`Designing Women` actor Meshach Taylor dead at 67

USPA News - American actor Meshach Taylor, who is best remembered for his role on the 1980s hit sitcom `Designing Women`, and who also appeared in the popular film `Mannequin`, died Saturday at his home in California, his agent said on Sunday. He was 67. Taylor died on Saturday evening after a long battle with cancer, said agent Dede Binder of talent agency Defining Artists.

"He passed away last night. His entire family was by his side," she said. Few other details about his illness were known, but Taylor`s condition had markedly deteriorated in recent days. "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," his family had said in an earlier statement on Friday. "Our friends who know and love us, please offer your prayers for his peace and blazing light as he ascends to the heavens." On the CBS sitcom `Designing Women,` which aired from 1986 through 1993 and follows the professional and personal lives of employees at an interior design firm in Atlanta, Taylor portrayed Anthony Bouvier. Taylor also received an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of his character: a former prison inmate who was falsely convicted of a robbery and the only man on the firm`s staff. During the same period, Taylor also played flamboyant window dresser Hollywood Montrose on the popular 1987 romantic comedy fantasy film `Mannequin.` After `Designing Women` ended, Taylor went on to star as Dr. Sheldon Baylor on the sitcom `Dave`s World` from 1993 until 1997.