Meshach Taylor facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Meshach Taylor
Taylor in 2011
Born	(1947-04-11)April 11, 1947 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	June 28, 2014(2014-06-28) (aged 67) Altadena, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1970s–2014
Spouse(s)	Bianca Ferguson ​ (m. 1983)​
Children	4

Meshach Taylor (born April 11, 1947 – died June 28, 2014) was an American actor. He was famous for his role as Anthony Bouvier on the TV show Designing Women. He was even nominated for an Emmy Award for this role.

Meshach Taylor also played Hollywood Montrose, a fun and stylish window dresser, in the movies Mannequin (1987) and its sequel Mannequin Two (1991). You might also remember him as Sheldon Baylor on the show Dave's World or as Mr. Wright, the social studies teacher and principal, on Nickelodeon's Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.

Early Life and Education

Meshach Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts. His mother was Hertha Mae and his father was Joseph T. Taylor. His father was a dean at Dillard University and later at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis.

When Meshach's family moved to Indianapolis, he went to Crispus Attucks High School. He became very interested in acting there. After high school, he studied drama at Wilmington College (Ohio) and Florida A&M University.

Before finishing college, he worked as a reporter for a radio station and hosted a TV show in Indianapolis. He later went back to Florida A&M University and earned his degree in theatre arts in 1993.

Acting Career

Meshach Taylor had a long and successful acting career. He worked in theater, television, and movies.

Theater Roles

Meshach Taylor's first professional acting job was in a national tour of the musical Hair. He became a skilled actor by performing in many plays. He was part of the Goodman Theatre and the Organic Theater Company in Chicago.

While in Chicago, he won an Emmy Award for his role as Jim in a TV version of Huckleberry Finn. In 1998, he made his Broadway debut in the musical Beauty and the Beast. He played Lumiere alongside singer Toni Braxton.

Television and Film Roles

In 1977, Meshach Taylor moved to Los Angeles. There, he became known for many memorable characters on TV and in movies.

His most famous role was Anthony Bouvier on the CBS sitcom Designing Women. He played a deliveryman at a design company in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1989, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for this role.

From 1993 to 1997, he was a regular on Dave's World as a plastic surgeon named Sheldon Baylor. He also had a recurring role as Mr. Wright, the history teacher who became a principal, on Nickelodeon's Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide (2004–2007).

Meshach Taylor appeared in many other popular TV shows, including:

• M*A*S*H
• The Golden Girls
• Punky Brewster
• ALF
• The Incredible Hulk
• Jessie
• Hannah Montana
• Criminal Minds

He also hosted his own TV shows, like The Urban Gardener with Meshach Taylor on HGTV and Meshach Taylor's Hidden Caribbean on The Travel Channel. He was also a regular panelist on the game show To Tell the Truth.

Meshach Taylor was good friends with actor Joe Mantegna. They first worked together in the musical Hair in 1969. Later, Meshach guest-starred on Criminal Minds with Joe Mantegna in 2012 and 2014. After Meshach's death, Joe Mantegna dedicated an episode of Criminal Minds to him.

His film roles included Mannequin, Mannequin Two: On the Move, and Damien: Omen II.

Personal Life

Meshach Taylor married actress Bianca Ferguson in 1983. He had four children: three daughters (Tamar, Esme, and Yasmine) and one son (Tariq). He also had four grandchildren.

Death

Meshach Taylor passed away on June 28, 2014, at his home in Altadena, California. He died from colorectal cancer. He was survived by his wife, his four children, his mother, two siblings, and four grandchildren. A memorial service was held to celebrate his life.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Meshach Taylor para niños