Designing Women: Meshach Taylor Dies at 67

Actor Meshach Taylor has died at the age of 67. He passed last night at his family’s home in Altadena, California, where he was receiving hospice care. It’s reported that he had been battling cancer.

Taylor was best known for playing Anthony Bouvier, an ex-con who worked at the Sugarbaker interior design firm on CBS’ Designing Women. During the show’s seven season run, he co-starred with Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Annie Potts, Jean Smart, Alice Ghostley, Jan Hooks, Julia Duffy, and Judith Ivey.

Following Designing Women’s cancellation, Taylor moved on to another CBS sitcom, Dave’s World. Starring Harry Anderson, it ran for nearly 100 episodes and four seasons. He later became a semi-regular on Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide.

Taylor guest-starred on numerous other TV shows over the years. His most recent appearance was on an episode of Criminal Minds, playing a character he first played in a 2012 epsiode.

THR reports that Smart, Burke, Gerald McRaney, Joe Mantegna, Dennis Franz, Shadoe Stevens, Ernie Hudson and others gathered to celebrate Taylor’s 67th birthday at a party in April.

On Friday, the Taylor family posted a note on his Facebook page, “It is with love and gratitude that we sorrowfully announce that our darling, amazingly brilliant and dynamic Meshach, the incredible father, husband, son and friend, has begun his grand transition.”

He is survived by his wife, actress Bianca Ferguson, and children Tariq, Yasmine, Tamar and Esme.

What do you think? Did you enjoy Meshach Taylor’s work? Do you have any favorite performances or characters?