Meshach Taylor

Meshach Taylor was a tall, boisterously amiable African-American character actor with a beaming smile, prominent chin and a great sense of comic timing. After supporting Dabney Coleman on the critically acclaimed sitcom "Buffalo Bill" (NBC 1983-84), Taylor became noted for his flashy yet precise way with a retort as Anthony Bouvier, ex-convict turned handyman turned business partner on the popular sitcom "Designing Women" (CBS 1986-93). Taylor also acted in supporting roles in such films as "The Howling" (1980), "Explorers" (1985), "House of Games" (1987), and "Welcome to Oblivion" (1990), but his best-known film work came as flashy window dresser Hollywood Montrose in the romantic comedy fantasy "Mannequin" (1987) and its sequel, "Mannequin Two: On the Move" (1991). Following the end of "Designing Women," Taylor supported Harry Anderson in the amiable family comedy "Dave's World" (CBS 1993-97), based on the newspaper columns of comedy writer Dave Barry. Later in his career, he hosted or co-hosted several shows on cable networks like HGTV and The Travel Channel, including "The Urban Gardener with Meshach Taylor" (HGTV 1996). Taylor continued to appear in guest roles on television, including a recurring role on the police procedural "Criminal Minds" (CBS 2005), and in low budget films well into the 21st century, a long battle with cancer slowed his productivity greatly. Meshach Taylor died at his home in the Los Angeles suburb of Altadena, California on June 28, 2014 at the age of 67.