Meshach Taylor has died

[dragonflies]

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. Our friends who know and love us, please offer your prayers for his peace and blazing light as he ascends to the heavens. Those who need to call the family please do. Those who desire to post memories, we are open and graciously accepting all gestures of peace. Love,

the Taylor Family Tariq Taylor Yasmine Taylor Tamar Lashae Taylor Esme Taylor

[DRW50]

I didn't even know he was ill.

I always loved his scenes with Delta Burke, and then that hilarious, random episode where he thought Julia was in love with him.

[robbwolff]

Actually, he appears to be in the final stage of whatever illness he has. From all indications a few hours ago, he was still hanging on. That said, it's very sad news. I loved the friendship his character Anthony on Designing Women had with Alice Ghostley's Bernice and Delta Burke's Suzanne.

[MissLlanviewPA]

^^I just checked, and yes, he has passed away now. RIP.

[All My Shadows]

I didn't realize he was ill, either, but I just looked at his Wikipedia page, which has a photo from two months ago, and you can tell he was sick with something.

So sad. DW was my favorite show at a very young age, and I loved Anthony and Bernice the most. I also liked him on the To Tell the Truth.

[DramatistDreamer]

Wow, truly sad indeed. Hoping his family can comfort each other and will be gathered together to remember him and give him whatever type of homegoing he desired.

How many people in the world of Arts & Entertainment have died in the past few weeks? It feels like so many..

[DRW50]

It feels like quite a few people this year. I know we say that every year, but perhaps this year it was just more people I cared about, I don't know.

[Pine Charles]

He'll always be 'Hollywood Montrose' to me.

"Albert left me, that bitch."

RIP

[SFK]

Oh my God, no. I didn't even realize that DW was currently airing in syndication until just the other day. It was the episode where Suzanne had Anthony dress up like Consuela so she could get her citizenship. Meshach and Delta, and Meshach and Miss Alice were particularly great together (♫BLACK MAN, BLACK MAN, WHERE DID YOU COME FROM!?...♫). Miss Dixie was already an incredible blow, this is so sad, my heart goes out to his family.

And yes, AMS, I liked him on TTTT too, with his patterned rayon shirts and gold jewelry.

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[MissLlanviewPA]

After looking around a bit, it looks he is actually still alive, but is indeed on his death bed due to a terminal illness (his family has yet to say what it is). The FB post itself is a little confusing as to whether it meant he is dead or is alive but in the process of dying, and it looks like every news story that has reported on it took the "begun his grand transition" line to mean that he was already dead, and reported it as much (and I'm as guilty as anyone else for coming to that conclusion, too).

So in other words, it looks like he is still alive right now, but not for much longer.

[SFK]

Yeah, I've been reading around, and we've jumped the gun. He is transitioning, but he has yet to transition.

[robbwolff]

His family came out and clarified today that he is alive. They said that they were appreciative of the notes of condolence they received after the erroneous reports of his death.

[DRW50]

His mother is still alive and apparently well, nearing age 100.

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2014/06/15/longtime-ips-teacher-celebrates-th-birthday/10556101/

[Taoboi]

THIS.

WOW.

SHOCKED.

[dragonflies]

His Agent has confirmed his death

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/29/showbiz/actor-meschach-taylor-death/index.html