Meshach Taylor was born on the 11th April 1947, in Boston, Massachusetts USA, and was an actor best known for his roles in the television series “Designing Women” (1986 – 1993) and “Dave’s World” (1993 – 1997). Taylor had been active in the entertainment industry from 1977 until he passed away 2014.
How much was the net worth of Meshach Taylor? It had been reported by authoritative sources that the overall size of his wealth was as much as $500,000, converted to the present day. Films and television were the major sources of Taylor’s modest fortune.
Meshach Taylor Net Worth $500,000
To begin with, Taylor’s parents were both professors. Meshach Taylor matriculated from Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis 1964, and then studied dramatic arts at Wilmington College (Ohio) and Florida A&M, but didn’t formally graduated from Florida A&M University until 1993.
Concerning his professional career, Meshach Taylor received a Joseph Jefferson Award in 1977 for his performance in the play “Sizwe Banzi is Dead”, and was nominated for the same award for his performance in “Native Son” (1979). His first engagement before the camera was the film “Damien Omen II” (1978), and he subsequently played in Michael Crichton’s thriller “Coma” (1978). In the third season of television series “The Incredible Hulk” (1979), Taylor had his first television appearance. In 1981, he was in the horror film by Joe Dante “The Beast”, followed in 1983 by appearing as Tony in 26 episodes of the sitcom “Buffalo Bill”. In the science fiction adventure “Explorers” (1985) he received a secondary role, with the two then 15-year-olds Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix in main roles. In the sitcom “Golden Girls” Meshach Taylor was seen as a police officer. Subsequently, he had a guest appearance in the series “Alf”. In the television series “Hill Street Blues” he played two roles in 1982 and 1986, then in the film drama “Inside Out” he was in the main cast in the role of Freddy and with Elliott Gould in front of the camera.
Then Taylor starred in 145 episodes in the TV series “Man Must Not Be” (1986 – 1993), and subsequently appeared in the series “Always Trouble with Dave” (1993 – 1997). His net worth was rising steadily through consistent employment.
In 1998, Taylor had his Broadway debut as Lumiere in “The Beauty and the Beast” in which he played alongside Toni Braxton, then landed the roles in the films “Jacks or Better” (2000) and “Friends & Family” (2001), and in the television series “Ned: How to Survive Studies” (2004), “All of Us” (2004), “Hannah Montana” (2007) and others. His last appearances were made in the feature films “Wigger” (2010) and “Hyenas” (2011), as well as the television series “Jessie” (2012).
Finally, in the personal life of the actor, Taylor was married to Bianca Ferguson from1983; they had three children together, plus another child he had from a previous relationship. Meshach Taylor died in June 2014 at the age of 67 in Altadena, California, after suffering from colorectal cancer.
Jeff Award for Actor in a Principal Role in a Play (1979), Viewers for Quality Television Awards - Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Comedy Series(1988-1990), Jury Prize - Best Ensemble Acting (2000),
Nominations
Primetime Emmy Awards (1989),
Movies
“Sizwe Banzi is Dead”(1977), “Native Son” (1979), “Coma” (1978), “The Beast” (1981)
TV Shows
“Designing Women” (1986-1993), “Dave’s World” (1993-1997), “The Incredible Hulk” (1979), “Buffalo Bill” (1983), “Explorers” (1985), “Hill Street Blues” (1982-1986), “Man Must Not Be” (1986 – 1993), “Always Trouble with Dave” (1993 – 1997)
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Fact
1
Close friends with Joe Mantegna. The pair were friends for over 40 years.
2
Following his death, he was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.
3
Survived by his wife, Bianca Ferguson; daughters Tamar, Esme and Yasmine; son Tariq; and four grandchildren.
Attended and graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1964.
6
He was nominated for a 1979 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Principal Role in a Play for "Native Son", at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
7
He was awarded the 1977 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Principal Role in a Play for his performance in "Sizwe Banzi is Dead", at the Goodman Stage II Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
8
Received his Bachelor's degree in Theatre from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida (1993).
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Criminal Minds
2012-2014
TV Series
Harrison Scott
Silencio
2013/I
Short
Mr. Black
He Knows My Heart
2012
Short
Bishop Alexander Jameson Sr.
