Diane Delano, a versatile character actress known for her memorable role as Officer Barbara Semanski in the Emmy Award-winning series “Northern Exposure,” died December 13, 2024 at her home in Los Angeles, California. She was 67.
The cause of death was cancer, as confirmed by her friend and fellow actor Stepfanie Kramer, who praised Delano’s professional capabilities. “She was big and bold and brought her sharp wit and perfect comic timing to every role,” Kramer said. “Her earthy and raucous presence enabled her always to own the room. She was one of a kind.”
Delano’s agent, Dennis Sevier, also confirmed her passing, noting that she was “full of life and loved being an actor” and “will be missed.”
Born in Los Angeles, Delano began acting at age six and later graduated from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts/West. Her entertainment industry roots ran deep, as her grandfather was a New York stage actor who moved the family to Hollywood. Her cousin, Rick Sparks, noted that Delano’s early exposure to the industry “cemented her love for a life within” it.
Throughout her four-decade career, Delano accumulated more than 130 acting credits. Her television debut came in 1983 when she appeared as a nurse in the medical drama “St. Elsewhere.” She went on to secure recurring roles in numerous television series, including “L.A. Law,” “Popular,” “Growing Pains,” and “Days of Our Lives.”
Her film work included roles in “The Wicker Man,” “Miracle Mile,” and “A Mighty Wind.” In recent years, she expanded into voice acting, contributing to animated series like “Teen Titans,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” and video games such as “Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.”
Delano’s talent earned her recognition throughout her career. She received an Indie Series Award for her supporting role in the made-for-TV movie “Fumbling Thru the Pieces” in 2012, and in 2019 she shared the Los Angeles Film Award for best ensemble for her work in the coming-of-age drama “Relish.”
Her most recent work included appearances in three films released in 2024: “Road to Dreamland,” “Final Heist,” and the bluegrass musical comedy “Paradise: A Town of Sinners and Saints.”
