Meshach Taylor

Meshach Taylor Headshot

Actor

Birth Date: April 11, 1947

Death Date: June 28, 2014

Birth Place: Boston, Massachusetts

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.

Credits

Hyenas

Actor
Crazy Briggs
Movie
2011

Wigger

Actor
Charles Pruitt
Movie
2010

The Wendy Williams Show

Guest
Talk
2008

Hannah MontanaStream

Guest Star
Dahliano
Series
2006

Criminal Minds: EvolutionStream

Guest Star
Series
2005

All of UsStream

Guest Star
Series
2003

The Designing Women Reunion

Self
Movie
2003

Jacks or Better

Actor
Ron
Movie
2000

The Right Connections

Actor
Lionel Clark
Movie
1997

Caroline in the CityStream

Guest Star
Series
1995

Virtual Seduction

Actor
Anderson
Movie
1995

Nothing Lasts Forever

Actor
Movie
1995

Burke's Law

Guest Star
Ozzie Banks
Show
1994

Dave's World

Actor
Shel Baylor
Series
1993

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble

Actor
Mr. N
Movie
1993

Doble Doble Hechizo

Actor
Movie
1993

Class Act

Actor
Duncan's Dad
Movie
1992

Welcome to Oblivion

Actor
Elijah
Movie
1992

Mannequin Two: On the MoveStream

Actor
Hollywood Montrose/Doorman
Movie
1991
13%

How to Murder a Millionaire

Actor
Danny
Movie
1990

House of Games

Actor
Mr. Dean
Movie
1987

MannequinStream

Actor
Hollywood
Movie
1987
20%

Designing WomenStream

Actor
Anthony Bouvier
Series
1986

ALFStream

Guest Star
Addison
Series
1986

The Golden GirlsStream

Guest Star
Police Officer
Series
1985

Warning Sign

Actor
Video Technician 2
Movie
1985

ExplorersStream

Actor
Gordon Miller
Movie
1985
72%

Punky BrewsterStream

Guest Star
Delivery Man
Series
1984

Buffalo Bill

Actor
Tony
Series
1983
84%

The Beast Within

Actor
Deputy Herbert
Movie
1982

The White Shadow

Guest Star
Series
1978

Damien: Omen II

Actor
Dr. Kane
Movie
1978

Barnaby JonesStream

Guest Star
Series
1973