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Meshach Taylor

Meshach Taylor

Actor · Died June 28, 2014, aged 67 · Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Meshach Taylor (April 11, 1947 – June 28, 2014) was an American actor. He was widely known for his role as Anthony Bouvier on the CBS sitcom Designing Women (1986–93), for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He was also known for his portrayal of Hollywood Montrose, a flamboyant window dresser in the 1987 film Mannequin and its 1991 sequel. Taylor also appeared as Sheldon Baylor on the CBS sitcom Dave's World (1993–97), Tony on the NBC sitcom Buffalo Bill, and social studies teacher (and later school principal) Alastair Wright on the Nickelodeon sitcom Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 11, 1947
Died
June 28, 2014 (aged 67)
From
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
41 on MovieCove · 59 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 49% in 30 days

What are Meshach Taylor's films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
39%
Self
25%
Morality
18%
Society
10%
Survival
4%
Power
4%
Romantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 12 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 9 · Serious 2 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 6 · Charged 4 · Intense 2

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 5 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 8 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Trickster: 3 of 7 analyzed roles.

Trickster
3 of 7
Ally
3 of 7
Mentor
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
8
Tense
3
Warm
5
Absurd
5
Romantic
2
Other
11

How their films linger

Feel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet2
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Meshach Taylor's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 31 of their 41 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Meshach Taylor's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

59 credits, 41 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Jessie(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Grimm Haloran

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • Hyenas(2011)

    as Crazy Briggs

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Wigger(2010)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Tranced (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Cabbie

  • Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Mr. Wright

  • Hannah Montana(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Dahliano

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • The Unit(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Howard Whitwell

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Harrison Scott

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide(2004)

    Show 24 episodes · as Mr. Wright

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • All of Us(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • The Designing Women Reunion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Friends and Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Bruno

  • Static Shock(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Harris (voice)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald: The Visitors from Outer Space(1999)

    as Pink Planet (voice)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue(1998)

    as Cecil (voice)

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • The Right Connections (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Lionel Clark

  • Caroline in the City(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Caroline's Agent James

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • The Drew Carey Show(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Oswald's Double

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Virtual Seduction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Anderson

  • Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as The Woodcutter (voice)

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Jirimpimbira: An African Folk Tale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as The Rat

  • Women of the House(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Anthony Bouvier

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • Burke's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Ozzie Banks

  • Double, Double Toil and Trouble(1993)

    as Sr. N

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Dave's World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 98 episodes · as Shel Baylor

  • Hearts Afire(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Shel Baylor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • Class Act(1992)

    as Duncan's Dad

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Mannequin: On the Move(1991)

    as Hollywood Montrose / Doorman

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • How to Murder a Millionaire(1990)

    as Danny

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Ultra Warrior (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Elijah

  • Kid Safe: The Video (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Marty

  • House of Games(1987)

    as Mr. Dean

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Inside Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Freddy

  • The Allnighter(1987)

    as Hotel Detective Philip

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • The Last Innocent Man(1987)

    as Crosby

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Mannequin(1987)

    as Hollywood

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Designing Women(1986)

    Show 163 episodes · as Anthony Bouvier

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • ALF(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Addison

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • One More Saturday Night(1986)

    as Bill Neal

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Melba (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Golden Girls(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Cop

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Warning Sign(1985)

    as Video Technician #2

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Explorers(1985)

    as Gordon Miller

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Punky Brewster(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Delivery Man

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Buffalo Bill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 26 episodes · as Tony

  • The Haircut (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Sam (Shoe Shine Man)

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • The Beast Within(1982)

    as Deputy Herbert

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Fly Away Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • The Howling(1981)

    as Shantz

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Con Man · as Sloan

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • The White Shadow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Chipper

  • Stony Island(1978)

    as Alderman's Yes-Man

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Damien: Omen II(1978)

    as Dr Kane

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Incredible Hulk(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as M.P.

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Lou Grant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Kinsasha · as Marcus Prescott

  • Barney Miller(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Melvin Jackson

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Barnaby Jones(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Parking Lot Attendant

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • M*A*S*H(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Orderly

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 59 titles from 1972 to 2011; peak year 1986.

Biggest box office

Mannequin (1987)

$43M worldwide

Highest rated

House of Games (1987)

Midcredits 88th

Most popular right now

Designing Women (1986)

Film career

19722011

Peak 1986 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting59 of 59: 59 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score47th

By decade

1970s8 · acting1980s21 · acting1990s17 · acting2000s9 · acting2010s4 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 0% of 14 roles
7888

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Meshach Taylor's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 47th percentile, the median of all 19; across their 12 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 43rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

43rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Approval · how many liked their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Reach · how many have seen their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Midcredits score across 41 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 41 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser9
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

Wigger (2010)

99th percentile spread · 50% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

House of Games (1987)

Midcredits 88th · 76% liked

Reviewers score the acting 52/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 69, detractors 37. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Meshach Taylor's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Meshach Taylor work with?

People who share at least 2 of Meshach Taylor's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Edward Rugoff shares the most, 2.

Writers

Actors

Composers