Mannequin actor Meshach Taylor dies at 67
Actor Meshach Taylor, best known for the 1980s comedy Mannequin and the US show Designing Women, has died at 67.
Taylor died on Saturday at his home near Los Angeles after suffering from colorectal cancer.
"He fought valiantly and died surrounded by his loving family," Taylor's agent told Reuters.
Taylor won praise for Designing Women, which ran from 1986 to 1993, and is fondly remembered as flamboyant window dresser Hollywood in Mannequin.
Taylor was lauded for his comic timing in his portrayal of affable assistant Anthony Bouvier in Designing Women, a show about an outspoken feminist who runs a design firm out of her Atlanta home.
The series also starred Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Annie Potts and Jean Smart.
Over its seven series run, it was nominated for many awards including two Golden Globes.
In 1989, Taylor was nominated for an Emmy award for best supporting actor in a comedy series.
The 1987 movie Mannequin, about a young artist who creates the "perfect woman" mannequin who miraculously comes to life, has become something of cult classic.
The film starred Andrew McCarthy and Kim Cattrall with Taylor playing department store window dresser Hollywood Montrose.
Taylor went on to star in the 1991 Mannequin sequel Mannequin: On The Move. He also had parts in TV shows Dave's World, The Incredible Hulk and ALF; and enjoyed a successful stage career.
Taylor was born in Boston on April 11 1947. In 1978, he moved to California to pursue an acting career in Hollywood.
He is survived by his widow Bianca, four children and his 100-year-old mother.