Dixie Carter Passes Away

[SoCalNative]

Source: Entertainment Tonight online

ET breaks news that actress Dixie Carter, best known for her role as Julia Sugarbaker on the hit sitcom "Designing Women," has died. She was 70 years old.

"This has been a terrible blow to our family," her husband Hal Holbrook tells ET. "We would appreciate everyone understanding that this is a private family tragedy. Thank you."

In addition to Holbrook, her husband of nearly 26 years, the actress is survived by her two daughters Mary Dixie and Ginna.


Read more: http://www.etonline.com/news/2010/04/85796/

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RIP Julia Sugarbaker

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

1. Sad. :(

[madmax]

2. Rest in Peace, Dixie.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Sad sad sad

I loved that show. Also liked her as the addition on Different Strokes. :-(

[Swede]

4. RIP Dixie.

[joeybee12]

5. Oh phuck...how sad

RIP.

[Cirque du So-What]

6. Sorry to hear this

Although she identified as a Republican, I don't recall that she was outspoken in any wingnutty sort of way. Twenty-five years ago, however, being a Republican meant occupying the portion of the political spectrum that's currently occupied by blue-dog Democrats.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

12. She did give $1000 to Bill Clinton in the 1991 primary, according to Newsmeat.

http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Dixie_Carter.php

[DURHAM D]

19. She campaigned for Al Gore as I recall.

Its the Tennessee connection.

[Haole Girl]

34. Check your facts.

http://www.theadvocates.org/celebrities/dixie-carter.html

[Cirque du So-What]

50. Could you possibly restate that comment addressed to me in a more condenscending manner?

Believe it or not, I actually haven't yet gotten my daily allotment of snark, so lay it on even thicker! If there's one fucking thing that DU needs more of, it's snark!

http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Dixie_Carter.php

I see that she donated to Bill Clinton as well, but that didn't make her a Democrat. In fact, I don't see any political contributions to the Libertarian party listed at Newsmeat. In fact, the article to which you linked is further proof of the assertion that Libertarians are just Republicans who believe people should be able to smoke pot.

And then there's this:

Through her work in Designing Women, Carter developed a special bond with the gay community. "I feel like I have enjoyed a friendship and a lasting loyalty from the gay community, " she says. "And when I can, I try to reciprocate that friendship. "

Of the coming gala, Carter beams, "I get to be on the stage with two absolute icons -- and I'm thrilled. I don't quite put myself in their category. "

"These special events are more than fundraisers for us, " says the Clinic's Baker. "They're affirmations of the work that the Clinic does. And it's a way for people to move that work forward and join together for the evening to affirm their own commitment to that work and be a part of it."

http://www.metroweekly.com/arts_entertainment/concert.php?ak=1040

How many other Republican celebrities have lent their support to an AIDS benefit? I hope that doesn't require more snark to answer, as I'm just throwing out the question to anyone who cares to research it further. I make no bold assertions or make no flat statements, so I hope 'check your facts' doesn't apply in this case.

[Captain Hilts]

58. I don't think so. That's about as condescending as it gets. nt

[BrklynLiberal]

7. Enjoyed her in Designing Women.

[The Wielding Truth]

8. Ahh.. loved her from The Edge of Night days as Brandy.

[auntAgonist]

9. May she rest in peace. Hal Holbrook just

postponed his show in Flint MI. We were to see him this evening in the Mark Twain production. How sad :(

[hlthe2b]

10. OH NO! I nearly fell off my chair reading this!

I ADORED Dixie Carter, aka Julia Sugarbaker and I've always loved her husband Hal Holbrook as well. This one really has me upset.

RIP, Ms. Carter. You were the epitome of elegance and a fine actress.

[Oceansaway]

11. RIP Ms. Sugarbaker...n/t

[RFKHumphreyObama]

13. That's sad

I remember seeing her in "Desperate Housewives" a few years ago

A fine and talented actress. May she rest in peace and my deepest, sincerest and most heartfelt thoughts, prayers, condolences and sympathies to those who knew and loved her

[femmocrat]

14. Oh no! She was one of my favorites!

She was wonderful on Designing Women. Wonder what happened?

