Mark Withers, an actor known for guest and supporting roles on shows including Stranger Things, Dynasty and Magnum, P.I., has died at 77.
Withers died on November 22 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, his daughter Jessie Withers announced.
‘He confronted his illness with the same strength and dignity he brought to his craft, creating a legacy of warmth, humor, and dedication, along with his remarkable ability to make every role unforgettable,’ she said in a statement to Variety on Friday. ‘Mark’s enduring talent and commitment to the industry will be fondly remembered by colleagues, friends, and fans alike.’
Withers’ last on-screen role is from 2019, according to IMDb, though he remained productive in the preceding years.
One of his most high-profile later roles was in 2016, when he appeared as the Coroner Gary the first season of Netflix’s hit sci-fi/horror series Stranger Things.
Although he only appeared in a single episode of the series, it was a pivotal episode involving the chilling examination of a seemingly dead body.
Mark Withers, an actor known for guest and supporting roles on shows including Stranger Things, Dynasty and Magnum, P.I., has died at 77; pictured on Stranger Things
Withers died on November 22 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, his daughter Jessie Withers announced; pictured on Magnum, P.I.
Withers began appearing on television beginning in the late 1970s, but one of his earliest high-profile roles was on Dynasty in 1981 as Ted Dinard, the boyfriend of Steve Carrington (Al Corley).
He appeared on a six-episode arc that saw his relationship with Steve come to an end, before Steve’s father Blake (John Forsythe) accidentally killed him in a fit of rage.
Withers also had small roles on shows including Wonder Woman, Trapper John, M.D., Death Of A Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story, The Dukes Of Hazzard, Hart To Hart, Remington Steele, Dallas and Matlock.
From 1986 to 1987, he also appeared on eight episodes of Days Of Our Lives as Coach Locke.
Withers appears to have mostly taken a break from film and television in the 1990s, aside from an appearance in the 1998 film Southern Man.
He returned to TV with a role on Frasier in 2001, and followed it up with small parts on more high-profile shows including The King Of Queens and Criminal Minds.
In the 2010s, he appeared on three episodes of True Blood as Morris, along with one episode of Castle and two episodes of Sense8, the Netflix series co-created by the Wachowskis.
Although he was primarily known for his work on television, Withers occasionally dabbled in film.
Withers began appearing on television beginning in the late 1970s, but one of his earliest high-profile roles was on Dynasty in 1981 as Ted Dinard, the boyfriend of Steve Carrington (Al Corley); pictured circa 1980
Withers (R) also had small roles on shows including Wonder Woman, Trapper John, M.D., Death Of A Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story, The Dukes Of Hazzard (pictured), Hart To Hart, Remington Steele, Dallas and Matlock
He worked steadily in the 1980s but took a break in the 1990s before returning to television in the 2000s. In the 2010s, he appeared on three episodes of True Blood as Morris, along with one episode of Castle and two episodes of Sense8 (pictured)
He had roles in the low-budget productions Basic Training, The Ultimate Life, Turn Around Jake and Bolden.
Prior to working in Hollywood, Withers was a star athlete who had secured a football scholarship to Penn State, according to Variety.
He warmed up to bigger roles with a stint working in commercials, including a prominent national campaign for McDonald’s.
He also hawked ads for American Airlines, Folger’s Coffee, Irish Spring soap and Crest toothpaste, among others.
Withers is survived by his wife, Haiyan Liu Withers, and his daughter Jessie.
His family has suggested that any donations in his memory be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.