Meshach Taylor
Meshach Taylor began studying acting in high school after his family moved to Indianapolis and continued his studies at Wilmington College in Ohio, with the hope to gain some strong acting experience.
Taylor found that there was little opportunity for African-American actors in their program, so he transferred to Florida.
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Full Bio
Taylor found that there was little opportunity for African-American actors in their program, so he transferred to Florida A&M in Tallahassee. A few credits short of completing his studies, Taylor returned to Indianapolis where he began to work at a local radio station as a State House political correspondent. For two years he traveled with the national touring company.
He joined the Organic Theatre group in Chicago where he met and worked with good friends Joe Mantegna and Dennis Franz. While there, he also became part of Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, where his performance in Sizwe Banzo Is Dead won him the Joseph Jefferson Award. Taylor also won a Chicago area Emmy for his performance in the PBS production of Huckleberry Finn, and he hosted his own talk show, Black Life, on the local NBC affiliate.
Upon moving to Hollywood, Taylor landed a role in the feature film Damien – Omen II. He also joined the Westwood Playhouse production of Sizwe Banzo Is Dead, made guest appearances on Barney Miller, Lou Grant, The White Shadow and MAS*H, and landed a regular role on the Buffalo Bill series, co-starring Dabney Coleman and Geena Davis. Meshach Taylor is probably best known to audiences for his Emmy-nominated portrayal of Anthony Bouvier for seven seasons on CBS’s Designing Women, and then as Harry Anderson’s college buddy and neighbor Sheldon Baylor on Dave’s World.
Taylor’s other credits include the CBS telefilm How to Murder a Millionaire, the hit comedies Mannequin and Mannequin Two: On the Move in which he portrayed the outrageous and flamboyant window dresser Hollywood, a cameo appearance in A Class Act, the ABC movie-of-the-week Double, Double Toil and Trouble opposite twins Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Virtual Seduction for Showtime/Concorde New Horizon, and CBS movie-of-the-week Nothing Lasts Forever with Vanessa Williams and Brooke Shields.
On May 1, 1993, Taylor finally returned to Florida A&M to graduate. When not working, Meshach spends as much time as possible with his family: his beautiful wife Bianca, his three daughters, Tamar, Yasmine, Esme and his son Tariq.
Meshach Taylor’s no Martha Stewart, but he acquired enough expertise dabbling in his own garden to host Urban Gardener with Meshach Taylor, a series on Home & Garden Television. Following his stint on HGT, Meshach also appeared on Broadway as Lumier in Beauty and the Beast and in an independent film called Jacks or Better. And in 2000, Meshach went on to co-star as a celebrity panelist in a remake of the classic game show To Tell the Truth.
Meshach continues to act, recently appearing in the independent cult film, Friends & Family.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
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An Evening With Meshach Taylor
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Remembering 'Designing Women' Star Meshach Taylor
Meshach Taylor of 'Designing Women' dies at 67
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