dixie virginia carter (may 25, 1939 – april 10, 2010) was an american film, television and stage actress and singer. she starred as julia sugarbaker on the sitcom "designing women" (1986–93), and as randi king on the drama series "family law" (1999–2002). she was nominated for the 2007 primetime emmy award for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series for her role as gloria hodge on "desperate housewives" (2006–07).