logo
twitter.com/people
twitter.com/people

'Designing Women' Cast Now, 33 Years after 1st Episode of the Famous Sitcom Aired

Ra'eesah Manack
Nov 05, 2019
02:00 A.M.

Seven seasons watching "Designing Women" had fans falling hopelessly in love with the cast. Unfortunately, the show eventually ended and fans were forced to part with their favorite characters.

Advertisement

"Designing Women" brought audiences the stellar cast that consisted of Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Annie Potts, Jean Smart, and Meshach Taylor. Recent rumors of a "Designing Women" reboot has many fans reminiscing about the past.

Loyal fans can't help wondering what happened to the original cast members. Here is a look at where they are now.

Dixie Carter as Julia Sugarbaker

Dixie Carter, President, TNA Wrestling speaks onstage during Destination America's 'TNA Impact Wrestling' panel at Discovery Communications' 2015 Winter Television Critics Association press tour  | Getty Images | Getty Images

Dixie Carter, President, TNA Wrestling speaks onstage during Destination America's 'TNA Impact Wrestling' panel at Discovery Communications' 2015 Winter Television Critics Association press tour | Getty Images | Getty Images

Julia, played by Dixie Carter who was the designing woman. She owned Sugarbakers & Associates in the show.

In the show, she ran the business from her home. She became known for her snappy way of putting people in their place in every episode.

Advertisement
 Dixie Carter poses during the 80th annual Academy Awards nominees luncheon  | Getty Images

Dixie Carter poses during the 80th annual Academy Awards nominees luncheon | Getty Images

The show ended in 1993 and Carter went on to play Randi King in "Family Law." She also landed a series of guest appearances on shows like "Law & Order: SVU" and "Desperate Housewives."

The latter earned her an Emmy nomination. The actress heartbreakingly passed after suffering from complications of her cancer in 2010 at the age of 70.

Delta Burke as Suzanne Sugarbaker

Delta Burke, (L) and actor Gerald McRaney pose in the press room with the award for outstanding guest actor in a drama series for "This is Us" at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Getty Images

Delta Burke, (L) and actor Gerald McRaney pose in the press room with the award for outstanding guest actor in a drama series for "This is Us" at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Getty Images

Advertisement

Actress Delta Burke embraced the role of Julia's sister, Suzanne Sugarbaker. She drew inspiration for the character from her own experience as a pageant contestant in the Miss Florida competition.

Her "Designing Women" character was a shallow former beauty queen. She earned two Emmy nominations for her role.

Gerald McRaney (L) and actress Delta Burke arrive at AFI Associates & Sony Pictures Classics' premiere Of "Get Low" held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater inside The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Getty Images  / Global Images Ukraine

Gerald McRaney (L) and actress Delta Burke arrive at AFI Associates & Sony Pictures Classics' premiere Of "Get Low" held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater inside The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Getty Images / Global Images Ukraine

Delta was fired after the fifth season after she was locked in controversial disagreements with producers. She went on to appear in her own short-lived series, "Delta."

She also landed a role in a spin-off of "Designing Women," called "Women of the House." In 2003, she decided to try her hand on stage and made her Broadway debut in "Thoroughly Modern Millie." Currently, the actress took on several guest roles in shows like "Drop Dead Diva."

Advertisement

Annie Potts as Mary Jo Shively

 Annie Potts visits Hallmark's "Home & Family" at Universal Studios Hollywood  | Getty Images

Annie Potts visits Hallmark's "Home & Family" at Universal Studios Hollywood | Getty Images

The sarcastic Mary Jo was played by actress Annie Potts. She was known as the self-deprecating head designer at the firm and loved for her sense of humor.

The character was dubbed one of the most modern ladies on TV. She was a divorcee who was also a single mother of two in the show.

 Annie Potts visits Hallmark's "Home & Family" at Universal Studios Hollywood  | Getty Images

Annie Potts visits Hallmark's "Home & Family" at Universal Studios Hollywood | Getty Images

Advertisement

After the show, Annie continued working on television shows like "Love and War" and "Any Day Now." She also voiced Little Bo Peep in Pixar's "Toy Story" movies.

