‘Stranger Things,’ ‘Dynasty’ actor from Upstate NY dies at 77

An actor from Upstate New York known for roles on “Stranger Things” and “Dynasty” is dead at age 77.

Mark Withers, a Binghamton, N.Y., native, died on Nov. 22 in California after a battle with pancreatic cancer, his daughter Jessie announced Friday.

“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 said in a statement to Variety. “Mark’s enduring talent and commitment to the industry will be fondly remembered by colleagues, friends, and fans alike.”

Mark Withers memorably had a six-episode arc on the first season of “Dynasty” in 1981, according to Deadline. He played Ted Dinard, the gay lover of Steven Carrington (played by Al Corley) before an untimely death.

According to E! News, Withers saw the role as one of the first LGBTQ+ characters featured on U.S. television without “sensationalism.”

Withers appeared in more than 50 other movies and TV shows, including on the first season of “Stranger Things” as Gary, a coroner in the Hawkins morgue. Additional credits include “Wonder Woman,” “Frasier,” “Dallas,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “Hillstreet Blues,” “Remington Steele,” “The King of Queens,” “True Blood,” “Drop Dead Diva,” “Matlock,” “Criminal Minds,” “Castle,” “Sense8,” and “Magnum, P.I.”

Variety reports he also starred in national ad campaigns for McDonald’s, Folger’s Coffee, Irish Spring, Tartar Control Crest and American Airlines.

“I guess you could go for the million-dollar stuff. Me, I didn’t,” he said in a podcast interview about his career, according to E! News. “I guess I would have liked to be a little more famous, but the reality is that when I look back on it and I see all the wonderful people I worked with, I’m just, wow. I’m a pretty lucky actor, I really am.”

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Withers was born June 25, 1947, in Binghamton and earned a college football scholarship to Penn State University, according to Variety. He went on to study acting at California State University, Los Angeles, before getting his Master of Fine Arts at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Withers is survived by his wife, Haiyan Liu Withers, and his daughter, Jessie Withers. Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.