Meshach Taylor (April 11, 1947 – June 28, 2014) was an American actor. He is best known for his Emmy-nominated turn as Anthony Bouvier on the CBS hit sitcom Designing Women (1986–93), and for his portrayal of Hollywood Montrose, a flamboyant window dresser in the box office hit and cult classic romantic comedy film Mannequin. He played Sheldon Baylor on the CBS sitcom Dave’s World (1993–97), appeared as Tony on the short-lived NBC sitcom Buffalo Bill opposite Dabney Coleman, and appeared as the recurring character Alastair Wright, the social studies teacher and later school principal, on Nickelodeon’s sitcom, Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide.
Taylor’s movie roles included a flamboyant window dresser in the 1987 comedy-romance Mannequin as well as Damien: Omen II.
Taylor died from colorectal canceron at his home in Altadena, California. Taylor is survived by his wife Bianca Ferguson Taylor, his daughters Tamar Lashae, Yasmine Taylor, Esme Taylor, his son Tariq Taylor, his mother Hertha Ward Taylor, his sister Judith Taylor, his brother Hussain Taylor and his four grandchildren.
Designing Women Season 3 Episode 3 “E. P. Phone Home” 1/3
Mannequin 1987