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.
Richard Gilliland Today
While things didn't exactly end up as happily ever after between Mary Jo and J.D, it did work out for J.D and someone else. J.D, or rather, Richard Gilliland fell in love with Jean Smart from the very beginning.
Gilliland was active on the silver screen, consistently appearing in a string of TV shows. Some of them included Desperate Housewives, CSI, and a dark comedy series called Imposters. In 2021 he passed away at the age of 71.
Douglas Barr As Bill Stillfield
The show did focus largely on the gals' careers, but that doesn't mean they were made of stone. Another handsome love interest swooped in and stole the heart of one of our favorite ladies. Yup, The character Colonel William "Bill" Stillfield, played by the great Douglas Barr charmed us all and especially the sweet Charlene.
While Stillfield had something going on with Julia Sugarbaker, his story arc ended up matching up better with Charlene, who he ultimately married.
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.
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.