[OhioChick]

15. She played the part of Julia Sugarbaker exceptionally well...

RIP

[Brickbat]

16. Well, hell. She was awesome. I can't decide which is my favorite tirade:

The Georgia one:

Julia: Excuse me, aren't you Marjorie Leigh Winnick, the current Miss Georgia World?

Marjorie: Why, yes I am.

Julia: I'm Julia Sugarbaker, Suzanne Sugarbaker's sister. I couldn't help over hearing part of your conversation.

Marjorie: Well, I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was here.

Julia: Yes, and I gather from your comments there are a couple of other things you don't know, Marjorie. For example, you probably didn't know that Suzanne was the only contestant in Georgia pageant history to sweep every category except congeniality, and that is not something the women in my family aspire to anyway. Or that when she walked down the runway in her swimsuit, five contestants quit on the spot. Or that when she emerged from the isolation booth to answer the question, "What would you do to prevent war?" she spoke so eloquently of patriotism, battlefields and diamond tiaras, grown men wept. And you probably didn't know, Marjorie, that Suzanne was not just any Miss Georgia, she was the Miss Georgia. She didn't twirl just a baton, that baton was on fire. And when she threw that baton into the air, it flew higher, further, faster than any baton has ever flown before, hitting a transformer and showering the darkened arena with sparks! And when it finally did come down, Marjorie, my sister caught that baton, and 12,000 people jumped to their feet for sixteen and one-half minutes of uninterrupted thunderous ovation, as flames illuminated her tear-stained face! And that, Marjorie - just so you will know - and your children will someday know - is the night the lights went out in Georgia!

Or the "It has been the men" one:

In general it has been the men who have done the raping and the robbing and the killing and the war-mongering for the last two thousand years.... and it's been the men who have done the pillaging and the beheading and the subjecting of whole races into slavery. It has been the men who have done the law making and the money making and the most of the mischief making! So if the world isn't quite what you had in mind you have only yourselves to thank!

[blaze]

24. Julia Rants!!!

OMG!!!

The absolute *best* thing about Designing Women!

Those rants were amazing!!

RIP dear woman. You did good.

[merh]

48. Give kudos to the writers, not to Dixie Carter.

She was not the liberal that her character Julia Sugarbaker was.

Political views

Carter was also a registered Republican who described her political views as libertarian.<4> She was interviewed by Bill O'Reilly along with Pat Boone at the 2000 Republican National Convention. Though her Designing Women character, Julia Sugarbaker, was known for her liberal political views and subsequent monologues, Carter disagreed with many of her character's left-of-center commentaries, and made a deal with the producers that for every speech she gave, Julia would get to sing a song in a future episode.<5> Carter once jokingly described herself as "the only Republican in show business".<6>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie_Carter

Everyone believing that she was a liberal just goes to show what a fine actress she truly was.

May she rest in peace.

[ellie]

54. Yes! That is what I remember

about her. She was a Republican and disagreed with everything she said on the show. I was pretty bummed out about it at the time.

[The Backlash Cometh]

31. sigh...

She really knew how to bring out southern eloquence like nobody could.

[avaistheone1]

17. The loss of a classy talented lady.

Didn't she believe in HCH Human Growth Hormone for youthfulness? I hope her passing had nothing to do with that drug.




RIP
Sweet,saucy Dixie.

[madmax]

21. I was wondering what is the cause of death

The way Mr. Holbrook stated, a 'private family tragedy', makes it sound like she took her own life.

You will be missed Dixie/Julia

[avaistheone1]

28. Perhaps so.

I wonder if a side effect of long-term HGH use is depression and suicidal thoughts.

I found this article about HGH use in Hollywood and it does referance Dixie Carter as a user. She was pretty upfront about her usage.





