Delta Burke had once been in the center of the spotlight with project after project lining up for her, but after leaving “Designing Women,” her fame and work also started to fizzle out.
After having almost not-so-successful projects, the actress decided to stay out of the spotlight and live life like a regular citizen.
Despite her many changes, her husband of more than three decades declared he would still love her no matter what. Here’s a look into Delta Burke’s life.
Delta Burke came into the limelight when she won the Miss Florida title in 1974. She went on to the Miss America Pageant, won a talent scholarship, and studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.
Burke got into film in 1979 when she starred in “The Seekers” and “The Chisholms.” However, she is best known as Suzanne Sugarbaker in the 1986 series “Designing Women.”
She started a production company that produced “Delta” and “Women of the House,” and Burke starred in both projects. Later, she started her clothing design company called Delta Burke Design.
Burke took the role of Suzanne Sugarbaker in “Designing Women” for five out of the seven seasons the show ran for because the show’s producers fired her.
After firing her, she said the executive producers, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason, psychologically abused her.
However, the executive producers and the show’s stars said Burke made things difficult for everybody, so they fired her. Burke said,
“Basically, it became unbearable into the second season for me. By the end of the fourth season, I just couldn’t live like that anymore.”
Burke described the work environment as bizarre, and people didn’t believe her. She then went to ask for help from people who had power, and they didn’t help her.
Even though she missed her character after a few months, she said she had no regrets about being off the show. After over a year, she said she had gotten used to her weight but wanted to lose some pounds.
But after leaving “Designing Women,” she changed her looks and was reportedly looking heavier than before in the next series she starred in titled “Dayo.”
In 2012, while shooting her show “Counter Culture,” Burke fell. The fall led to the cancellation of the show. After that, Burke stayed out of the spotlight for some years.
Later, when she was spotted going out for lunch, she looked entirely different. In place of her signature bouffant hair was a brunette bob, and she ditched the vivid lipstick for a relatively makeup-free face.
The actress who suffered very public weight battles had also lost some weight. Besides weight problems, she had battled with depression, hoarding problems, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
In 2008, she sought treatment at a psychiatric hospital, and even though she wasn’t looking forward to any work, she felt more than happy with life.
Burke, who is healthier and happier, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. However, she said her husband, Gerald McRaney, always reminds her what to eat and what not to eat.
Despite everything she and her husband have gone through, her husband will always love her no matter what. She said,
“Mac loves me no matter what. He loved me when I got as big as a house. He loved me when I was a blonde.”
She said her husband didn’t tell her he hated her blonde hair until she returned to brunette. He always loved her through any situation and still thinks her body looks great even though she feels it does not.
Burke and McRaney met in 1987 when she was a guest star on his detective show “Simon & Simon.” He knew he had competition, but McRaney was not ready to let her go.
McRaney asked her to marry him on their second date even though his friends were against it. They never wanted him to marry an actress, but McRaney knew only an actress would understand his work hours.
In 1989, they got married, and their marriage was McRaney’s third marriage but Burke’s first.
McRaney started acting in junior high school after injuring his knees during a football session. He was a guest star on “Gunsmoke: Hard Labor” before making his big break on “Simon & Simon” in 1981.
Burke and the “This Is Us” actor never had children together, but she became the proud stepmom to his kids from his previous marriages.
The couple worked together on different projects, and McRaney revealed that, unlike other couples, they do better when they are together 24/7.
Child’s New Friend Has a Secret—Mom’s Heart Stops When She Finds Out
Lisa’s son, Mike, wouldn’t stop talking about his new friend, Sophie. Every day after school, all she heard was Sophie this, Sophie that. Lisa was happy Mike had made a friend so quickly after they moved to the new town. But she was also curious. She wanted to meet Sophie’s mom and connect with other parents. So, when Mike asked if Sophie could come over one day, Lisa agreed.
The day finally came. Lisa drove slowly toward the school to pick up Mike. As she glanced in the rearview mirror, she saw Mike staring out of the window quietly. The silence between them felt heavy, filled with memories of their recent struggles. Moving to this town was supposed to be a fresh start, but everything still felt strange and unfamiliar. New streets, new people—it all made Lisa feel like an outsider.
Lisa hoped that moving to a new town would help her and her son, Mike, heal after his father’s death. But she worried about Mike. He had been so quiet and distant since the loss. She wondered if he would make new friends or feel comfortable in this unfamiliar place.
As Mike got out of the car for school, Lisa called out, “Have a good day, sweetie! Be brave!”
