Designing Women Actress Dixie Carter Will Be Missed

Many women who laughed until their sides hurt watching Dixie Carter on Designing Women are mourning her passing today. Dixie Carter passed away at the age of 70 on Saturday April 10, 2010.Carter played Julia Sugarbaker on the hit show about independent southern women in Atlanta, Georgia who ran an interior design business. Designing Women was one of the first shows to successfully showcase independent women in a positive and humorous light. Dixie Carter's character Julia Sugarbaker was the maternal figure on the show and oftentimes acted as the voice of logic and reason. The show aired on CBS from September 29, 1986 until May 24, 1993. Designing Women was created by writer Linda Bloodworth-Thomason.

Dixie Carter will surely be missed by all of the women who laughed along throughout the series successful run. The outlandish plot lines and humorous interaction between the actresses on Designing Women was unique and connected with women everywhere. I was in my tumultuous teenage years when Designing Women aired and watching it with my mother was a connection we shared. The hilarious episodes flowed seamlessly no matter how ridiculous they seemed thanks to a cast of women that worked fantastically together. Other actresses starring alongside Dixie Carter on Designing Women included Delta Burke, Jean Smart, Annie Potts, Julia Duffy, Jan Hooks, Meshach Taylor, and Judith Ivey. Dixie Carter's husband, Hal Holbrook also had a recurring role playing Reese Watson on Designing Women.

Dixie Carter and Delta Burke were believable as sisters Julia and Suzanne Sugarbaker on Designing Women. Dixie Carter saw many successes after Designing Women and was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Desperate Housewives in 2007. Dixie Carter starred in her final film with husband Hal Holbrook That Evening Sun in 2008.

Dixie Carter is survived by her husband Hal Holbrook and her two daughters Marie Dixie and Ginna. No further information has been provided about her death and Hal Holbrook has asked that the family's privacy be respected during what is a very difficult time.

Sources:
Dixie Carter
Designing Women
CNN