Dixie Virginia Carter (May 25, 1939 – April 10, 2010) was an American film, television and stage actress. She starred as Julia Sugarbaker on the sitcom Designing Women (1986–93), and as Randi King on the drama series Family Law (1999–2002). In 2007, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her role as Gloria Hodge on the series Desperate Housewives (2006–07).

Carter made her professional stage debut in a Memphis production of the musical Carousel in 1960, co-starring George Hearn who became an award-winning Broadway star, as well as her 2nd husband 17 years later. Dixie made her Broadway debut in the 1974 musical Sextet. After appearing for two years as District Attorney Brandy Henderson on the CBS soap The Edge of Night (1974–76), she returned to Broadway in the 1976 musical Pal Joey. Her other television roles included the sitcoms On Our Own (1977–78), Filthy Rich (1982–83) and Diff'rent Strokes (1984–85). In 1997, she starred as Maria Callas in the Broadway play Master Class, and in 2004, she played Mrs. Meers in the Broadway musical Thoroughly Modern Millie.