Mel Stewart to 1978. In the 1980s, Stewart starred on "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" as section chief Billy Melrose during the show's four-year run from 1983 through 1987, and continued guest starring in both television and films. His last on screen appearance came in the 1993 film "Made in America", starring Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson. In addition to acting and directing, Stewart was an accomplished jazz saxophonist. A longtime resident of San Francisco, he also taught acting at San Francisco State University. His students included actor Danny Glover. He established the theater group Black Actors Now Through Unity (BANTU) and directed
Ted Danson from Poland syndrome. While a guest on "The Arsenio Hall Show" in late 1988, he met actress Whoopi Goldberg, whom he described as "a sexy, funny woman". The two became friends, co-hosting "Help Save Planet Earth" in 1990, a video guide to saving the environment (Danson played himself, Goldberg played the role of Mother Earth). However while making "Made in America" in April 1992, the two became romantically involved—a pairing which was heavily featured in gossip tabloids such as the "National Enquirer". The couple also appeared on the Rock the Vote TV special that same year, as well as being