Mark Withers, Actor on ‘Dynasty’ and ‘Kaz,’ Dies at 77

Mark Withers, who had recurring roles on such shows as Kaz, Dynasty and Days of Our Lives, has died. He was 77.

Withers died Nov. 22 after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, his daughter, Jessie Withers, told The Hollywood Reporter.

“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 wrote in a tribute. His “enduring talent and commitment to the industry will be fondly remembered by colleagues, friends and fans alike.”

Withers portrayed Peter Colcourt on the Ron Leibman-starring CBS crime drama Kaz from 1978-79, Ted Dinard on ABC’s Dynasty in 1981 — he’s murdered by Blake Carrington (John Forsythe), leading to Joan Collins joining the series as Alexis Carrington — and Coach Locke on NBC’s Days of Our Lives from 1986-87.

He also appeared on dozens of other shows, including How the West Was Won, Wonder Woman, Best of the West, Magnum, P.I., The Dukes of Hazzard, Hart to Hart, It’s Your Move, Remington Steele, Dallas, Matlock, The King of Queens, Frasier, Criminal Minds, Ruby & Martin, Drop Dead Diva, True Blood, Castle, Reckless, Stranger Things and Sense8.

Born on June 25, 1947, in Binghamton, New York, Withers was a football star at Chenango Valley High School and received a scholarship to play at Penn State University. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in acting and directing from California State University Los Angeles and his master’s in theater performance from Minnesota State University.

He made his start in commercials, appearing in national campaigns for McDonald’s, Folger’s Coffee, Irish Spring soap, Tartar Control Crest toothpaste and American Airlines, among others. It wouldn’t be until years later that he landed on TV shows, eventually getting his SAG card.

As for films, Withers’ credits included Wild and Wooly, Something About Amelia, Her Life as a Man, Basic Training, Alex: The Life of a Child, The Ultimate Life, Turn Around Jake, The Phoenix Incident, Bolden and The Creatress.

In addition to his daughter, Withers is survived by his wife, Haiyan Liu Withers. Donations in his memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.