Mark Withers, an actor known for his guest and supporting roles on shows such as Stranger Things, Dynasty and Magnum, P.I., has died at age 77.
Withers died Nov. 22 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, his daughter Jessie Withers announced.
“He faced his illness with the same strength and dignity that he brought to his craft, creating a legacy of warmth, humor and dedication, along with his remarkable ability to make every role unforgettable,” he 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, although he remained productive in the years prior.
One of his most notable subsequent roles was in 2016, when he appeared as coroner Gary in the first season of Netflix’s hit sci-fi horror series, Stranger Things.
Although he only appeared in one episode of the series, it was a pivotal episode involving the chilling examination of a seemingly dead corpse.
Mark Withers, an actor known for his guest and supporting roles on shows such as Stranger Things, Dynasty and Magnum, P.I., has died at age 77; photographed in stranger things
Withers died on November 22 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, his daughter Jessie Withers announced; photographed in Magnum, PI
Withers began appearing on television in the late 1970s, but one of his first notable roles was on Dynasty in 1981 as Ted Dinard, the boyfriend of Steve Carrington (Al Corley).
He appeared in a six-episode arc in which his relationship with Steve came to an end, before Steve’s father, Blake (John Forsythe), accidentally killed him in a fit of rage.
Withers also had small roles in shows such as Wonder Woman, Trapper John, MD, 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 in eight episodes of Days Of Our Lives as Coach Locke.
Withers appears to have taken a break from film and television in the 1990s, aside from an appearance in the 1998 film Southern Man.
He returned to television with a role in Frasier in 2001, and followed up with small roles in higher profile shows including The King Of Queens and Criminal Minds.
In the 2010s, he appeared in 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 television work, Withers occasionally dabbled in film.
Withers began appearing on television in the late 1970s, but one of his first notable roles was on Dynasty in 1981 as Ted Dinard, the boyfriend of Steve Carrington (Al Corley); pictured around 1980
Withers (right) also had small roles in shows such as Wonder Woman, Trapper John, MD, 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 in 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.
Before working in Hollywood, Withers was a star athlete who had earned a football scholarship to Penn State, according to Variety.
He prepared for bigger roles by working for a time in commercials, including a prominent national campaign for McDonald’s.
He also sold 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 daughter Jessie.
His family has suggested that any donations in his memory be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.