Mark Withers, Dynasty and Stranger Things Actor, Dead at 77 After Cancer Battle – E! Online

Hollywood has lost a veteran TV star.

Mark Withers, best known for roles on shows such as the original ’80s series Dynasty, has died. He was 77.

The actor passed away after battling pancreatic cancer, his daughter Jessie Withers told Variety in comments published Dec. 6.

“He confronted his illness with the same strength and dignity he brought to his craft,” she said in a statement to the outlet, “to creating a legacy of warmth, humor, and dedication, along with his remarkable ability to make every role unforgettable.”

Jessie continued, “Mark’s enduring talent and commitment to the industry will be fondly remembered by colleagues, friends, and fans alike.”

Mark, a native of Binghamton, New York, began his onscreen acting career in the 1970s, landing parts in commercials and shows such as How the West Was Won, Kaz and Wonder Woman.

In 1981, he made his debut on Dynasty playing Ted Dinard, his breakout role, which he played on several episodes. The character was the gay lover of Steven Carrington, played by Al Corley. The two were among the first LGBTQ+ characters featured on U.S. television without “sensationalism,” as Withers put it, and on the show’s first season, no less.