Designing Women star Richard Gilliland who tied the knot with his co-star Jean Smart has passed away aged 71.

According to People, the actor died following a ‘short illness.’

He is survived by his wife of more than 30 years and their two children, 31-year-old Connor and 12-year-old Bonnie Kathleen.

Richard and Jean acted together on screen and stage before he tragically died on March 18.

They were supposed to co-star in an upcoming movie Breaking News In Yuba County that was about to start filming this summer.

In 1986, the actor landed a recurring role on ‘Designing Women’ as baseball talent scout J.D. Shackelford. That’s when he met his wife, who played Charlene Frazier-Stillfield on the series.

During a 2017 interview with Northwest Prime Time, Jean said: “I met him when he was kissing someone,” adding that she asked cast member Delta Burke to check if Gilliland was available.

“Naturally, Delta walked up to him and blurted, ‘Jean wants to know if you’re married.’”

Jean also said they immediately hit it off after she managed to ‘lure’ him to her dressing room to solve a crossword puzzle. They eventually tied the knot in June 1987.

The couple starred together in the stage productions ‘Love Letters and ‘It Had to Be You,’ telefilms ‘Audrey’s Rain’ and ‘Just My Imagination,’ and the Fox series ’24,’ where Jean portrayed first lady Martha Logan alongside Gilliland’s Captain Stan Cotter.

Gilliland’s other acting credits include ‘Just Our Luck,’ ‘Heartland,’ ‘McMillan & Wife,’ and Operation Petticoat.’ He also made appearances on ‘Desperate Housewives,’ ‘Criminal Minds,’ ‘Thirtysomething,’ ‘Scandal,’ and ‘Dexter.’

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