This past weekend, actress Dixie Carter passed away due to complications of endometrial cancer at the age of 70. Without a doubt, her best known role was as Julia Sugarbaker on the sitcom Designing Women (1986-1993). One of the highlights of many Designing Women episodes was when the outspoken, liberal Julia would go on a rant that would leave her adversary literally speechless. The scene below, which is very timely considering the divisive political climate in this country, is from the 1988 episode "The Candidate":Ironically, Carter was a registered Republican who described her political views as libertarian. One thing I learned over the weekend was that because Carter disagreed with many of the commentaries she had to deliver as Julia, she made a deal with the producers that for every speech she gave, Julia would get to sing a song in a future episode. When viewers were treated to scenes such as the one below (from the 1990 episode "Payne Grows Up"), I'd say a song for each speech was a good trade-off.
Do you have any favorite moments from Dixie Carter's career? If so, please share them in the comments section.
