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 laurie

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Wow-I'm stunned.May she rest in peace.

By bazel

Just shocking... She was so young to go and so very talented. I can honestly say I enjoyed every one of the rolls I saw her in. When ever and where ever she'd appear, we were guaranteed to enjoy the character. I have to say that "Julia" in DW was my all time favorite as she had 'slaying lines'. She was always the consummate performer.
We'll miss seeing her in new roles, but will enjoy reruns.
Condolences to her loved ones... RIP.
Incidentally... I'm sure the family is in shock too, but she was a public figure (your careers always depended on fan loyalty), so letting her fans know what happened is only fair... no time to pull a Garbo.

By mabel boston

well she will be missed i loved her shows

By LS

Kisha,
Your ignorance and intolerance is shameful. We are all one, color is irrelevant. Your anger could be directed to create positive change, but instead you chose negativity. I feel sorry for you and whatever experiences brought you to this place, but there is a time when we all need to take responsibility and your time is now.

By Susan

Kisha, you're just a dope. And stupidity is not defined by the color of one's skin, just as one's worth should be defined by the "content of one's character". I'm sure you recognize that quote. Dixie Carter was a terrific talent, a good family woman, and she will be missed terribly.

By Rob

Kisha,

If I'm not mistaking all we saw on TV is Michael Jackson all month long.... Rest In Pease Dixie we love you....

By AJ

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

The only racist people posting here are the people saying nasty things about Kisha, I understand what Kisha is saying, it's just the words she used to express herself that sounds bad, so, who is really the racist here?

I loved your shows Dixie, Rest in peace!

By Sandi

She was a GREAT actress. I really enjoyed the roles she played. May the Lord watch over her family. Yes, May she rest in peace.

By Jerry

What's shocking about it. Everybody dies, both young and old.

Monday 12 April

By imho

Kisha, if she were black, I'd still notice -- and care.

By Colleen

That's too bad. My thoughts go out to her family and friends at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Dixie.

By Angela

Thank you "themeeker" for enlightening Kisha - being of mixed heritage - seeing color in people only leads to ugliness of heart - and I want a beautiful heart. I'll will miss seeing Dixie as Julia Sugarbaker just as much as I miss all my favorite artists who were African-American or any ethnic background.

To the family and close friends of Julia and to one of the finest gentlemen, Mr. Hal Holbrook, I send my deepest sympathies and prayers for strength. May you soon be able to embrace all the wonderful memories. Your Dixie gave us so much and we should honor your requests to grieve privately. There are plenty of avenues, such as this one, for us to pay tribute to her.

Lovingly,
Angela

By Jack Killough

Poor,poor,pitiful Kisha.Another opportunity to play the race card.Well,this isn't about you or that drama this time.
Sorry to lose a great woman like Dixie.My sympathies to the family.
Jack

By Dawn

I am very sorry to here that Dixie past away she was funny on Designing Women. My sympathy's go out to her family. Rest in peace Dixie.

By J

Wow, that's a real shocker! I'm from Tennessee and she is well-loved there for sure. Sorry to hear it and my condolences to her husband and family.

By Wendell

Very sorry for Hal and the family. This seems to be an unexpected loss. That is the worst kind. Many prayers and hopes for peace and solace.

By wendi

RIP Loved you in all of your works.

By Grant Devereaux

Gosh, I miss the Designing Women and Golden Girls shows, and find news of Dixie Carter's death a shocking reminder that time marches on. She was an amazing woman, actress and singer and she will be missed greatly.

By Dottie Ann

Exactly how I feel too....amd beautifully said.

By ren

Wow. This hurts more than all the others, i.e. Estelle Getty, Bea Arthur, etc. Julia was and always will be one of my idols. All women need that character's strength and intelligence.

You show "Golden Girls." Now bring back DW, TV!!

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