Delta Burke- Biography

Also Credited As:

Delta Ramona Leah Burke

About Delta Burke

Burke's wide-eyed, rapid-fire line delivery and scene-stealing comic timing enlivened just such a role in "Designing Women" (CBS, 1986-91), a successful sitcom about four high-profile but highly diverse interior decorators. Unfortunately, Burke has also made tabloid news with her weight problems, her temperament-induced spats with producers, and her marriage to TV actor Gerald McRaney ("Simon and Simon", "Major Dad"). Her subsequent attempts to find a comedy vehicle have been unsuccessful. "Delta" (ABC, 1992-93), which featured her as a bleached blonde who moved to Nashville to pursue the dream of becoming a country singing star, did not appeal to a wide audience, nor did her reprise of her most famous character, Suzanne Sugarbaker in "Women of the House" (CBS, 1995). Burke returned to sitcoms playing the First Lady in "DAG" (CBS, 2000- ).

Partners

Husband

Gerald McRaney. Born in 1948; met during a guest appearance on Burke's sitcom "Designing Women" (CBS); married May 28, 1989; renewed vows June 23, 1991 after completing work on a TV-movie together, "Love and Curses"

Family

Mother

Jean Burke.

Education

London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

Career Milestones

2006

Had a recurring role on ABC's "Boston Legal" as a former flame of William Shatner's character

2005

Appeared on Broadway in the play "Steel Magnolias"

2001

Headlined the Lifetime movie "Dangerous Child"

2000

Returned to regular series work co-starring with David Alan Grier in the NBC sitcom "DAG"

1999

Played recurring role as a teen's mother on "Popular" (WB)

1998

Published the non-fiction Delta Style: Eve Wasn't a Size 6 and Neither am I

1995

Reprised role of Suzanne Sugarbaker in the short-lived CBS comedy "Women of the House"; also served as executive producer with Harry Thomason and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason

1992

Starred (also co-executive produced) in the short-lived ABC series, "Delta" as an aspiring country singer

1992

Formed own production company, Perseverance Inc.

1991

Debut as executive producer with the TV-movie "Love and Curses"

1990

Served as a judge for the Miss America Pageant

1988

Acted with husband, Gerald McRaney in the CBS TV-movie, "Where the Hell's That Gold?!!?"

1986

Played the sometimes selfish but usually soft-hearted Suzanne Sugarbaker in the CBS sitcom, "Designing Women"; earned two consecutive Best Actress Emmy nominations in 1990 and 1991; let go from her contract at the end of the 5th season due to her contentious relations with star Dixie Carter and the shows creators

1984

Cast as Diane Barrow, divorcee owner of a ramshackle football team, in HBO's comedy program, "First and Ten"

1982

Cast as Kathleen Beck in the CBS sitcom, "Filthy Rich"; also featured Dixie Carter in the cast

1980

Had featured role of Bonnie Sue Chisholm in the short-lived CBS series, "The Chisholms"

1979

Essayed first leading role in a TV-movie, NBC's "Charleston" as determined Southern belle Stella Farrell

1978

TV-movie debut, the NBC teen comedy, "Zuma Beach"

Began competing in beauty pageants at age 16; appeared in Miss America contest as Miss Florida