many phases, and not in any order, and certainly not in any time frame. We will miss her, but we do need to respect the family.

By Val

OMG - I am in shock! Whether she was Julia Sugarbaker or another equally as interesting role, Dixie always gave a knockout memorable performance. I just know the next time I catch a old episode of Designing Women, I'll cry my eyes out. My condolences to her husband, daughter, family, and friends.

By Laverne Smith

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Dixie Carter was a wonderful actress I enjoyed all of her work. She was the best and will be missed. May she rest in peace. My heart goes out to her family.

Laverne

By Laina

'Joe'...it's rather obvious you have issues with strong, beautiful women. While I am NOT a Liberal as her Julia S. character was, the way she could tell demoralize who or whatever on DW I admired as a quality I have (I do it with a smile on my face). I was felt honored she did the Awareness for Cervical Dystonia advertisement.

By Scott

She was a Lady, pure & simple. Strong, yes but definately a lady.

As much as I loved her acting, she was also a remarkable singer. I still get goosebumps from her rendition of "Ava Maria" on a Designing Women episode

By yolanda

She was such a beautiful and talented lady and her fans will miss her but are greatful to have watched her on tv. My condolences to her husband, family and friends.

By Julie

God bless :) She will be greatly missed.

By BETTY

My deepest condolences to Dixie's family. She was a great actress and will always be remembered. R.I.P. Dixie

Love you Dixie miss you rest in sweet peace

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