Mark Withers, an actor known for several high-profile television roles, including the gay character Ted Dinard on the 1980s primetime soap “Dynasty,” has died. He was reportedly 77 years old.

News of his Nov. 22 death was confirmed to Variety on Friday by Withers’ daughter Jessie Withers, who identified the cause as pancreatic cancer.

The elder Withers enjoyed a successful television career in the ’80s — with appearances on shows like “Matlock,” “Magnum, PI,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “Dallas” and “LA Law” — but gained attention again in 2016 as a coroner Gary in Season 1 of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things.

While he also played Coach Locke in eight episodes of the daytime soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” Withers is best known for portraying Ted, the friend and confidant of Steven Carrington, the treasured son and heir of the titular family in the first season of ” Dynasty.” ” in 1981.

At the time, playing an LGBTQ+ character on a major American TV show was a rarity for an actor in a drama. In 2018, Withers said on the “Hollywood and Beyond” podcast that the creators of “Dynasty” were “brilliant at pushing the boundaries” by portraying an authentic gay relationship without adding excessive scandal or humor. He said the relationship with Steven was “30, 40 years ahead of its time.”

Most recently, Withers played roles in series such as “Frasier,” “Criminal Minds,” “Sense8,” “Castle” and “Drop Dead Diva.”

Jessie Withers said of her father in a statement to Variety:

“He faced his illness with the same strength and dignity that he brought to his craft, leaving behind a legacy full of warmth, humor and dedication, coupled with his remarkable ability to make every role unforgettable.” Colleagues, friends and fans will would like to remember Mark’s enduring talent and commitment to the industry.”

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