Dixie Carter's death apparently due to endometrial cancer...

[hlthe2b]

and complications arising while hospitalized in Houston. I know many here who were tremendous fans of Ms. Carter will want to know. Initially, husband, Hal Holbrook had indicated he would not be releasing a cause of death, but both NYT and Houston papers are reporting.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6954363.html


RIP, Dixie. You'll be remembered.

[gateley]

1. My best friend worked on her last movie (That Evening Sun) and he said she was

charming beyond belief, but they knew she was very ill.

He said she and Hal Holbrook (who was in the film as well) loved each other SO much, he feels so bad for Mr. Holbrook.

She will be missed. RIP

[hlthe2b]

3. How long ago was that?

I'm amazed that word had not leaked out that she was ill. I suspect she was being treated at M.D. Anderson in Houston, though that was not confirmed.

I heard a recent Bob Edwards interview with Hal Holbrook on XM radio a couple of months ago, where Holbrook talks about his memoirs and how incredibly important Dixie was to him-- one of the performances they had done together, and so forth. It was a nice interview and clearly he was very much in love with Dixie.

[gateley]

4. It was released in 2009, but I THINK they shot it in 2008. Here's a link to

the site (I see there are messages about Dixie on it).

http://thateveningsun.com/

There are a couple more trailers on imdb, too.

Dixie only had a small part, so I'm not sure if she's in any of the trailers.

I'll ask Jim for more info. I just told him tonight and he hadn't heard, and he didn't sound surprised which is why I asked him if they knew she wasn't well.

[hlthe2b]

5. Ahh, yes. That is the film Holbrook spoke of to Bob Edwards

with Dixie performing a small, but important part opposite him.

Usually the Hollywood media is all over stars who become ill. For Dixie and Hal's sake, I'm glad they were left alone in this difficult time.

[gateley]

7. I agree - I'm glad it didn't become a circus like others who have died recently.

I was hoping this movie would do well -- but it was pretty low budget. Apparently it got rave reviews at all the film festivals and the NY and LA times praised it highly, but I don't think it was picked up by money people to promote. Jim and I talked about how it would be wonderful if Hal won an Oscar as he's been such an outstanding talent for so many years. I would have made Dixie proud, too.

I was so sorry to learn of her passing, and my wish is that it was a gentle crossing for her.

[applegrove]

8. That couple had such chemistry on designing women. They were so cute together.

[Maat]

2. RIP.

Healing and comforting thoughts to her family.

[abbeyco]

6. RIP to a charming, wonderful lady

I hope her family and friends find comfort and peace. I just loved Designing Women and will now watch the re-runs with a sense of sadness and joy in celebrating Dixie Carter's talent.

[eppur_se_muova]

9. Despite the liberal rants of her character on Designing Women ...

which really reflected the views of producer Linda Bloodworth-Thomason (she and her husband were both "Friends of Bill", and she wrote all (but one?) of the first season's scripts), she was a conservative Republican off-screen. I remember reading that at the time and thinking she was a good sport to play that character to the hilt when it was really so opposite to her own character. That's how good actors work.

Of course, that was back before the Repug "Revolution" made it absolute apostasy to acknowledge that the other side might have a right to a point of view on anything. I imagine Ms. Carter would have been shouted down by Repugs for playing such a "damned-to-Hell librul" today.

RIP, Ms. Carter. You set a good example. If only your party would pay heed.