R.I.P. Clarence Gilyard Jr., Die Hard and Walker, Texas Ranger star
The Matlock and Top Gun actor has died at the age of 66
Aux News Walker, Texas Ranger![R.I.P. Clarence Gilyard Jr., Die Hard and Walker, Texas Ranger star](https://img.pastemagazine.com/wp-content/avuploads/2022/11/15003630/9aad02362085ef7a926fee01c9905c29.jpg)
Clarence Gilyard Jr., the action star known for his turns in Die Hard, Top Gun, and Walker, Texas Ranger, has died at 66. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ College of Fine Arts shared the news of his passing. With a 30-year acting career under his belt, the late Gilyard taught at the university as a film and theater professor.
“His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him. He had many extraordinary talents and was extremely well-known in the university through his dedication to teaching and his professional accomplishments,” says UNLV Dean Nancy J. Uscher, per Deadline. “His generosity of spirit was boundless—he was always ready to contribute to projects and performances however possible. We remember Clarence with joy and gratitude for all he contributed to the College of Fine Arts, the UNLV community, and, through his impressive personal achievements, to the world.”
“Professor Gilyard was a beacon of light and strength for everyone around him at UNLV,” university film chair Heather Addison reflected. “Whenever we asked him how he was, he would cheerfully declare that he was ‘Blessed!’ But we are truly the ones who were blessed to be his colleagues and students for so many years. We love you and will miss you dearly, Professor G!”
Born in 1955, Gilyard graduated from California State University with a BA in Theatre Arts. He would make his television debut in 1981 on an episode of Diff’rent Strokes. In 1986, he would jump to the big screen for the original Top Gun, where he played Marcus “Sundown” Williams.
Two years later, he would appear in Die Hard alongside Bruce Willis as the wisecracking computer hacker Theo. In 2020, Willis, Gilyard, and other Die Hard cast members reprised their role for an Advanced Auto Parts commercial.
In the world of television, Gilyard made his mark as private investigator Conrad McMasters in 85 episodes of the Andy Griffith legal drama Matlock. From 1993-2001, Gilyard appeared in Walker, Texas Ranger as Chuck Norris’ partner Ranger James Trivette in the television series and follow-up films.
Following his time on Walker, Texas Ranger, Gilyard pursued his MFA in Theatre Performance at Southern Methodist University, which allowed him to join the faculty at UNLV’s College of Fine Arts.
24 Comments
Oh no, Sundown!! I hate this news.
I guess Maverick was finally good and ready to fire.
‘Twas the month before ChristmasAnd all through the houseNot a creature was stirringExcept for us assholes who are going to miss you , Theo.
You didn’t bring me along for my charming personality.
Two points!
Had NO IDEA the computer guy from Die Hard was the Brotha on Matlock and Walker.
Sad ,Look I don’t want to believe it like the conspiracy people do, but there seems to be a lot of people 50-60 dying suddenly .
loved him as Conrad McMasters in Matlock
That’s where I remember him from the most. I enjoyed his work there. I always appreciate working actors who turn to academia to train the next generations. John Astin, IIRC, is still teaching even now!
That would be about the coolest professor ever.
I can’t be the only person who can’t hear “Matlock” without doing this:
You are not alone.
I don’t know about the rest of y’all, but I always thought Walker knew how to throw a heckuva AIDS party for a kid!
“And the RV is toast!” Everyone on Hans’ crew was dead serious, except Theo. R.I.P.
His walk-up patter breaking down a Lakers game to distract the security guard right before his partner shoots the guy is one of my favorite segments in that movie. BAM!
That’s the part that I’ve always remembered.
Well they certainly didn’t bring him along for his charming personality.;)
I was never a big Walker, Texas Ranger fan, which explains why I just now realized that the same guy played Sundown, Theo, AND Trivette. I think that may be the true testament to a character actor’s skills, playing numerous memorable characters and people not cluing in that it’s the same actor.RIP
Aw, I loved Matlock back in the day. RIP Conrad.
Theo is an underrated part of ‘Die Hard’. Hans aside, most of the Nakatomi heist crew are pretty generic, scowling bad guys, but Theo has personality, to the point where he even elevates Argyle’s character just by being the guy taken out by him.
Christ the man died and you still can’t get his name right, who the heck is Gilyard Gilyard?
I’ll always remember my dad’s chuckle after he says “Uh oh. The police have themselves an RV!”
On a different note, my mom was an extra in his first episode of Matlock. She met him and said he was super nice to her and everyone else.