Happy Birthday to Delta Burke!

...The divine Delta Burke turns 52 today!

This deliciously talented actress is obviously best known for her classic portrayal of Suzanne Sugarbaker during the first five seasons on "Desiging Women" and on the short-lived spinoff "Women of the House." Suzanne is one of the most brilliant comic creations in the history of television and one of those rare times when it was the perfect meeting of actress and character.

I've remained a fan of Delta's since the show and she has done some great stuff. Among my faves was her portrayal of Cherry Cherry during the second season of "Popular." She was a riot! Delta also had a recurring role on "Boston Legal," and a decent sitcom on ABC, "Delta," that had decent ratings in the mid-90s but was not renewed. But she has triumphed on Broadway in "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "Steel Magnolias" and was a smash in the touring production of "Southern Baptist Sissies" and in the indie fave "Sordid Lives."

Delta, married to Gerald McRaney for more than 20 years, was to be a part of "Sordid Lives: The Series" but had to pull out to get treatment for her depression. She has been very open about her life-long stuggle with mental illness and helped people to realize that with treatment, they can have happy and productive lives. It's so important when celebrities like Delta help to remove the stigmas because it leads others to get help.

She's a great lady!

Here is:Delta on "The View" a few years ago:

The following are some of my favorite Suzanne moments from "Designing Women"