The passing of actor Meshach Taylor in 2014, after a long battle with colon cancer, left a void in the hearts of his fans. He is remembered as the beloved deliveryman Anthony Bouvier , who became the soul of the Designing Women series , and the colorful Hollywood Montrose in the classic film Mannequin . But Taylor’s life story is more than just a journey from the Chicago stage to the Hollywood spotlight; it’s a testament to perseverance, honesty, and a deep devotion to family, values ​​he held true to until his last breath.

In his final days, Taylor made one final act of gratitude, one that showed who he truly was: despite facing a terminal illness, he insisted on making the difficult trip to celebrate his mother’s 100th birthday. The gesture, just 11 days before his death, was a touching conclusion to a life that put family and education above all else, even as it forced him to fight Hollywood itself.

From an Intellectual to a Brave Dropout

Meshach Taylor was born into a family of intellectuals in 1947, his father, Joseph T. Taylor, a scholar and later Dean at Dillard University and IUPUI, and his mother, Hertha May Ward Taylor, a dedicated teacher. Growing up in a university environment instilled in him a sense of discipline, excellence, and the power of knowledge.

Taylor’s path, however, was anything but conventional. He studied drama at Wilmington College, then transferred to Florida A&M University. Despite a solid academic foundation, just a few credits shy of graduating, Taylor made a shocking decision: he dropped out of college. This wasn’t a rebellion, but a young man pursuing a calling more powerful than any degree—the performing arts.

He began his education by working as a reporter for AM radio station WE in Indianapolis, using the on-air name Bruce Taylor . The job was a real-life “journalism school,” where he learned to communicate clearly, handle politics, and convey complex information. These skills, combined with his experience as a television host, equipped him with an ability to connect with audiences that few actors have.

Eight Years of Hard Training Changed Everything

In 1972, the groundbreaking musical Hair changed Taylor’s life. He joined the national tour of the rebellious rock musical, becoming part of the cultural revolution for two years. When the tour ended in Chicago, Taylor made another life-changing decision: he devoted eight years to intensive theater training.

He joined the Goodman Theatre and the revolutionary Organic Theatre Company, where he was surrounded by talents who would become big names, such as Joe Mantegna, Dennis Franz, and Andre De Shields. It wasn’t just a job; it was “graduate school” for the dramatic arts.

This hard work paid off. In 1977, Taylor won the Joseph Jefferson Award (Chicago’s equivalent of a Tony Award) for his performance in Athol Fugard’s play Sizwe Banzi Is Dead , a play about apartheid. He followed that with a Chicago Emmy Award for his role as Jim in WTTW’s production of Huckleberry Finn . The combination of stage brilliance and television presence created a unique and unrivaled actor in the entertainment industry.

Living in a Car and the Breakthrough Audition

In 1978, Taylor moved to Los Angeles, but the transition was not smooth. For most actors, LA is hope; for Taylor, it was a test of survival. He lived in his car for months, working as a seasonal worker to buy food and gas. This was the dark side of Hollywood glamour—survival required the discipline and perseverance he had learned from his parents and the Chicago stage.

Success came in 1986, thanks to an audition for Designing Women . The magic was that it wasn’t a typical audition. Producers simply asked Taylor what he would do in a certain situation with a certain character. Taylor went into a five-minute improvisation that left everyone speechless. He created the character of Anthony Bouvier so naturally that, despite what was originally intended to be a one-time guest appearance, it became a seven-season journey.

Anthony Bouvier was more than just a comedic character; he was groundbreaking—an ex-convict trying to rebuild his life, a black man navigating relationships with four white Southern women. The character earned Taylor a 1989 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, confirming that he had created a unique character in American television.

A Legacy of Loyalty and Education

Taylor’s career has included roles as diverse as the Hollywood Montrose in Mannequin to Lumière on Broadway in Beauty and the Beast . He has also hosted The Urban Gardener and Hidden Caribbean , demonstrating his passion for nurturing life and exploring culture.

His deepest personal relationship, however, was with actor Joe Mantegna . They met on the set of the 1969 musical Hair and maintained a friendship that lasted more than 40 years. When Taylor guest-starred on Criminal Minds in 2012 and 2014, playing Harrison Scott opposite Mantegna’s David Rossi, it was more than just a professional collaboration—it was two old friends creating art together again. Mantegna’s respect was so great that he dedicated a 2015 episode of Criminal Minds to Taylor’s honor after his death.

In his personal life, Taylor found lasting love with actress Bianca Ferguson (formerly of General Hospital ). Together, they raised four children. More importantly, in 1993, at the age of 46, Taylor returned to Florida A&M University to receive a bachelor’s degree in theater arts, completing his academic journey to honor his parents’ commitment to education .

The Last Act of Gratitude

When he was diagnosed with colon cancer, Taylor faced it with the same grace and determination he displayed in every role. Even as his health declined, he continued to work and remained present for his family.

His most noble act came just 11 days before his death: He insisted on traveling to Indiana to celebrate his mother’s 100th birthday. It was a wonderful act of sacrifice, demonstrating that family comes first, education is forever, and never giving up on the people you love.

On April 12, 2014, Taylor’s 67th birthday party turned into an impromptu reunion of stage and television legends, including Joe Mantegna, Dennis Franz, Jean Smart, and Delta Burke. It was a moment that celebrated everything Taylor had built: enduring friendships and mutual respect.

On June 28, 2014, Meshach Taylor passed away at his home in Altadena, California, surrounded by family and friends. The man who spent his life bringing joy to others met his end with the same grace. In an industry obsessed with box office and viewership, Meshach Taylor symbolized something rare: an actor who understood that craft comes first, relationships matter most, and success is measured by the positive impact you have on others.