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Stranger Things actor Mark Withers dead at 77: Dynasty star passes away after pancreatic cancer battle

BBG News

As a devoted fan of the captivating world of entertainment, I find myself deeply saddened by the news of Mark Withers’ passing. His illustrious career spanning over four decades has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of countless viewers, including my own.

Acting veteran Mark Withers, recognized for his appearances as a guest star and supporting character on series like Stranger Things, Dynasty, and Magnum, P.I., passed away at the age of 77.

In a heartfelt update, I’m sharing that I recently lost a dear friend and mentor to pancreatic cancer on November 22nd. His beloved daughter, Jessie Withers, was the one who shared this tragic news with us all.

In a statement given to Variety on Friday, she expressed that he faced his illness with the same robustness and grace he applied to his work, leaving behind a lasting impression of kindness, laughter, and devotion. Alongside his exceptional talent for making each character indelible, Mark’s impact on the industry will be cherished by his peers, acquaintances, and admirers.

According to IMDb, Withers last appeared on screen in 2019, but he was still active and productive in the years leading up to that.

In one of his more notable late-career appearances, he played the role of Coroner Gary during the first season of Netflix’s popular sci-fi/horror show, Stranger Things, in 2016.

Regardless of him featuring in just one installment of the show, that particular episode was crucial because it delved into a gripping exploration of what seemed to be a lifeless corpse.

Starting from the late 1970s, Withers made his television debut, yet it wasn’t until 1981 that he landed a notable role. This role was on Dynasty as Ted Dinard, the love interest of Steve Carrington, played by 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.

Additionally, Withers appeared in minor roles for various television series such as Wonder Woman, Trapper John, M.D., 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.

During the ’90s, it seems that Withers primarily stepped away from acting in films and TV series, with the exception of his role in the 1998 movie “Southern Man.

In 2001, he made his comeback to television with a part on the show “Frasier.” Subsequently, he took on minor roles in more prominent productions such as “The King of Queens” and “Criminal Minds.

During the 2010s decade, he made guest appearances in three episodes of True Blood as the character Morris, an additional episode of Castle, and two episodes within the Netflix show Sense8, a series jointly created by the Wachowski duo.

Although he was primarily known for his work on television, Withers occasionally dabbled in film.

He had roles in the low-budget productions Basic Training, The Ultimate Life, Turn Around Jake and Bolden.

Before his career in Hollywood, Withers was a renowned athlete who had won a football scholarship at Penn State, as reported by Variety.

He warmed up to bigger roles with a stint working in commercials, including a prominent national campaign for McDonald’s.

Additionally, he promoted products such as American Airlines tickets, Folger’s Coffee, Irish Spring soap, and Crest toothpaste, along with several other brands.

Withers is survived by his wife, Haiyan Liu Withers, and his daughter Jessie. 

Instead of making donations directly, they’ve recommended channeling them towards St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his honor.

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2024-12-07 07:33

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