Diane Delano was a veteran actress best known for her roles as Barbara Semanski, the Alaskan state trooper on the quirky “Northern Exposure,” and science teacher Bobbi Glass on the teen drama “Popular.”
- Died: December 13, 2024 (Who else died on December 13?)
- Details of death: Died of cancer in Sherman Oaks, California at the age of 67.
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Diane Delano’s legacy
When Delano took up the role of Barbara Semanski on the quirky, award-winning comedy-drama “Northern Exposure,” she created a memorable character with her brash, bold approach to portraying the Alaskan state trooper.
Just a few years after her 12-episode stint on “Northern Exposure,” she did it again, this time when she played cruel science teacher Roberta “Bobbi” Glass on the 1990s teen drama “Popular.” She spent 36 episodes with the cast, depicting Glass not just as a mean-spirited foil for the students, but also as a nuanced woman who questioned her own sexuality.
Delano’s career was more than just two roles, however. The veteran actress made her debut in 1983, appearing in an episode of “St. Elsewhere” and the film “Heart Like a Wheel.” Over the years, she racked up more than 130 acting credits, including appearances on popular sitcoms like “Growing Pains,” “Perfect Strangers,” and “Who’s the Boss?” as well as dramas such as “L.A. Law,” “ER,” “Six Feet Under,” and “Desperate Housewives.” She also had a 21-episode run on the daytime soap, “Days of Our Lives.”
She was twice nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Indie Series Awards, in 2012 and 2013, for her work in the acclaimed web show “Fumbling Thru the Pieces,” winning in 2012. The Los Angeles native was also honored for her excellence among the ensemble cast of the 2019 film “Relish.”
When she wasn’t on screen, her voice was. Delano did voice work for “New Looney Tunes,” “Superman: The Animated Series,” “Teen Titans,” “Ben 10” versions, “Lego DC Super-Villains,” “Rage 2,” and other cartoons and video games. Her most recent roles were in three 2024 films: “Final Heist,” “Road to Dreamland,” and “Paradise: A Town of Sinners and Saints.”
Tributes to Diane Delano
Full obituary: Deadline
