Meshach Taylor Dead at 67

The family of Designing Women star Meshach Taylor has
asked for prayers.

Actor Meshach Taylor, best known for his Emmy-nominated portrayal of Anthony Bouvier on the CBS comedy Designing Women, died on Saturday after a battle with cancer, his agent Dede Binder confirmed. He was 67.

Taylor had fought a terminal illness and faded markedly in recent days. His wife, children, grandchildren and mother surrounded him as he passed away, Binder said.

“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,” the family said in a statement.

Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of a college professor and a sociology professor.

His first professional gig was in a national tour of "Hair." He honed his craft in repertory theater as a member of Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, and the Organic Theater Company alongside Joe Mantegna, André DeShields, Dennis Franz, Keith Szarabajka, Jack Wallace, and director Stuart Gordon.
Married to General Hospital actress Bianca Ferguson since 1983, Taylor had four children--daughters, Tamar Taylor, Esme Taylor, Yasmine Taylor, and son Tariq Taylor--and four grandchildren.

Note: Ferguson played Claudia Johnston Phillips from 1979-1987 on General Hospital.

On Designing Women, Taylor played Anthony Bouvier, the jailbird-turned-assistant to Delta Burke, Annie Potts, Jean Smart and Dixie Carter. His other television credits included Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, Dave's World, Buffalo Bill and In the Heat of the Night.

Taylor's made his screen debut in the 1978 movie Damien: Omen II. Other film credits included his role as Hollywood Montrose in Mannequin and Mannequin 2: On The Move.

Taylor most recently starred in Criminal Minds. For his 67th birthday in April he celebrated with his Criminal Minds co-star Joe Mantegna and Designing Women star Jean Smart and Delta Burke.