Delta Burke: Biography Of An American Actress & Film Producer

Many actresses who are fed up with the one-dimensional parts that are assigned to women in US Hollywood and who are driven to create groundbreaking films are taking matters into their own hands and assuming behind-the-camera director and producer positions. 

One of the most recognizable of those names is Delta Burke, who is leveraging her power to take more control over initiatives. The actress is in charge of everything from conception to release, striving to shatter Hollywood’s glass ceiling. Today, we will learn about this actress and her journey to success.

Who Is Delta Burke?

Delta Burke is an American actress and film producer. Moreover, she is also known as Designing Women/Delta or Filthy Rich. She placed the supporting faces in many American movies during the golden time from 1980 to 2000. Also, she has done many films in her later years. 

Being an independent woman, she held herself like a butterfly. She has played chief roles in many blockbuster movies, and her directorial movies have become popular. She worked hard on her own to move forward on her road to success, as a result of which she became one of the most popular American people today.

Early Life Of The American Actress

Delta Burke was born on July 30, 1956, in Orlando, Florida. Her mother was a single mother, named Jean. An Orlando realtor named Frederick Burke married her mother, who then adopted Burke. Burke has never seen her biological father, nor does she know where he lives. On the other hand, Burke has two younger siblings, Jonathan is her brother, and Jennifer is her sister. 

• Personal Life

Delta Burke‘s personal life is spent mostly with her mother and siblings. Besides, she was busy with her career, where she spent her whole day. However, on May 28, 1989, she was married to American actor Gerald McRaney. They have no children of their own, so they adopt McRaney’s children from a previous marriage. They are currently living happily in Los Angeles, California. Also, they have residences in Telluride, Colorado, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Burke’s Educational Journey

In 1974, Delta Burke completed her education at Colonial High School and was awarded the senior superlative title of “Most Clever to Succeed.” When she was in high school, she won the Miss Florida title (in the year 1974). 

She was the youngest Miss Florida winner ever to compete in the history of the pageant. Burke was able to enroll at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art’s two-year study program after winning a talent scholarship from the Miss America Organization.

Start Of Her Bright Career

She began her career as an actress in 1974 when she won the Miss Florida title while she was at the high School. Her film debut was in the ABC-TV show Bozo the Clown. Then, she was in a 2001 episode of the show Lost Treasures, presented by NFL Films. Among her notable achievements was an appearance in the World Football League’s World Bowl, which took place the same year she won the Miss Florida title. 

Besides, some of her early work was,

Played the role of the second Bonnie Sue Chisholm ( CBS western miniseries, The Chisholms) In 1980

Played the role of the wily young widow (Filthy Rich) In 1982

Played the role of Diane Barrow (female football team owner 1st-10th) From 1984 to 1986

Some Notable Filmography Of Her

Titel	Role	Year	Notes
Zuma Beach	Terri	1978	Uncredited
The Seekers	Elizabeth Fletcher Kent	1979	TV miniseries
The Chisholms	Bonnie Sue Chisholm	1980	TV miniseries
Nero Wolfe	Jean Wellmann	1981	Episode: “Murder by the Book”
Rooster	Laura DeVega	1982	TV movie
Automan	Rachel Innis	1984	Episode: “Unreasonable Facsimile”
Who’s the Boss?	Diane Wilmington	1985	Episode: “Paint Your Wagon”
Hotel	Sherry	1986	Episode: “Restless Nights”
Simon & Simon	Christy Keating	1987	Episode: “Desperately Seeking Dacody”
Saturday Night Live	Herself/host	1991	Episode: “Delta Burke/Chris Isaak”
Day-O	Grace Connors	1992	TV movie
Diagnosis: Murder	Maggie Donahue/Sister Michael	1994	Episode: “Sister Michael Wants You”
Dangerous Child	Sally Cambridge	2001	TV movie
Going For Broke	Laura Bancroft	2003	TV movie
The Wedding Bells	Sheila Pontell	2007	Episode: “For Whom the Bells Toll”
Bridal Fever	Dahlia Marchand	2008	TV movie
Drop Dead Diva	Tessa Wells	2009	Episode: “Make Me a Match”
Counter	Culture Nonie	2012	TV pilot episode
Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings	Ellie Holder	2019	Episode: “If I Had Wings”

Remarks About Her Weight Issue

Burke’s weight issue discussion came up in the tabloid press at the beginning of the 1990s. Her battles with depression, eating disorders, and weight began during her pageant career in the early 1970s. 

She was the target of several newspaper parodies due to the media’s ongoing fascination with her weight, including a Saturday Night Live comedy in which Leon Phelps of The Ladies’ Man had sex with her. Burke requested that Thomason create an episode addressing her weight in 1989.

Journey Of Delta Burke 2020 Weight Loss

By the early 1970s, Burke’s weight began to increase dramatically due to several physical problems (type-2 diabetes). In 1991 her weight was 225 lbs or 102 kg. For 18 years she played her role as an actress with this weight.

Finally, in 2019 she embarked on her weight loss journey, starting to bring about a change in herself. Delta Burke 2022 was very successful on the weight loss journey. Delta Burke brought her weight down to 170 lbs in 2022, and currently stays away from the media and doesn’t talk much about her weight.

Some Fascinating Attribute Of Delta Burke

Nationality	American
Born	Orlando, Florida, USA
Date Of Birth	30/07/1956
Height	1.65 meter (5’4”)
Weight	< 170 Lbs (As Of 2023)
Profession	Actress And Film Producer
Husband Name	Gerald McRaney
Eye Color	Dark Brown
Hair Color	Browny Black
Claim To Fame	Second Bonnie Sue Chisholm ( CBS western miniseries, The Chisholms)
Net Worth	$4.2 million (As Of 2023)

Delta Burke Net Worth

Burke is undoubtedly one of the best American actresses. Her current fame is much higher thanks to her participation in hundreds of movies and several TV shows. Although she has been out of the movie world for several years, she is still very popular. Her estimated net worth in 2020 was $3.5 million.

Year	Net Worth	Earning Resources
2020	$3.5 million	TV shows & Movies
202	$3.5 million	TV shows & Movies
Delta Burke 2022	$3.8 million	Personal Business
Delta Burke 2023	$4.2 million	Personal Business

Bottom Line

The most well-known part of Delta Burke‘s career was as Suzanne Sugarbaker on the seven-season CBS sitcom Designing Women (1986), for which she was nominated twice for an Emmy for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. 

She took first place in a vocational competition at a London acting school and various talent contests. Burke set off on her quest to realize her lofty goals. She began to get modest roles and made several guest star appearances on TV series.