The “Kaz” and “Dynasty” actor was 77 years old

Mark Withers, the prolific television actor with notable roles in series like dynasty And Kazhas died.

Jessie Withers, the actor’s daughter, confirmed his death Weekly entertainmentwrites: “Mark Fred Withers, a versatile actor who played numerous roles in television, film and theater, passed away on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the age of 77, after a brave two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.”

Withers was born in Binghampton, NY in 1947. He studied football on a scholarship at Penn State before heading to the West Coast to try his luck in Hollywood. A nationwide campaign for McDonald’s eventually led to small parts in series like Wonder Woman And How the West was conqueredas well as television films such as the 1978 presidential comedy Wild and woollywith Vic Morrow and Jessica Walter.

His big break came in the form of Peter Colcourt, the character offered to him in the popular but short-lived Trial Kaz. Withers appeared in each of them KazThe series ran for 22 episodes and rebounded shortly after its cancellation in 1979 with one of the roles that would be remembered for the rest of his career.

Withers appeared in just six episodes of the ABC soap sensation’s first season dynastybut its plot has laid a crucial foundation in the fight for expanded representation on screen.

He played Ted Dinard, the secret lover of Al Corley’s Steven Carrington, son of wealthy oil tycoon Blake Carrington (series lead John Forsythe). Midway through the first season, the out and proud Ted visits Steven, providing a fascinating contrast to Steven’s reluctance to embrace his sexuality, especially for fear of his father’s reprisals.

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After Blake witnesses Ted and Steven hugging after an amicable breakup, he attacks Ted in a homophobic rage, causing him to hit his head and die. Ted’s appearance on the show was largely unprecedented for the television landscape of the time, and his fearless performance continues to be noted in the annals of queer media history.

In an interview in 2018, Withers reflected on the role, saying that for the time it was “not only very unusual, but it really broke a lot of barriers,” which in retrospect he was “proud” to have been involved in his “was very, very, very, very, 30, 40 years ahead of his time.”

Withers continued to do single-episode spots on television series such as: Magnum, P.I, Hill Street Blues, MatlockAnd Criminal minds. He also appeared in the recurring role of Coach Locke Days of our livesMorris on the sixth season of True bloodand most recently Lawrence in the Wachowskis Sense8.

Withers’ daughter Jessie wrote that her father “faced his illness with the same strength and dignity he brought to his craft, leaving a legacy filled with warmth, humor and dedication, coupled with his remarkable ability to make every role memorable.” Mark’s continued talent and commitment to the industry will be fondly remembered by colleagues, friends and fans alike.

The actor leaves behind daughter Jessie and wife Haiyan Liu Withers. The family requests that in lieu of flowers Donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.