Made stage debut as Julie in "Carousel" at the Front Street Theatre in Memphis

Made off-Broadway debut as Perdita in the New York Shakespeare Festival's production of "A Winter's Tale"

Left stage for eight years to marry and have children

Co-starred on Broadway in the musical "Sextet"

First appeared on television in the role of Brandy Henderson on long-running soap opera, "The Edge of Night"

Appeared as Melba in New York stage revival of "Pal Joey"

Performed with the New York Shakespeare Festival in such productions as "Jesse and the Bandit Queen", "Fathers and Sons" and "Taken in Marriage"

Cast in the role of copywriter April Baxter on the CBS sitcom, "On Our Own"

Portrayed Aunt Marion on short-lived ABC comedy, "Out of the Blue"

Played Hannah Mae Bindler in New York stage production of "A Couple of White Chicks Sitting Around Talking"

Met future husband Hal Holbrook while starring opposite him in the CBS movie "The Killing of Randy Webster"

First series with producer Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, acting the role of Carlotta Beck on CBS comedy "Filthy Rich"; Delta Burke also prominent in cast

Made London stage debut as Liz Conlon in "Buried Inside Extra" at the Royal Court Theatre

Film debut in supporting role (as Angela) in feature comedy, "Going Berserk"

Played recurring role of Maggie McKinney, Mr. Drummond's girlfriend, on NBC's popular sitcom, "Different Strokes"; role later played by Mary Ann Mobley

Played interior decorator Julia Sugarbaker on successful CBS sitcom, "Designing Women"; reunited with Bloodworth-Thomason and Burke

Began annual nightclub engagements singing at the Cafe Carlyle in New York City

Spats between Carter (siding with the producers of "Designing Women") and co-star Delta Burke garnered attention (date approximate)

Released "Dixie Carter's Unworkout" exercise tape

Performed live at the White House, singing three songs as part of "Cabaret", which aired on PBS in 1994

Portrayed Lillie Langtry in "The Gambler V: Playing For Keeps", a CBS miniseries starring Kenny Rogers

Acted with husband Holbrook in "A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle" (NBC)

Replaced Patti LuPone in "Master Class" in the role of Maria Callas on Broadway

First played Sharon Lawrence's mother in an episode of the NBC sitcom "Fired Up"

Had recurring role as Lawrence's mother in the CBS sitcom "Ladies Man"

Was a regular cast member of the CBS drama "Family Law"

Earned an Emmy nomination for her recurring role on "Desperate Housewives" (ABC) as Orson's (Kyle MacLachlan) mother; reuniting her with creator Marc Cherry who was once her personal assistant