Diane Delano, celebrated character actress renowned for her role as Officer Barbara Semanski in the Emmy Award-winning series “Northern Exposure,” passed away on December 13, 2024. She was at her residence in Los Angeles, California at the time of her death and was 67 years old.
Her cause of death was identified as cancer by her friend and professional colleague, Stepfanie Kramer. Kramer spoke highly of Delano’s prowess in acting, stating, “She was big and bold and brought her sharp wit and perfect comic timing to every role. Her earthy and raucous presence enabled her to always own the room. She was one of a kind.”
Dennis Sevier, Delano’s agent, also confirmed her death, stating that Delano was “full of life and loved being an actor” and would be greatly missed.
Delano was born and raised in Los Angeles and started her acting career at the age of six. She eventually graduated from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts/West. Her passion for the entertainment industry was rooted in her family history, as her grandfather, a stage actor from New York, had moved the family to Hollywood. Her cousin, Rick Sparks, highlighted that Delano’s early exposure to the industry “cemented her love for a life within” it.
Over her career spanning four decades, Delano amassed over 130 acting credits. Her television debut was made in 1983, where she played a nurse in the medical drama “St. Elsewhere.” She subsequently landed recurring roles in several television series, such as “L.A. Law,” “Popular,” “Growing Pains,” and “Days of Our Lives.”
Her filmography includes roles in “The Wicker Man,” “Miracle Mile,” and “A Mighty Wind.” In her later years, Delano ventured into voice acting, contributing to animated series like “Teen Titans,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” and video games including “Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.”
Delano’s exceptional talent garnered her awards throughout her career. In 2012, she received an Indie Series Award for her supporting role in the TV movie “Fumbling Thru the Pieces.” In 2019, she shared the Los Angeles Film Award for best ensemble for her performance in the coming-of-age drama “Relish.”
In the year of her death, Delano appeared in three films, namely “Road to Dreamland,” “Final Heist,” and the bluegrass musical comedy “Paradise: A Town of Sinners and Saints.”
