Annie Potts (born October 28, 1952) is an American television and film actress. She was born in Franklin, Kentucky, where she graduated from Franklin Simpson High School. She then received her Bachelor in Fine Arts degree (in theater arts) from Stephens College in Missouri. She is the daughter of Powell Grisette Potts and Dorothy Harris (Billingslea) Potts and has two older sisters, Mary Eleanor (Potts) Hovious, and Elizabeth Grissette ("Dollie") Potts. She is probably best known for her role in the television sitcom, Designing Women, but has done a wide variety of prominent roles in both television and film.