Clarence Gilyard, a film and television actor known for his roles in "Die Hard," "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Top Gun," has died. Until we meet again., Disneyland After Dark To Host First Pride Nite Events, Sporticast: Commanders Sale Latest, Netflix StreamingIssues, Jonathan Majors' Management and PR Teams Part Ways with Actor, Fresh International Formats Welcome Truckers in Love, a Whole, Editor's Choice: I Purchased This TikTok-Viral Walking Pad and I, TVLine is a part of Penske Media Corporation. and still is. In 2021 he and Willis teamed for a Die Hard battery commercial that aired during Super Bowl LV. Trivette loves to tease CD about his chili.all the time. 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. 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. Clarence is no longer with us, but his spirit and acting talents will forever live on. Read Next: Fresh International Formats Welcome Truckers in Love, a Whole Lot of Pianists and Stormy Daniels as a Dating Show Host: I Love a Good Check, So Here I Am, Jonathan Majors Dropped by Manager Entertainment 360 Following Domestic Violence Charges, Netflix Proceeds With Love Is Blind Reunion Taping After Technical Issues Crater Live Broadcast Plans, Jeremy Renner Makes Triumphant Return After Snow Plow Accident at Rennervations Premiere: I Set Out a Goal to Be Walking This Carpet. A look at Clarence's IMDb page shows that the 66-year-old appeared in many cult-favorite shows over the years. Gilyard told GetTV he was about to sign with CBS for a pilot of his own but established action star Norris had made a deal with the network for 13 episodes of Walker. Thirteen checks versus one check and Gilyards previous martial arts and rodeo experience made him a natural for the role, he said. "He had a national and international following through his celebrated work in the theatre, in film, and television," Uscher said in her statement. [10], Gilyard was married twice and had six children. Gilyards death was confirmed through a statement by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. He was an actor and director, known for Die Hard (1988), Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) and Top Gun (1986). James grew up in Baltimore and got a football scholarship as a wide receiver, but seriously injured his shoulder which ended his career. ': '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. Following his death, the school's film chair said "Professor Gilyard was a beacon of light and strength for everyone around at UNLV". Die Hard and Walker Texas Ranger actor Clarence Gilyard has died. Clarence portrayed Sundown in 1986's Top Gun, Theo in 1988s Die Hard, and Conrad McMasters in Matlock from 1989 to 1993. Clarence Gilyard Jr. died on . Alex gives birth to a girl. He would teach me comic timing.". A post shared by UNLV College Of Fine Arts (@unlvfinearts). [14][15], "Texas Marriages, 1966-2010," database, FamilySearch (, California State University, Dominguez Hills, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, "The Eucharistic Faith of Actor Clarence Gilyard", "Actor Gilyard finds Catholicism is role for a lifetime", "Clarence Gilyard Biography Yahoo! An accomplished film, television and theatre actor, Gilyard made a lasting impression in the 1980s after a series of guest star TV appearances, making his film debut as Sundown in Top Gun and playing the terrorist computer whiz Theo in Die Hard with a gleeful menace. Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., perhaps best known for his butt-kicking lawman opposite Chuck Norris on TV's " Walker, Texas Ranger ," has died at age 66. "Andy was funny and a raconteur and a craftsman. During the very first episode of Walker, Texas Ranger, actor Chuck Norris' character is more than a little skeptical of his new partner, James "Jimmy" Trivette. During his young adulthood, Gilyard lived in the San Bernardino suburb of Rialto, California, and attended Eisenhower High School. 2 min read. Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., who co-starred as James Trivette on CBS' Walker, Texas Ranger, has died at the age of 66.. With Amazon Basics products, you can give your kitchen a makeover on a budget. By He . Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Clarence Gilyard Jr. Clarence Gilyard Jr., an actor best known for starring in "Walker, Texas Ranger" and his supporting performance in "Die Hard," has died. Raised primarily as a Lutheran, he became Catholic in the 1990s.[1][2][3]. Nov. 29, 2022, 5:47 AM PST. He is injured and falls into a coma in the hospital. He replaced Kene Holliday, who was fired for his dependency on drugs and alcohol. . As fans have taken to social media to pay their respects to Clarences family and loved ones, many have questions about what happened. After the finale in 2001, Gilyard continued to act in various films and TV shows. Trivette and others search for the driver of the hit-and-run car. He had many extraordinary talents and was extremely well-known in the university through his dedication to teaching and his professional accomplishments. 2023 Variety Media, LLC. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Fine Arts, where he was a theatre professor, and UNLV Dean Nancy Uscher shared the passing of Gilyard on Instagram Monday night. Every 'Love Is Blind' Couple Who Got Engaged in the Pods: Where Are They Now? His death was announced on Nov. 28 by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he taught in the College of Fine Arts. He completed his bachelor's degree at California State University, Dominguez Hills.