Gerard McRaney Opens Up About Delta Burke's Decision to Step Away from the Limelight
Delta Burke's husband, Gerard McRaney, recently shared his perspective on why the beloved actress chose to retreat from the public eye. Speaking candidly to People in a March 2 interview, the 77-year-old actor explained that Delta had grown weary of the tabloid circus surrounding her career. "She just had enough of it all," McRaney revealed. "The dust-up she had on Designing Women really took a toll on her. It wasn't the acting she disliked—it was everything else that came with it."
In his thoughtful reflection, McRaney elaborated, "Delta truly loved the craft of acting, but the constant scrutiny and pressure just wore her down. It's a shame because she was so talented, but sometimes the price of fame can be too high. Ultimately, she decided it might be better for her well-being to step away from the industry altogether."
Delta Burke's Iconic Role on Designing Women and the Difficult Decision to Leave
Delta Burke, now 68, became a household name for her portrayal of Suzanne Sugarbaker on the classic sitcom Designing Women, which aired from 1986 to 1991. Her departure from the series, however, was anything but amicable. Reports suggest that a high-profile disagreement with the show's creator, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, led to her exit.
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In a rare interview with Chelsea Devantez on the "Glamorous Trash" podcast in April 2024, Delta opened up about the tumultuous circumstances surrounding her departure. "It was a really difficult time," she admitted. "I loved being on Designing Women at first. It was everything I dreamed of. But then things changed, and I couldn't ignore the strain it was putting on me. Fame was something I just wasn't equipped to handle."
Delta went on to explain that while she wanted to leave the show, she felt trapped by contractual obligations. "I wasn't allowed to leave, even though I knew it was the right decision for me. It was heartbreaking because I adored my character, Suzanne. She grew so much over those five seasons, and I'll always cherish that part of my career."
Delta Reflects on Her Relationship with Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Delta also touched on her professional relationship with Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, with whom she worked on several projects, including the 1982 sitcom Filthy Rich and the 1995 series Women of the House. "Linda and I have a complicated history," Delta confessed. "She's an incredible writer and producer, and I owe a lot of my success to her. But there were definitely moments where we clashed creatively. At one point, it felt like we were at each other's throats, but thankfully, we both survived it."
Life After Designing Women: Delta's Continued Career and Reflections
After leaving Designing Women, Delta continued to act in various roles throughout the next two decades. Her most recent credit was a 2019 appearance on Dolly Parton's Heartstrings. Despite her success, Delta expressed regret over the toll Hollywood took on her mental health. "Hollywood can really mess with your mind," she admitted on the podcast. "I always thought being a famous actress meant being respected and admired, but that's not what it turned out to be. Once I became famous, I realized it wasn't what I wanted at all. By the time I figured that out, it was too late to turn back."
Facing Scrutiny and Finding Strength
Throughout her career, Delta faced relentless criticism about her weight, which inspired her 1998 memoir, Delta Style: Eve Wasn't a Size 6 and Neither Am I. During her appearance on "Glamorous Trash," she revealed a shocking truth about her struggle with body image. "In the '80s, I was so desperate to lose weight that I even tried crystal meth," she confessed. "Nobody knew about it back then, but they told me to chop it up and snort it. I didn't want to snort it, so I mixed it with cranberry juice instead. I wouldn't eat for days after that, but it didn't change how people saw me. They still said my butt was too big, my legs were too thick. Looking back now, I realize I was absolutely gorgeous."
