In 2006 – 07 , Carter found a resurgence of fame with a new generation of fans portraying Gloria Hodge , Bree Van de Kamp 's disturbed ( and scheming ) mother-in-law on '' Desperate Housewives '' . Creator Marc Cherry started in Hollywood as Carter 's assistant on the set of '' Designing Women '' . Her first and only Emmy Awards nomination was for the 59th Primetime Emmy Awards under the category of Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Gloria Hodge
59th Primetime Emmy Awards
59th Primetime Emmy Awards
Dixie Carter