Many top Hollywood stars are taking injections of a powerful substance that could kill them - all in an attempt to stay young. Desperate stars have gotten hooked on a drug - costing as much as $2,000 a month - that experts warn can increase the risk of breast, colon and prostate cancer as well as diabetes. An in-depth ENQUIRER investigation exposed Hollywood's newest craze - which ensnares both young and old. We spoke with advocates of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) - and those bitterly opposed to its use. While insiders are reluctant to break the Hollywood code of silence and "out" stars taking HGH, The ENQUIRER has learned that many A-list celebrities have been linked to the highly controversial fountain of youth drug. "I've been taking the hormone (HGH)," confessed "Designing Women" star Dixie Carter, 65. Dixie is one of very few stars who openly admits to taking the powerful drug. Some linked to HGH deny taking it and one of them, 59-year-old Goldie Hawn, wants ENQUIRER readers to know she considers HGH potentially very dangerous. Have these stars used HGH": Pam Anderson, 37, Janet Jackson, 38, Jessica Simpson, 24, Madonna, 46, Jenny McCarthy, 32,Demi Moore, 42, Brad Pitt, 41, Marla Maples, 41, Nick Nolte, 64,Britney Spears, 23, Jennifer Aniston, 35,Dean Cain, 38, Courteney Cox, 40, and George Hamilton, 65.

SKIN EXPERT LOVES IT
Erika Janes, a licensed esthetician and skin-care specialist to many celebrities, recommends HGH to her clients, although she refused to disclose which ones use it. Janes claims her clients include Madonna, Pamela Anderson, Marla Maples and Dean Cain. "I work out of a doctor's office, as well as treat celebrities in their homes," Janes told The ENQUIRER. "Many of my clients take HGH. They are some of the most beautiful women in the world." "HGH is the current trend taking Hollywood by storm," declares celebrity image consultant Daniel DiCriscio - whose client list reads like a "Who's Who of Hollywood." But Dr. Neal Barnard - a respected public health and nutrition expert at the Washington, D.C.- based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine - told The ENQUIRER: "HGH can be deadly - and there is no evidence it can rejuvenate people."

DARK SIDE <.snip>

RESTRICTED USE HGH was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1985, but its legal use is restricted to the treatment of children with growth deficiencies. "Any other use of HGH is contrary to FDA guidelines," says Dr. Samuel Epstein, professor emeritus of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health. "What we see now is a multimillion-dollar scam business. HGH increases the risk of developing colon, breast and prostate cancer," declared Dr. Epstein, an international authority on avoidable causes of cancer. Other experts link HGH megadoses - the amounts routinely taking by many stars - to diabetes, organ failure, the worsening of existing cancers, and serious kidney and liver problems. But celebrity image consultant DiCriscio told The ENQUIRER, "With today's fashion emphasis on low-riding jeans and bare midriffs, the pressure is on celebs to look the best and the tightest they can. "I think stars like Janet Jackson and Jessica Simpson look as though they may be using HGH to get those 'superhuman' bodies. "To me, Madonna's body looks like an advertisement for HGH use. Even after giving birth to two children, her abs and lower stomach are very lean and tight." Santa Monica, Calif., chiropractor Dr. Michele Bosten - who uses HGH herself and also advocates its use to her celebrity patients - counts Madonna as a client and even quit her private practice for several months this past summer to accompany the Material Girl on her ReInvention Tour. Dr. Bosten raves on her Web site: "The potential of HGH is to turn back the clock 10 or 20 years." Dixie Carter is thrilled with the results of HGH. "I feel better," she told an interviewer. "My body seems firmer and in better shape. My complexion looks better, with hair that is thick and looks great. My legs feel strong and I don't tire as easily as I used to. I believe this is all because of the hormones." George Hamilton is another one "who appears to have found the fountain of youth, which is what HGH has been proven to provide," says Dr. Ronald Klatz, founder and president of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and author of "Grow Young with HGH." Nick Nolte attended a conference on the hormone treatment and "seemed extremely interested in HGH," reports Dr. Klatz.

