This ’80s Hollywood Icon Was Mocked For Her Weight & Left The Spotlight – Her Husband Stayed By Her Side For 35 Years
Because of her obvious weight increase, she was harshly abused and “tortured” by the media, which resulted in terrible days and difficult personal struggles. Watch this 1980s TV legend’s ascent to stardom, her subsequent hardships, and the unwavering love that gave her hope.
But one thing stayed the same throughout it all: her husband’s unwavering love. He helped her rebuild her life away from the spotlight by providing her with strength and support while the public focused on her difficulties.
A Bright Future Overshadowed by Public Criticism
This actress gained recognition and adoration in 1986 when she was cast as Suzanne Sugarbaker in the popular sitcom “Designing Women,” because to her remarkable charisma and witty comedic timing.
She captivated audiences with her sharp wit and indisputable appeal, and it appeared that she would have a long and prosperous career. However, as the fame grew, the demands of Hollywood started to severely harm her self-esteem and mental health.
The actress, who had battled depression since adolescence, was battling it behind the scenes. The illness deteriorated by the conclusion of the second season of the show, resulting in times when she would totally isolate herself.
She then disclosed, “Basically, I would shut down and hole up,” “Until I left this gloomy area, I wouldn’t want to leave the flat. It was quite incapacitating.
As terrible panic episodes started to interfere with her job in the fourth season of the show, her troubles became more visible. Her whole body would frequently tremble during these terrible occurrences.
During these times, she would receive much-needed comfort from her co-star and close friend Dixie Carter, who would lie next to her and soothe her.
The actress persevered in her role despite these personal struggles, but her weight gain quickly came under constant media attention. Tabloids made fun of her appearance as her form altered, calling her derogatory names like “Delta Bulk.”
It was emotionally heartbreaking to see such nasty coverage. “The tabloid machine tortured [her],” eventually stated co-star Annie Potts. The actress, a former Miss Florida, reflected on the public’s fascination with her physique and wondered why she was so mocked.
“I did not deserve this in any way. She questioned, “Why are they so cruel?” She pointed out that many women in Hollywood were severely criticized for putting on weight, drawing comparisons between her difficulties and those of famous people like Elizabeth Taylor.
The celebrity turned to eating for comfort as a result of her depression and public humiliation. “When I would be depressed in L.A., it would be, ‘Let’s just have one Stouffer’s macaroni and cheese after another,’” she said.
But physical hunger wasn’t the only factor contributing to the weight gain. It represented more profound emotional conflicts that she was unable to overcome. Tension with the show’s producers arose as the actress’s weight gradually increased to 215 pounds.
Physically and emotionally spent, the actress requested to be released from her contract at one time. “I wanted to leave, and I wasn’t allowed to leave,” she said. The showrunners lobbied for her return to the show.
Rather, she was admitted to a hospital by a worried friend. “I appeared to be a wounded animal, according to the nurse. Existence wasn’t truly what I wanted. I was 170 pounds when they weighed me, and I wanted to die,” she said.
For a while, despite these difficulties, things were improving. The actress reportedly “backed off” after rumors about her weight surfaced because she didn’t want to fuel the flames.
Rather, she approached Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, the show’s creator, with a daring suggestion: include a segment on her weight increase on “Designing Women.”
“I didn’t want to contribute to their harm. As I played Suzanne, I was also growing impatient. I wanted to present her in a different light. The actress disclosed, “I went to Linda and discussed creating a show on the weight with her.
This led to a novel plot point, “They Shoot Fat Women, Don’t They,” in which her character struggles with body image.
The actress received a standing ovation from the studio audience and received her first Emmy nomination for the critically acclaimed episode. Bloodworth-Thomason’s husband was later found to have sobbed as he read the screenplay.
The actress was fired from the show in 1991 as a result of the ongoing problems behind the scenes, notwithstanding this success. Her dismissal had a significant effect.
She withdrew from the spotlight, feeling abandoned by an industry she had dedicated her life to and rejected by Hollywood. In 1995, she and her spouse came to New Orleans in search of a new beginning after selling their Pasadena house.
