Clarence Gilyard Jr, known for his roles in the series "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Matlock" and in the films "Top Gun" and "Die Hard", has died at the age of 66. He married Elena Gilyard in 2001. Rebecca Iannucci / He was still appearing in films as recently as 2019. Clarence Gilyard Jr. died on . IE 11 is not supported. The 66-year-old may best be remembered for starring in nearly 200 . Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-2001) Episode List. wants Buckingham, Hautes-Pyrnes: a hiker is killed by falling into a ravine, A hiker is killed in the Hautes-Pyrnes by falling into a ravine. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. If you like TVLine, you'll LOVE our email news alerts! His death was announced by his employer, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Fine Arts where he taught as a film and theater professor on Nov. 28, 2022. He married Elena Gilyard in 2001. He has been a regular contributor for TODAY.com since 2011, producing news stories and features across the trending, pop culture, sports, parents, pets, health, style, food and TMRW verticals. We love you and will miss you dearly, Professor G!. He also had a small role as a fellow pilot to Tom Cruise's Maverick in "Top Gun" and a brief appearance in "The Karate Kid Part II.". The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where Gilyard had been a film professor since 2006, announced the actors death in a press release on Monday. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He eventually earned his BA in Theatre Arts from California State University, Dominguez Hills and completed an MFA in Theatre Performance at Southern Methodist University. especially James Trivette. "His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him. Raised primarily as a Lutheran, he became Catholic in the 1990s.[1][2][3]. Gilyard appeared on 85 episodes of Matlock before departing the series in 1993 for an even bigger role: Jimmy Trivette, the right-hand man to Chuck Norris tough sergeant on CBS Western crime series Walker, Texas Ranger. He appeared in all 196 episodes of the series eight seasons. Experts interpret the epidemic map of malignant tumors, Where is the application boundary of AI face changing technology? Republicans look to extend transgender restrictions to adults. He was an excellent student, graduating in 1974, and afterward spent a year as an Air Force Academy cadet before leaving the service to attend Sterling College. With Chuck Norris, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Noble Willingham, Sheree J. Wilson. With Chuck Norris, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Sheree J. Wilson, Judson Mills. Gilyard appeared on 85 episodes of Matlock before departing the series in 1993 for an even bigger role: Jimmy Trivette, the right hand man to Chuck Norris tough sergeant on CBS Western crime series Walker, Texas Ranger. He appeared in all 196 episodes of the series eight season. His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him. 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, Uscher said. In current day, the Rangers go after Lavocat. Clarence Gilyard. ': 'Face Some Fing, Danny Mastersons Second Rape Trial Gets Underway: Heres Why the Case Is Back in Court, Brett Goldstein on Being a Fing Sex Symbol, Wanting More Ted Lasso and Breaking His Rule of Not Smiling in Photos, The Best Celebrity-Designed Sunglasses to Wear This Summer, WGA Approves Strike Authorization With 97.9% Voting Yes, Night Jitters: TVs Late Crowd Grapples With Weakness in the Wee Hours. In the series finale, it is revealed that C.D. The end is near in a show told mostly in flashbacks, a wounded Walker ascends through a manufacturing plant, wounded and using his gun one bullet at a time on killers as he recounts the story of a visiting African businessman who collapses from an Ebola-like virus after infecting several people. who is a friend to talk about a major drug bust they made. 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.. Playing the role of a terrorist was so far outside the box for a young African-American, you know what I mean, to be offered this, he said. was a retired Ranger and a bar owner at "C.D.'s Bar & Grill". The Final Showdown: Part 2: Directed by Aaron Norris. 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. He appeared in the 1988 action film Die Hard as Theo, a criminal computer expert. Killer Lavocat breaks his gang members out of prison to help kill the Rangers he determines a threat to his life. Alex meets with the D.A. Professor Gilyard was a beacon of light and strength for everyone around him at UNLV, UNLV film chair Heather Addison said in a statement. Gilyard had been suffering from a long illness, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 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. Walker's new partner, Ranger James Trivette (Clarence Gilyard), has a history with one of the suspects in the robbery. had died of a heart attack while on a fishing trip. Having problems watching FOX 8 on antenna? Cordell Walker [ edit] Cordell Firewalker, as Texas Ranger Sgt. His death was announced by the College of Fine Arts at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, where the comedian was a professor of film and theater. ". He had many extraordinary talents and was extremely well-known in the university through his dedication to teaching and his professional accomplishments. Copyright 2023 Distractify. Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., known for roles in "Walker, Texas Ranger," "Matlock" and "Die Hard" has died. Gilyard was born into a military family in Moses Lake, Washington, on Christmas Eve, in 1955,[1] the son of Barbara and Clarence Alfred Gilyard Sr., a U.S. Air Force officer. He had many extraordinary talents and was extremely well-known in the university through his dedication to teaching and his professional accomplishments. Gilyard returned to academia later in life, joining the department of theatre at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas as an associate professor in 2006. The actor also went on to appear in tons of projects, accumulating many acting credits in the span of three decades. On the film side, Gilyard held roles in two staples of 1980s pop culture, appearing as Hans Grubers techie Theo in Die Hard and naval flight officer Marcus Sundown Williams in Top Gun. A post shared by UNLV College Of Fine Arts (@unlvfinearts). Launch Gallery, His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him, said Nancy J. Uscher, Dean of the College of Fine Arts at UNLV. Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., beloved for his portrayal of James Trivette in Walker, Texas Ranger, has passed away.. Family Life. and sense they have it on right now i have been recording the ones i like best. The actor, who was also known for roles in Top Gun, Die Hard, and From Above, was just 66 years old. Gilyard was known for his roles as second private investigator and right-hand man Conrad McMasters to Ben Matlock (played by Andy Griffith) on the legal drama series Matlock from 1989 to 1993; Pastor Bruce Barnes in the first two Left Behind movies; Cordell Walker's (played by Chuck Norris) Texas Ranger partner, James "Jimmy" Trivette, in the 1990s crime drama Walker, Texas Ranger; Theo, the terrorist computer expert in Die Hard; and Lieutenant Marcus "Sundown" WIlliams in Top Gun. Cody Johnson Announces New Double Album, Cody Johnson: Leather, Kane Brown Proves the Show Must Go on After Taking a Boot to the Crotch [Watch], Jana Kramers Boyfriend Hangs With Her Kids in Adorable New House Video [Watch], Another Round? He left this to work briefly selling industrial chemicals. Gilyard also became a theater professor and author in the latter half of his career. 2023 TVLine Media, LLC. Jimmy gave him a nickname- Big Dog. His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him, Dean Nancy J. Uscher said on Instagram. Following up on a call from an Ex-Cop, Trivette goes to visit the man before he is brutally ambushed.Season 5 Episode 25, 'Son Of Thunder Part 1': Walker hel. Clarence Gilyard Jr, known for his roles in the series "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Matlock" and in the "Top Gun" and "Die Hard", died at the age of 66. "It is with profound sadness that I share this news," UNLV College of Fine Arts Dean Nancy J. Uscher said in the statement. By Scott Stump. He was 66 years old. Read More Promotional portrait of American actor Clarence Gilyard Jr (as James 'Jimmy' Trivette), dressed in a pin-stripe suit, for the television series 'Walker, Texas Ranger,' . Distractify is a registered trademark. As fans have taken to social media to pay their respects to Clarences family and loved ones, many have questions about what happened. No further deta An accomplished film, television and theatre actor, Gilyard made a lasting impression in the 1980s after a series of guest star TV appearances. Gilyard also worked as a producer and director, helming an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger.. He would teach me comic timing.". He had many extraordinary talents and was extremely well known in the university due to his dedication to teaching and his professional achievements, the university president said. What is Clarence Gilyard Jr.'s cause of death? Clarence Gilyard Jr., an actor best known for starring in "Walker, Texas Ranger" and his supporting performance in "Die Hard," has died. By the end, he wouldn't trust anyone else. Trivette and Erika are engaged for marriage. Clarence Gilyard Jr., an actor best known for starring in "Walker, Texas Ranger" and his supporting performance in "Die Hard," has died. Who dies in the last episode of Walker, Texas Ranger? 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