PAYING A PRICE <.snip>

DEVIL'S BARGAIN
Another danger of HGH, said Dr. Darrow, is that users seek to find sources of injectable HGH outside the United States, where quality assurance may be compromised. And other research has shown that HGH injections can also trigger carpal tunnel syndrome, coarsening of facial features, joint pain and fluid retention. "When you decide to sell out to HGH, you are dealing with the devil," say the Barbi twins. "You risk trading your longterm good health for a briefly toned body and soft, wrinklefree skin." As the HGH craze sweeps Hollywood, some well-informed celebrities are very aware of its dangers. Dean Cain told The ENQUIRER: "I've never come close to touching HGH." Jennifer Aniston and Demi Moore's reps say their clients don't use HGH. And a spokesperson for Pamela Anderson told The ENQUIRER: "Pamela doesn't even know what that is (HGH)." Dr. Howard Bellin, a renowned New York plastic surgeon, summed up the problems with the treatment when he told a reporter, "I know many of the leading scientists who've done studies on HGH, and none will take it themselves. "It has a number of side effects, and there is no scientific evidence that it even has the antiaging qualities many take it for.

http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/63095

[mac56]

18. very sad

She was a lovely woman.

[redirish28]

20. This is my wife's favorite Julia Sugarbaker Rant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVl4bmGcn3c

[DURHAM D]

22. Yep - "Its the Men!"

Mine too.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

23. Aw, Designing Women was one of the last sitcoms I actually watched

:-(

[wisteria]

25. I am shocked to read this. I have seen her on TV recently doing a public service announcement about

a medical affliction that cause twisted and painful necks. She looked great-no where near 70 years old. May she RIP.

[Ex Lurker]

30. Reading between the lines of Hal Holbrook's statement, it was sudden, and probably unexpected n/t

[piedmont]

26. Dang, that's awful. She and Hal Holbrook were my favorite husband/wife acting duo. nt

[NOLALady]

27. RIP.

My favorite rant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV86kehwkc0&feature=related

[Ex Lurker]

29. the freepers are effusive. they seem to think she's some kind of conservative icon

I don't know anything about her personal convictions, but the few times I saw designing women, her character struck me as fairly progressive.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

35. They may have her confused with Delta Burke, who is conservative, as I recall

:shrug:

[Captain Hilts]

52. No, Carter was a Republican also. nt

[WinstonSmith4740]

37. She actually was a pretty staunch Reagan Republican.

But I do recall her saying in an interview a few years back that her stint as Julia had help "soften" her stances. I really think today's Republican Party had probably turned her off. Hell, considering even Reagan wouldn't sit too well with today's wing-nuts, the tea-baggers would probably consider her a radical. Loved her rants as Julia. I think my favorite was when she ripped a man that had approached her a new one, and he later turned out to be the guy who was auditing her books.
She had incredible style and class, and will be missed.

[cherish44]

32. Beautiful, classy lady

and a great actress, she'll be missed :(

[Haole Girl]

33. Beautiful woman. Great actress.

70? Where does the time go? R.I.P. Dixie.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3LJPfFWsx0I/SicwmsXiGzI/AAAAAAAAAJg/5SJQrRe5Plw/s320/Designing+women.jpg

[onpatrol98]

36. Awwww

I absolutely LOVED Dixie Carter in everything she played in. I still watch Designing Women reruns and actually Golden Girl reruns, too. There was nothing like a Julia Sugarbaker rant!

The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV86kehwkc0

Men Versus Women
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVl4bmGcn3c

Julia Fashion Show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TK4wyMviss

Julia & Gabby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr0rfwkWiFM

Jury Duty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tikaHHRIWM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZHw7XWky_A&NR=1

The Candidate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnMn-ObT0r8

[no_hypocrisy]

38. Dixie Carter died.

Dixie Carter -- best known for her role on the television show "Designing Women" -- passed away at the age of 70.

