Alice Ghostley
Alice Ghostly has had a long career and was a staple on American TV shows since the 1950s, still, her role on Designing Women has definitely been her most iconic to date, that or her role on Evening Shade.
In this series, she played the role of Irna Wallingford for a few years. But in 2007, the actress sadly passed away. Just a year before that she had also starred in the TV show Mothers and Daughters.
Douglas Barr Today
Before Designing Women, Barr garnered some attention as the character Harry Munson, on the show, The Fall Guy. It was viewed as a pretty noteworthy performance back in the 80s, which is why he got such a significant role on the CBS sitcom. Following his departure from the show in 1991, it may have looked like Barr would have a pretty good TV career ahead of him.
Unfortunately, the actor was last seen in the 1994 film, Temptation. Things may have not panned out in that department, but in 2017 the Designing Women actor directed Site Unseen: An Emma Fielding Mystery.
Alice Ghostley As Bernice
Alice Ghostly was one of the three actresses to stay on for the longest. She played the very quirky Bernice who was brought on by Perky, the mom of Suzanne and Julia.
While everyone adored her cooky sense of humor, it wasn't always great for the workplace. Still, this mother figure was one of the most loved figures on the show.
Hal Holbrook As Reese Watson
Generally, we tend to fall for our opposites. Though this is not always the case. An example of this? Julia Sugarbaker and Reese Watson played by Hal Holbrooke. These two very similar characters, both widowed, were made for each other.
The two characters balanced each other out. If the one got a little too worked up, the other would be there to calm them down. While we know the fate of Reese, what became of Hal?
Hal Holbrook Today
With or without Designing Women, Hal Holbrooke had an incredibly accomplished career. Most of his roles were of iconic political and historical figures, some of which include John Adams and Abraham Lincoln - he just has that look about him. As far as married life goes, Holbrook tied the knot with one of his co-stars, Dixie Carter. The two were inseparable.
Later in life, he was involved in hit shows like Sons of Anarchy. Sadly, he passed away on 2021. But, his great-nephew Boyd Holbrook has made it into acting. It must be in the genes.