Hollywood is basically a graveyard for long-term marriages. You see it all the time—celebrities get together, have a massive white wedding, and then split before the ink on the prenup is even dry. But then you have Delta Burke and Gerald McRaney.
Gerald McRaney, the legendary actor you probably know from Simon & Simon or more recently as the lovable Dr. K on This Is Us, has been the husband of Delta Burke since 1989. That’s nearly four decades. In industry years, that’s basically a century.
What’s crazy is how they actually met. It wasn't some quiet, romantic dinner. They first crossed paths at a publicist's luncheon in 1987. McRaney has admitted he was fascinated by her immediately, but they didn't even swap numbers. It took a guest spot on Designing Women—where he played Suzanne Sugarbaker’s ex-husband, Dash Goff—to seal the deal.
He asked her out while they were filming, but being a professional, he waited until the shoot wrapped to actually take her on a date. Two dates. That is all it took. On the second date, he proposed. Most people would say that’s reckless, but when you know, you know.
The Man Behind the Roles
Most folks just see "Major Dad" when they look at him. Gerald McRaney has that classic, steady presence that makes him perfect for playing authority figures. He was born in Collins, Mississippi, and he’s got that authentic Southern grit. Before he was famous, he was literally working in the Louisiana oil fields.
✨ Don't miss: The Billy Bob Tattoo: What Angelina Jolie Taught Us About Inking Your Ex
His resume is honestly exhausting to look at because he never stops working.
- Simon & Simon: The iconic 80s detective show where he played Rick Simon.
- Major Dad: Where he became a household name as Major John D. MacGillis.
- House of Cards: Playing the billionaire Raymond Tusk.
- NCIS: Los Angeles: As Admiral Hollace Kilbride.
But if you ask him, his most important role isn't on a call sheet. It's being there for Delta.
Facing the Storms Together
The husband of Delta Burke didn't just sign up for the red carpets and the awards. He signed up for the hard stuff. Delta has been very open over the years about her struggles with depression, type 2 diabetes, and the brutal way the tabloids treated her when her weight fluctuated during the Designing Women years.
While the media was busy being "vile"—Delta’s words—McRaney was her rock. There’s this famous story about how he’d help her with her insulin shots and basically tell her she could weigh 300 pounds and he wouldn't care. He’s the guy who stayed when things got messy.
🔗 Read more: Birth Date of Pope Francis: Why Dec 17 Still Matters for the Church
In 2004, the roles reversed a bit. McRaney was diagnosed with lung cancer. It was actually Delta who pushed him to go to the doctor after he hurt his knee on a hunting trip. During the pre-op for his knee, a radiologist spotted a tiny "speck" behind his heart. It was Stage 1a lung cancer. They caught it early because she insisted he stop "hobbling around" and get checked out.
Why They Still Work
They live in Florida now, mostly staying out of the frantic Hollywood loop. Delta stepped back from the spotlight years ago to focus on her mental health and a quieter life. Meanwhile, McRaney, now in his late 70s, still pops up in major shows. He even won an Emmy in 2017 for This Is Us.
The secret? It sounds cliché, but they actually like each other.
Honestly, watching them together is like a masterclass in partnership. They aren't trying to be a "power couple." They’re just a couple. McRaney has been married before—twice, actually—and he’s got three children from those previous relationships. But with Delta, he found the person who made him swear off the "dating is hell" cycle for good.
💡 You might also like: Kanye West Black Head Mask: Why Ye Stopped Showing His Face
If you're looking for lessons from their marriage, it's pretty simple:
- Support is non-negotiable. Whether it's a health crisis or a career shift, you show up.
- Privacy matters. They didn't let the tabloid noise of the 90s wreck their home life.
- Listen to your spouse. If Delta hadn't nagged him about that knee injury, that lung tumor might have stayed hidden until it was too late.
Real-World Takeaways
If you want to keep a relationship as solid as theirs, start by focusing on the "boring" stuff. It’s not the Emmy wins that kept them together; it was the insulin shots and the hospital visits.
Next steps for you:
Look into the advocacy work they’ve done for veterans and cancer awareness. Gerald McRaney has been a huge supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project, often using his "Major Dad" persona to bring attention to serious issues facing those who served. You can also find Delta's older interviews where she discusses managing diabetes—her advice on mental health and body image is still incredibly relevant today.