Played by Delta Burke

Bella Horowitz is the mother of Denny Crane's girlfriend Bethany Horowitz and was once engaged to Denny herself. In episode 3x07 [Trick Or Treat], Bella revealed to Denny that she thought Bethany was his daughter. Although paternity tests proved that this was not the case (3x08 [Lincoln]), Bethany dumped Denny, prompting Bella to suggest that the two old lovers revisit their previous relationship. Denny was apparently convinced to do so, as he brought Bella to the Crane, Poole & Schmidt Christmas party in 3x10 [The Nutcrackers] and was taking a vacation to Hawaii with her in 3x12 [Nuts]. In 3x13 [Dumping Bella], Bella was represented in court by Alan Shore in a case against a client represented by her daughter Bethany.

Delta Burke

Delta Burke is best-known for her portrayal of 'Suzanne Sugarbaker' in the sitcom Designing Women (1986-91). Burke received two lead actress Emmy nominations for this role, losing out to Candice Bergen in 1990 and to Kirstie Allie in 1991.

A former Miss Florida, Burke won a talent scholarship to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and used that as a springboard to a television career. She had feature roles almost immediately, including in the mini-series The Seekers (1979) and The Chisholms (1980), and the sitcom Filthy Rich (1982-3). She also guest-starred on other shows in this period, including one appearance on William Shatner's T.J. Hooker (1984). From 1984-88, she starred in one of HBO's first original series, 1st And Ten as the female owner of a fictional professional football team.

After her successful run on Designing Women, Burke former produced and starred in the short-lived sitcom, Delta (1992) and later reprised her role as 'Suzanne Sugarbaker' in Women of the House (1995).

More recently, Burke has appeared on Broadway (in Steel Magnolias) and will appear as 'Mrs. Claus' opposite John Goodman in the upcoming NBC movie The Year Without a Santa Claus. In January, Burke will serve as one of the judges at the 2007 Miss America Pageant.

Burke has had a constant struggle with her weight throughout her career, but she has embraced the idea of being a "full-sized" role model. She wrote the book "Delta Style: Eve Wasn't A Size 6 And Neither Am I (1998) and also started her own company, Delta Burke Design, featuring "Plus Size" clothing designs.

Burke is married to actor Gerald McRaney (Major Dad, Deadwood, Jericho).

Delta Burke at the Internet Movie Database
Delta Burke at Wikipedia

Episode appearances:
3x07 [Trick Or Treat]
3x08 [Lincoln]
3x09 [On The Ledge]
3x10 [The Nutcrackers]
3x13 [Dumping Bella]