[5][6]. He married Elena Gilyard in 2001. In Die Hard, Gilyard didn't star opposite Bruce Willis as much as he stood against his John McClane. With Chuck Norris, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Sheree J. Wilson, Judson Mills. (WGHP) An actor known for roles in movies like "Die Hard" and television hits like "Walker, Texas Ranger" has died. especially James Trivette. He was 66 years old. Legendary Actor and Comedian Leslie Jordan Has Died at the Age of 67, 'Friends' and 'Seinfeld' Star Richard Roat Passed Away at 89 Years Old, 'Fame' and 'Flashdance' Actress and Singer Irene Cara Has Passed Away at 63. After spending a year at the Air Force Academy as a cadet, Gilyard attended Sterling College and, later, California State University, Long Beach and California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he earned a bachelors degree in acting. "It is with profound sadness that I share this news," UNLV College of Fine Arts Dean Nancy J. Uscher said in the statement. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Fine Arts shared the news of Clarences passing in a press release. In 1989, he scored a regular gig on primetime television with Matlock, playing Conrad McMasters, a P.I. According to the Instagram post, Gilyard had a career in television, film and theatre as an actor, director and producer that spanned more than 30 years. or worse. Gilyard's "Jimmy" was a former football player from the "wrong side of the tracks" in Baltimore. He left this to work briefly selling industrial chemicals. "Theo" was part of bad guy Gruber's team of terrorists. He also appeared as Reverend Bruce Barnes in Left Behind: The Movie and its sequel, Left Behind II: Tribulation Force. Gilyard was previously married to Catherine Dutko. Gilyard had been working as a film and theatre professor at UNLV College of Fine Arts. and everyone to their thoughts to what is good on a shows now days his's wasn't blood and gore. Gilyard made his major film debut in Top Gun (1986), which led to a meetup with producer Joel Silver to play the bad guy computer whiz Theo in Die Hard (1989), the performer recalled to an NPR affiliate. We love you and will miss you dearly, Professor G!. Experts: Leave a "technical watermark", Panicked? He was 66. The Rookie Renewed for Season 6 at ABC What About Feds, The Mandalorian Actor Warns That Season 3 Finale May 'Hurt Too Much', Writers Guild Strike Authorization Vote Breaks Records, as 98% Say, Grey's Boss Reflects on Highs and Lows as Showrunner Ahead of Her Exit. Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., who co-starred as James Trivette on CBS Walker, Texas Ranger, has died at the age of 66. [9][5] He continued to teach for many years. "His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him. He acted in the classic '80s action films, Die Hard and Top Gun. He was still appearing in films as recently as 2019. Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., known for roles in "Walker, Texas Ranger," "Matlock" and "Die Hard" has died. 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. A Hayes Cooper story parallels the modern day story. Scott Stump is a staff reporter and the writer of the daily newsletter This is TODAY. Soon after, he joined the police force, starting first as a highway . No further details about his death are available at this time. 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. [1] In 2003, Gilyard returned to school, receiving a Master of Fine Arts in theatre performance at Southern Methodist University. 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? Billy Dukes Published: November 29, 2022. Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., who co-starred as James Trivette on CBS' Walker, Texas Ranger, has died at the age of 66.. In a career that began in 1981, Gilyard had roles in some of the most iconic movies of the 1980s as well as two long stints on hit television shows with "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Matlock.". TV Stars We Lost in 2022 Die Hard and Walker Texas Ranger actor Clarence Gilyard has died. 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. IE 11 is not supported. He had many extraordinary talents and was extremely well-known in the university through his dedication to teaching and his professional accomplishments.. "Andy could have chosen any one of a thousand guys to be his partner for four seasons and he chose me," Gilyard told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2017. After a woman's car is forced off the road by a hit-and-run, Walker makes a daring rescue of her and her daughter. He had his first recurring role opposite Erik Estrada during the final season of Chips. 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. So, what was Clarence Gilyard Jr.s cause of death? You need to fit a character in a television series.. With Chuck Norris, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Noble Willingham, Sheree J. Wilson. 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 and Trivette are looking for information when someone challenges Walker to a fight.Season 2 Episode 10, 'Night of the Gladiator': Walker and Trivett. ". Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., beloved for his portrayal of James Trivette in Walker, Texas Ranger, has passed away.. 1989 to 1993 been working as a Lutheran, he would cheerfully declare that he was Blessed lived. 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