Dixie Carter of Designing Women fame dies at age 70

Dixie Carter, who played the witty Julia Sugarbaker on the popular series "Designing Women" died this morning at age 70.

She was survived by her husband, actor Hal Holbrook.

Loved that show and the opening theme, which was a jazzed up version of "Georgia on My Mind."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/11/entertainment/main6384164.shtml

 

Was a great foil to Delta Burke in the early years of Designing Women, but then, as with Alan Alda in M*A*S*H, she became a great righter of wrongs, much to the show's detriment. Last thing I remember her doing was Yellow Pages commercials. R.I.P.

 

the early years of designing women were gold

 

I nearly forgot that she played Bree Van De Kamp's evil mother-in-law on "Desperate Housewives." She tried to kill Bree, ended up suffering a stroke during the struggle, and Orson confined her to the hospital. Carter was nominated for that 7-episode role.

 

I liked Designing Women because it was the rare sitcom that was about something, it had characters that seemed to live in the same world we lived in. Thought they could have crafted a better foil for the ladies, than the sexist/issue of the week that they all spouted off on. RIP Dixie - and stay strong Hal.

 

You are exactly right. The interesting thing is Carter was a Republican and didn't like where the writers took the character.

RIP to a fine lady of the South.

 

Well, the show's creatorrs were big-time FOBs

 

I remember when they co-starred in an earlier short-lived sitcom called "Filthy Rich," which was kind of a parody of "Dallas" and "Dynasty" and the like. RIP.

 

RIP to a fine Southern lady and actress. She was great on the show. Condolences Hal.
I enjoyed the episodes of Designing Women when Lewis Grizzard was on as their brother.

 

Never watched one episode of Designing Women or Evening Shade or any of those FOB type shows. My loss, I suppose. RIP.

 

"And that... was the night the lights went out in GEORGIA!"

The early years of Designing Women were a total scream to watch. She was great on Housewives and in pretty much everything else she was in. RIP.

 

Anyone know if she was sick? Wonder why the publicist didn't disclose where she died or cause of death? 70 isn't "died of natural causes" age, is it?