Diane Delano, the busy character actor who portrayed Officer Barbara Semanski on CBS’ Northern Exposure and the mean science teacher Bobbi Glass on The WB’s Popular, has died. She was 67.

Delano died Friday of cancer in her home in Sherman Oaks, her friend Stepfanie Kramer announced.

“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 to always own the room. She was one of a kind.”

As Rhonda Vasek, Delano had a romantic liaison with Douglas Brackman Jr. (Alan Rachins) in 1987 on the second season of NBC’s L.A. Law, and she guest-starred on such other shows as Falcon Crest, Cop Rock, Step by Step, Third Rock From the Sun, ER, Monk, Six Feet Under, Cold Case, The Bridge, 2 Broke Girls and PEN15.

Delano recurred as Officer Semanski on 12 episodes over...