She also guest-starred on hit shows like "Two and a Half Men" and "Grey's Anatomy." Most recently, the actress has taken on the main character role in the hit "Young Sheldon."

Jean Smart as Charlene Frazier Stillfield

Jean Smart attends the Premiere Of HBO's "Watchmen" at The Cinerama Dome | Getty Images

Jean Smart attends the Premiere Of HBO's "Watchmen" at The Cinerama Dome | Getty Images

The country girl in the office, Charlene was the office manager at the firm. She played by the stunning Jean Smart.

The character spent most of the show reminiscing about her hometown of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. The show was actually Jean's big break.

Advertisement
Jean Smart attends the FYC red carpet of Bravo's "Dirty John" at Saban Media Center  | Getty Images

Jean Smart attends the FYC red carpet of Bravo's "Dirty John" at Saban Media Center | Getty Images

After the show, she landed roles in several other hit shows, including "Frasier" and "24" which both earned her Emmys.

She also starred in the cult-favorite movie "Sweet Home Alabama." Recently, the actress starred in "A Simple Favor" and shows like "Dirty John" and "Watchmen."

Meshach Taylor as Anthony Bouvier

Meshach Taylor attends "A Night Sardi's" at the 10th Annual Gala Fundraiser to benefit the Alzheimer's Assoicaition | Getty Images

Meshach Taylor attends "A Night Sardi's" at the 10th Annual Gala Fundraiser to benefit the Alzheimer's Assoicaition | Getty Images

Advertisement

Meshach Taylor initially played Anthony Bouvier who was the Sugarbakers' falsely-accused ex-con delivery man. He ends the series as Mr. Bouvier, Esquire, after finishing law school.

His role was actually supposed to only be one episode. However, the producers enjoyed the dynamic touch he added to the show and decided to keep him on as the perfect sidekick to Suzanne's shenanigans.

Meshach Taylor attends a party for Paul Feig's sci-fi novel "Ignatius MacFarland: Frequenaut!" at the California Science Center | Getty Images

Meshach Taylor attends a party for Paul Feig's sci-fi novel "Ignatius MacFarland: Frequenaut!" at the California Science Center | Getty Images

Taylor went on to act in "Dave's World." He also co-hosted "Living Me!" with Florence Henderson on "Retirement Living TV."

He then took to the Broadway stage as Lumière in "Beauty and the Beast." The actor tragically passed in 2014 at the age of 67 from colorectal cancer.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Jimmy Carter Met Wife a Day after Her Birth — They Were Married for 77 Years despite His ‘Adultery’

November 20, 2023

This Girl Was Abused While Locked up in an Institution — She Got Free, Became a Millionaire & Found Family Bliss

November 24, 2023

Another Taylor Swift Fan Reported Dead at 25 in Brazil before her Sunday Concert

November 19, 2023

The Dixie Chicks Founding Member Laura Lynch Dies Prematurely at 65 — Tragic Details

December 23, 2023

Rosalynn Carter's Sister Came to Her 3 Months before Death & Made Her Tear Up — Details

November 20, 2023

Mariska Hargitay Shares How a Nun Played a Role in Her Journey to Becoming an Actress – Details

January 24, 2024

Man Leaves Wife Who Adopts Old Lady from Nursing Home until She Gets a Letter When Lady Dies — Story of the Day

February 02, 2024

Two Little Sisters Go Missing after Last Seen in Pajamas in Their Home at 11 p.m.

January 26, 2024

Taylor Swift's Fan Loses Her Life at 23 after Falling Ill during Her Idol's Concert — Tragic Details

November 19, 2023

I Asked to See My Wedding Pics & Saw My Husband Kissing Another Woman at Our Wedding

February 28, 2024

Woman Adopts Non-English Speaking Girl, Is Shocked to Uncover the Truth When She Learns to Communicate – Story of the Day

January 23, 2024

Woman Adopts Non-English Speaking Girl - Astonished to Uncover the Truth When She Learns to Communicate – Story of the Day

December 20, 2023

Lynda Carter’s Daughter Jessica Looks like Mom’s ‘Twin’ as They Pose for Stunning Photos

January 24, 2024

15 Years after Divorce, Man Sees His Ex Mother-In-Law Digging through a Dumpster – Story of the Day

February 28, 2024