The tragic death of actor Clarence Gilyard (Die Hard, Walker Texas Ranger) at 66

Clarence Gilyard Jr., the partner of Chuck Norris in 'Walker, Texas Ranger,' passed away at the age of 66. The movie and TV star worked as an acting professor in his last years, building on his vast experiences in Hollywood.

The news of his death was announced by the University of Nevada's College of Fine Arts in Las Vegas through a press release. As it turned out, the actor had suffered from a long illness that eventually cost him his life on November 28, 2022

Gilyard became a widely known actor in the 1980s and 1990s for films like 'Top Gun' and 'Die Hard,' as well as TV series such as 'Matlock' (photo via NBC) and 'Walker, Texas Ranger.'

Gilyard spent his later years teaching the trade to a new generation while also filming the occasional project.

Image: WKTV Journal still by Ren1Man / Wikimedia

Born on Christmas eve in 1955, Gilyard grew up on military bases as the son of an Air Force officer. He majored in theater at California State University while looking for acting jobs in the late 70s.

Before his big break in Hollywood, Gilyard played a supportive role in 20 episodes of the series 'CHIPs.' We could see him in the NBC drama about two highway patrol officers from 1982 to 1983.

Image: 'Die Hard,' 1988

Gilyard also worked in the 'Duck Factory' with a young Jim Carrey. The comedy series, broadcast on NBC (photo) in 1984, told the adventures of the employees of an animation company.

A big break came in 1986 with 'Top Gun,' where Gilyard played Tom Cruise's colleague, officer Marcus 'Sundown' Williams.

The actor is also known for 'Die Hard,' the first installment of the movie series, where he played the terrorists' tech expert. It was a serious role, but one with the characteristic 'Die Hard' Christmas jokes in it.

Gilyard never really sat still. A year after 'Die Hard,' he started his regular appearance in the detective series 'Matlock' as private detective Conrad McMasters. The actor lent a helping hand to defense attorney Ben Matlock for 85 episodes.

Image: NBC

Matlock's Conrad McMasters was a character known for his rodeo skills. And that came in handy for his next role! In 1993, Clarence Gilyard made the move to yet another very popular series: 'Walker, Texas Ranger.'

Image: CBS

As Trivette, he partnered with Cordell Walker (Chuck Norris) for no less than 196 episodes. Without playing down his other great projects, many will remember Clarence Gilyard most of all for his leading role in this Texan police drama.

Image: CBS

After an intense period of 12 years on TV, Clarence Gilyard took his career to quieter waters. He appeared in the occasional movie but none was as famous as 'Top Gun' or 'Die Hard.'

In fact, Gilyard went back to school to finish his incomplete Bachelor's Program in 2003. He then went on to pursue a career as a university professor, teaching Stage and Theater Acting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

One of his last appearances in film was in 'The Perfect Race' in 2019, where he played a school tracking coach.

Image: 'The Perfect Race' via producers @5and2pictures / Twitter

On November 28, 2022, before reaching retirement, the 66-year-old actor and professor passed away. As his university colleagues told the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Gilyard had always told them that he felt "blessed" with the life he'd had.

Image: @5and2pictures / Twitter