Later that day, when she picked him up, Mike’s eyes were shining, and he practically bounced to the car. “Mom! I made a new friend! Her name is Sophie!”
Lisa felt a wave of relief. Maybe this move would be good for both of them. From that day on, Sophie was all Mike talked about.
One afternoon, Lisa picked Mike up again. He ran to her with a big grin and hugged her tightly.
“Hey, buddy! You seem happy,” Lisa said as they walked to the car.
“Yeah! It was awesome!” Mike replied, beaming.
“Really? What happened?” Lisa asked.
“Sophie invited me to her house to play tomorrow!” Mike said, excitedly.
“Oh? When?” Lisa asked, glancing at him as she started the car.
“Tomorrow!” Mike replied, bouncing in his seat.
Lisa smiled. “I’ll need to talk to her mom first to make sure it’s okay,” she said.
Mike rummaged through his bag and handed her a crumpled piece of paper. “Here, Sophie gave me her mom’s number.”
Later, at home, Lisa texted the number. “Hi, I’m Lisa, Mike’s mom. He said Sophie invited him over tomorrow. Is that okay?”
A few minutes later, a reply came: “Yes, Sophie already told me. We’d love to have him over.”
Lisa felt relieved. She wanted everything to go smoothly. She texted back, “That’s great! Is there anything I should bring?”
The response came quickly: “Maybe some wine, so we moms don’t get bored!”
Lisa laughed. It seemed like Sophie’s mom had a sense of humor. She replied, “Sounds good! See you tomorrow.”
The next day, Lisa and Mike walked up to Sophie’s house. Lisa held a bottle of wine and smiled at Mike, who knocked on the door excitedly. Sophie opened it, and the two kids ran off laughing.
Lisa stood at the door, waiting. A moment later, Sophie’s mom appeared—and Lisa’s heart sank. Standing before her was Alice, her enemy from high school.
Alice’s smile was cold. “Lisa,” she said.
“Alice,” Lisa replied, her stomach dropping.
Alice crossed her arms. “You haven’t changed,” she sneered.
Lisa shot back, “And you’re still showing off in short skirts.”
The tension between them was thick as Lisa stepped inside, clutching the bottle of wine. They sat down, but barely exchanged any words. The memories of high school rushed back—Alice had always been the popular girl who humiliated Lisa. The worst memory was prom night when Alice had stolen Lisa’s date.
The bitterness lingered, and Lisa avoided Alice after that, even though Mike and Sophie stayed friends. But one day, Lisa got a call from the school. Mike had been accused of bullying Sophie. Lisa couldn’t believe it. When she arrived at the school, she saw Alice sitting there.
“What’s going on?” Lisa asked.
“Mike has been bullying Sophie,” the teacher said.
“That’s impossible!” Lisa replied, shocked.
Alice sighed dramatically. “Sophie’s told me about it several times. I had to involve the teacher.”
Lisa was furious. “Why am I only hearing this now?”
Alice’s sneer returned. “Maybe you’re not paying enough attention to your son.”
Lisa’s anger flared. “How dare you? Don’t speak about my child like that!”
The teacher tried to calm things down, but the tension was high. By the end of the meeting, Lisa stormed out, furious. She couldn’t believe Alice was causing problems again, just like in high school.
A few days later, Lisa was surprised by a knock at her door. Alice stood there, looking different.
“What do you want now?” Lisa asked, crossing her arms.
“I came to apologize,” Alice said quietly.
Lisa was shocked. “Really?”
Alice nodded. “Sophie misses Mike. I hate seeing her so upset. I lied, Lisa. Mike wasn’t bullying her.”
Lisa was stunned. “Why would you lie?”
Alice sighed. “I was jealous of you. I always have been. Even in high school.”
Lisa couldn’t believe it. “Jealous of me?”
Alice explained, “At least you had a husband who loved you. I married Scott, the guy I took from you, but he wasn’t a good man. Sophie and I left him two years ago.”
Lisa raised an eyebrow. “So, I should thank you for stealing him?”
Alice laughed sadly. “You were always better than me, Lisa. I couldn’t handle it.”
There was a long pause. Then Alice asked, “Can you forgive me?”
Lisa looked at her for a moment, then said, “Come inside. Let’s have some wine and talk.”
As Alice stepped in, she hugged Lisa, and for the first time, Lisa felt the years of anger begin to fade. They both had their struggles, but maybe now they could finally understand each other.
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