Her life changed as a result of the relocation, which freed her from the demands of Hollywood. While there, she accepted who she was, started a plus-size clothing company, and wrote her biography, “Delta Style: Eve Wasn’t a Size 6 and Neither Am I.”
However, difficulties remained. She had a really difficult year in 1997. She supported her mother, who was fighting breast cancer, while grieving the loss of her grandparents and a cherished cat.
She received a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis that same year. “I knew I had to lose some more weight,” she stated. She steadied her weight at 150 pounds, the same weight she was at the time of her marriage, by gradually adopting a healthier lifestyle.
The former Hollywood celebrity revealed years later that she had used crystal meth to lose weight. She began using prescribed medications while enrolled at a London drama school.
The actress, however, found someone on set to procure the pills for her once she returned to the United States and discovered they were prohibited. She eventually developed a tolerance to the tablets, and in order to control her weight, crystal meth was suggested.
“Nobody knew about crystal meth at the time,” she stated in a 2024 podcast. She would take the drug before work and go days without eating. Thankfully, the actress’s life improved after she met her husband.
A Love That Persisted During Every Season
Burke’s life took a tragic turn in 1987 when she met Gerald McRaney, a talented actor who played Dash Goff, the ex-husband of her character Suzanne on “Designing Women.”
Early on, McRaney made his intentions apparent, and their on-screen chemistry quickly developed into a real-life romance. “He asked me to marry him on the second date, so we were pretty committed!” Burke laughed as he remembered.
“I wasn’t going to let her get away,” McRaney subsequently said. I had competitors already. I was intending to move in immediately soon, and she was getting dates from people.
The bride weighed 170 pounds on her wedding day, and the couple wed in 1989 in a spectacular ceremony that was seen by 500 guests, including Burke’s co-stars. McRaney was Burke’s rock from the start, providing him with unwavering love and support.
He was steadfast in his support even when she was subjected to constant scrutiny because of her weight. Burke stated, “The weight never mattered to him,” “He told me that honest to God he didn’t care, which of course I didn’t believe.”
McRaney shared his own thoughts on their partnership. “[…] If what you want is a trophy wife, then be happy with how empty and vacuous that’ll turn out to be,” he stated. “However, you love that individual if you want a bride. “Period.”
During one of Burke’s lowest points, McRaney’s commitment was very apparent. She became so depressed after being fired from “Designing Women” and the constant insults from the media. She was by herself in her car one night, taking medications and thinking about ending her life.
She contacted McRaney in a desperate attempt. “I didn’t know where I was, but he found me,” she stated. Burke’s spouse supported her through every hardship as she rebuilt her life, showing her love and support.
He encouraged her to change to a healthy lifestyle after learning that she had diabetes. The actress was frequently in awe of her husband’s steadfast love.
Her words, “Mac loves me no matter what,” “When I grew to the size of a house, he loved me. […] I can tell you with certainty that my physique does not look as good as he still thinks it does.
Over the years, the couple’s relationship grew stronger due to their mutual respect and sense of humor. When McRaney received an Emmy in 2017 for his performance in “This Is Us,” he took the opportunity to pay tribute to Burke.
“As a man, I’ve had the love of the finest woman I can possibly imagine,” stated the man. “At the end of a day’s work, I get to come home to her — that’s the fun.”
One of the things Delta incorporated into our vows during our previous vow renewal was that we accept one another’s lunacy. The well-known actor went on, “Embrace it, not just accept it.”
Burke found happiness and contentment in her personal life even after she left Hollywood. “I love my life truly for the first time,” she stated. “And I love him desperately.”
Burke continues to work in Hollywood, albeit at a slower rate, but she isn’t in the spotlight as much as she was when she was younger. She demonstrated her enduring talent in a 2019 episode of the comedic TV series “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings,” when she played Ellie Holder.
With appearances in well-known television programs including “Drop Dead Diva,” “Bridal Fever,” “The Wedding Bells,” “Boston Legal,” and “Counter Culture,” among others, she has amassed an outstanding resume over the years. Burke has a diverse career in the entertainment world, as seen by her forays into behind-the-scenes work as a producer.
Delta Burke’s incredible perseverance is demonstrated by his journey from fame to personal troubles and back to stability. Her husband remained her steadfast support system despite constant scrutiny and health issues.
