The Story Behind Delta Burke's Dramatic Designing Women Departure

Table Of Content

• Life
• Delta Burke is in-demand as a voice actor
• Delta Burke looks back on 'Designing Women' exit, and using crystal meth to lose weight
• This Star Is Now Living Privately with Famous Spouse - He Proposed on 2nd Date & Still Loves Her at Any Weight
• The Real Reason Delta Burke Was Fired From 'Designing Women'

While Delta Burke has come into and out of the spotlight afforded by television since the 1980s, she's spent a great deal of time and effort off-screen coping with and treating a series of mental health issues. In January 2008, according to ABC News, Burke admitted herself to a psychiatric facility for depression. That topped years of anxiety and panic attacks, which she often endured on the set of "Designing Women," during rehearsals.

Life

She explained that while she was in drama school in London, a doctor gave her pills to help her lose weight, but when she came to the United States, she didn't realize that the "Black Beauties" that she had been prescribed were illegal stateside. “Designing Women" alum Delta Burke says her "ugly" experience on the hit CBS sitcom drove her away from Los Angeles, and her long-time struggle with her weight led her to use crystal meth to keep off the pounds. Delta Burke's ascent to stardom through her role in the beloved sitcom "Designing Women" was as unexpected as it was impactful. Although the heights her career reached were unforeseen, Burke recognizes the true value of her time on the show.

Delta Burke is in-demand as a voice actor

In 1980, Burke portrayed the role of the second Bonnie Sue Chisholm in the CBS western miniseries, The Chisholms. Burke spent a year on Filthy Rich in 1982 playing the wily young widow, Kathleen Beck. After that, she played football team owner Diane Barrow on 1st & Ten from 1984 to 1986.

Delta Burke looks back on 'Designing Women' exit, and using crystal meth to lose weight

She took on some small roles in the 1980s on The Chisholms, Filthy Rich, and 1st & Ten. Burke first made a name for herself when she was cast as Suzanne Sugarbaker – a former beauty pageant queen – on Designing Women. "Whatever went down that was bad, it was worth because I met him," she said. "No one had ever loved me completely for me, not even my mother or grandmother. They would judge what I looked like. He never did."

"In our third act, I get to be in a place that makes me so happy. I don't think I've ever been this happy or content... I love my life truly for the first time and I love him desperately. I know that I am safe and I'm loved. I didn't feel that there." The pilot boasted a formidable cast, which included Margo Martindale ("Justified"), Kerri Kenney ("Reno 911"), and Burke as the sisters, with "Everybody Loves Raymond" star Doris Roberts playing their aunt. Unfortunately, an accident that Burke suffered on set while shooting the first episode of "Counter Culture" sealed the show's doom. Per Deadline, the actor endured a fall so severe that she was set to be laid up and unable to work for weeks.

More From the Los Angeles Times

While they don't have children together, McRaney, married twice before, has adult children from previous relationships. The Hollywood stars live supporting each other throughout their professional and personal endeavors, standing faithfully at several award shows. He also became Tim Ryder, a Vietnam War veteran addicted to heroin, in "Hawaii Five-O" and starred in numerous episodes of Marvel's superhero's television adaptation of "The Incredible Hulk."

Restyling an ordinary split level house with additional bedrooms, sunken living room, and a home office for an executive with a growing family. By the time Burke was unceremoniously dismissed from the show due to her apparent complex attitude to work with, she had weighed 215 pounds, her heaviest. "Delta disappeared from Hollywood because the industry and the people in it were becoming detrimental to her health," the insider revealed to OK! "Now she's older, wiser and in a good place. She finally feels ready to break her silence." Just because she stayed away from acting doesn’t mean Burke hasn’t done anything.

This Star Is Now Living Privately with Famous Spouse - He Proposed on 2nd Date & Still Loves Her at Any Weight

The new home represents everything Burke envisioned, fulfilling her childhood memories. Since stepping back from acting, Burke has embraced a simpler life, focusing on her passion for antiques. She and McRaney enjoy a quiet life in Los Angeles, appreciating the peace far removed from Hollywood's hustle. One of the unique aspects of their relationship is their approach to dealing with conflicts. Burke noted, that they were each crazy in their own way and made way for one another's uniqueness. Their dynamic is built on acceptance and understanding rather than an expectation of perfection.

She works as a clothing designer and manager of Delta Burke Designs in New York City, and she and McRaney share ownership of an antique store in Mississippi. She reported, “Everything is fine, I’m just not very exciting right now,” with no Hollywood work on the calendar. Instead, she has been focusing on her marriage, which she speaks very highly of. Perhaps the most important thing she achieved during this time away from the spotlight was coming to accept herself, according to someone close to her, after years of tabloid ridicule for her appearance and her weight.

So writer and co-creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, whom she worked with on "Filthy Rich," agreed to write her "light" and help her character grow. The personal conflicts Burke experienced were not just professional but deeply personal. She has spoken about feeling judged and undervalued, not only by industry peers but also by close family members. She revealed the lack of emotional support she endured from everyone other than her husband. However, the glitz and glamour of television came with its own set of challenges. The competitive nature of show business, coupled with intense public scrutiny, gradually sapped her enthusiasm.

She has also starred in the Broadway productions of Thoroughly Modern Millie (2003) and Steel Magnolias (2005). Delta Burke spent much of her high school years competing in beauty pageants. She won a scholarship through the Miss America Organization, which allowed her to attend a program at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

This withdrawal marked a significant shift from her previous public persona to a more introspective life. In this phase of her life, she was more focused on her mental well-being and personal happiness. Reflecting on both the good and bad times, Burke shared, "Whatever went down that was bad, it was worth because I met him. [sic]" While on "Designing Women" Burke earned critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Her character, strong, outspoken, and unapologetically feminine, became an iconic representation of Southern charm mixed with fierce independence. Sadly, much was made of Burke's fluctuating weight both on the show and in tabloids. In fact, the actor admitted that during the show's earliest seasons, she went to shocking lengths to maintain her pageant-queen weight.

Annie Potts on ‘Young Sheldon,’ ‘Designing Women,’ ‘Ghostbusters,’ and Finding the Love of Her Life After Three ... - Glamour

Annie Potts on ‘Young Sheldon,’ ‘Designing Women,’ ‘Ghostbusters,’ and Finding the Love of Her Life After Three ....

Posted: Thu, 31 Mar 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Unfortunately, "DAG" wouldn't provide the career comeback or prove the star vehicle Burke and her team probably hoped it would. Failing to draw many "Designing Women" diehard fans, "Delta" lasted just one season of 15 episodes, and ranked a lowly 71st in the annual TV ratings. These days, Delta Burke, who is best known for portraying the self-centered ex-beauty queen on the 1980s hit show "Designing Women," keeps a much lower profile.

Born Gerald Lee McRaney on August 19, 1947, in Mississippi, the actor worked in the Louisiana oil fields before joining the entertainment industry. He began his career with minor roles in "Gunsmoke," "The Dukes of Hazzard," and "The Rockford Files." She received both her bachelor of arts degree in history, and her master of arts degree in history from Western University. Her research focused on military, environmental, and Canadian history with a specific focus on the Second World War. As a student, she worked in a variety of research positions, including as an archivist.