Jessie
2012
TV Series
Grimm Haloran
Photo Finish
2011/II
Short
Ethan Fletcher
Hyenas
2011
Crazy Briggs
Wigger
2010
Charles Pruitt
Tranced
2010
Cabbie
Club Fiji
2008
Video
Ratu Billy
Hannah Montana
2008
TV Series
Dahliano
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
2004-2007
TV Series
Mr. Wright
The Unit
2006
TV Series
Howard Whitwell
All of Us
2005
TV Series
Roger - Neesee's Father
Friends and Family
2001
Bruno
The Drew Carey Show
2001
TV Series
Oswald's Double
Static Shock
2000
TV Series
Doctor Harris
Jacks or Better
2000
Ron
Cousin Skeeter
2000
TV Series
The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald: The Visitors from Outer Space
1999
Video short
Pink Planet (voice)
The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue
1998
Video
Cecil (voice, as Moshach Taylor)
The Angry Beavers
1998
TV Series
Bus Driver / Cyclops
The Right Connections
1997
TV Movie
Lionel Clark
Dave's World
1993-1997
TV Series
Shel Baylor
Caroline in the City
1996
TV Series
Caroline's Agent James
Nothing Lasts Forever
1995
TV Movie
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters
1995
TV Series
Barber Monster
Women of the House
1995
TV Series
Anthony Bouvier
Virtual Seduction
1995
TV Movie
Anderson
ABC Weekend Specials
1995
TV Series
Rat
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
1995
TV Series
The Woodcutter
Burke's Law
1994
TV Series
Ozzie Banks
Double, Double Toil and Trouble
1993
TV Movie
Mr. N
Designing Women
1986-1993
TV Series
Anthony Bouvier
In the Heat of the Night
1992
TV Series
Tyler Corbin
Class Act
1992
Duncan's Dad
Mannequin: On the Move
1991
Hollywood Montrose Doorman
How to Murder a Millionaire
1990
TV Movie
Danny
Ultra Warrior
1990
Elijah
Kid Safe: The Video
1988
Video short
Marty
Punky Brewster
1987
TV Series
Delivery Man
House of Games
1987
Mr. Dean
The Allnighter
1987
Hotel Detective Philip
The Last Innocent Man
1987
TV Movie
Crosby
Mannequin
1987
Hollywood
What's Happening Now!
1985-1987
TV Series
Buddy
Inside Out
1986
Freddy
Hill Street Blues
1982-1986
TV Series
Con Man / Sloan
ALF
1986
TV Series
Addison
One More Saturday Night
1986
Bill Neal
Melba
1986
TV Series
The Golden Girls
1985
TV Series
The Cop
Warning Sign
1985
Video Technician #2
Explorers
1985
Gordon Miller
Buffalo Bill
1983-1984
TV Series
Tony
The Haircut
1982
Short
Sam (Shoe Shine Man)
Cagney & Lacey
1982
TV Series
Stereo Salesman
Barney Miller
1982
TV Series
Melvin Jackson
The Beast Within
1982
Deputy Herbert
Fly Away Home
1981
TV Movie as Meshack Taylor
M*A*S*H
1981
TV Series
Orderly
The Howling
1981
Shantz (as Mesach Taylor)
Lou Grant
1979-1981
TV Series
Kinsasha / Marcus Prescott / Calvin
The White Shadow
1980
TV Series
Chipper
The Incredible Hulk
1979
TV Series
M.P.
Stony Island
1978
Aldeman's Yes-Man
Barnaby Jones
1978
TV Series
Parking Lot Attendant
Damien: Omen II
1978
Dr. Kane
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue
1998
Video performer: "Magic Mystery Show"
Mannequin: On the Move
1991
performer: "Casa De Coati"
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Criminal Minds: Season 8 - New Directions
2013
Video short
Himself
Criminal Minds: Season 8 - The Profiler's Handbook: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
2013
Video short
Himself
Shooting Gallery
2013
TV Series
Himself
Celebrity Ghost Stories
2012
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Wendy Williams Show
2011
TV Series
Himself
The Actor's Journey
2011
Video documentary
Himself
The Actor's Journey for Kids
2011
Video documentary
Himself
Living Live!
2007
TV Series
Himself - Host / Himself
Pet Star
2004-2005
TV Series documentary
Judge
The Great American Celebrity Spelling Bee
2004
TV Mini-Series
Himself
The Designing Women Reunion
2003
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Rendez-View
2002
TV Series
Himself
To Tell the Truth
2001-2002
TV Series
Himself - Panelist
Entertainment Tonight Presents: The Real Designing Women
2000
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Harry Anderson: The Tricks of His Trade
1996
TV Special
John & Leeza from Hollywood
1993
TV Series
Himself
Ebony/Jet Showcase
1988-1993
TV Series
Himself
The 14th Annual American Black Achievement Awards
1993
TV Special
Himself
Circus of the Stars and Sideshow
1992
TV Special documentary
Himself - Performer
One on One with John Tesh
1992
TV Series
Himself
The Arsenio Hall Show
1992
TV Series
Himself
Laughing Back: Comedy Takes a Stand
1992
TV Movie
Himself
The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1991
TV Special
Himself - Presenter: Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries or a Special
Motown 30: What's Goin' On!
1990
TV Special
Himself
The 41st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
1989
TV Special
Himself - Nominee: Outstanding Supporting Actor in Comedy Series & Co-Presenter: Best Lead Actress / Actor in Drama Series