Her husband, Hal Holbrook, told "Entertainment Tonight, "This has been a terrible blow to our family ... We would appreciate everyone understanding that this is a private family tragedy. Thank you."

Carter played Julia Sugarbaker on "Designing Women" from 1986-1993. She earned an Emmy nomination in 2007 for her guest stint on "Desperate Housewives."

She is survived by her two daughters, Mary Dixie and Ginna.


http://www.tmz.com/2010/04/10/dixie-carter-dies-designing-women/

[Liberal_in_LA]

39. "private family tragedy". accident rather than normal causes? RIP Dixie

[jemsan]

40. So sad...She was one of a kind.

[cherish44]

43. obviously an unexpected death

I hope she didn't take her own life...no matter it happened it's awful :(

[SoCalNative]

44. She had recently undergone surgery

found links to a couple of stories about a play she was supposed to have done but had to back out because she wouldn't be recovered from the surgery in time for rehearsals...

"Of course I will always do anything the Mighty Kahn asks me to do," Elizabeth Ashley jokes in that husky drawl of hers. The Broadway veteran will take on the title role in "Mrs. Warren's Profession" for Michael Kahn's Shakespeare Theatre Company, where the George Bernard Shaw play runs June 8-July 11. Dixie Carter, who was originally cast in the role, is recovering from surgery and can't be ready for rehearsals in May.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/06/AR2010040603191.html


Elizabeth Ashley to Replace Dixie Carter in Shakespeare Theatre Company's Mrs. Warren's Profession

http://www.theatermania.com/washington-dc/news/03-2010/elizabeth-ashley-to-replace-dixie-carter-in-shakes_26028.html



Ms. Ashley will take over the role that was recently vacated by Dixie Carter. To her great sadness, Dixie Carter will be unable to perform in Mrs. Warren's Profession. Ms. Carter has undergone surgery which is requiring a longer recuperation period than was anticipated. Artistic Director Michael Kahn was "extremely saddened to learn that Dixie would not be able to join us for Mrs. Warren's Profession. However, her health is of most importance to us and we want her to take care of herself first and foremost."

http://dc.broadwayworld.com/article/Elizabeth_Ashley_To_Star_In_Shakespeare_Theatre_Cos_MRS_WARRENS_PROFESSION_20100324

[Liberal_in_LA]

46. Ok... thanks for the additional info.

[merh]

55. According to the NYT

Her death was announced by her husband, the actor Hal Holbrook, who said that the cause was complications of endometrial cancer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/arts/television/12carter.html

[Subdivisions]

41. Wow, that one came out of nowhere. RIP Dixie. n/t

[Captain Hilts]

42. One of my favorite conservatives. Rest easy ol' girl. nt

[Patsy Stone]

45. I'm very sad to hear that.

RIP, Dixie. :(

[Janice325]

47. Oh, no!!

I'm surprised how upset I am about her passing. I'm not hysterical or anything like that, it's just that it seems like her dying came out of left field or something, it was so unexpected. I'm very sad.........:cry:

I guess I expected her to live forever.

RIP, Ms. Carter. You were definitely a very classy, one of a kind lady, who will be missed. My condolences to her family.

[NanceGreggs]

49. RIP, Sweet Dixie ...

You gave me more laughs than I deserved - and a lot to think about while I was laughin'.

[ThatsMyBarack]

51. I remember her as Maggie on Diff'rent Strokes.

As Phil Drummond's second wife.

RIP, Dixie.

[otohara]

53. RIP & Condolences to Hal Holbrook

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[girl gone mad]

56. One of the all time great voices on television.

I saw a picture of her taken very recently and, though she didn't look to be in the best of health, she was still radiant.

[liberalla]

57. Oh shoot... I liked her.

My sincere condolences to her family.