Clarence Gilyard Jr.
Clarence Alfred Gilyard Jr. (December 24, 1955 – November 23, 2022) was an American university professor, actor, and author. As a performer, he appeared in film, television, and stage productions; some sources give his middle name as Alfred. 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 (junior grade) Evan "Sundown" Gough in Top Gun.
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- 1955-12-24 · Moses Lake, Washington, USA
- Died
- 2022-11-23
Known for
- Die Hard (1988) — Theo
- Top Gun (1986) — Sundown
- The Karate Kid Part II (1986) — G.I. #1
- Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) — Jimmy Trivette
- Diff'rent Strokes (1978) — The Student
- CHiPs (1977) — Benjamin Webster
- Matlock (1986) — Conrad McMasters
- Left Behind (2000) — Pastor Bruce Barnes
- The Facts of Life (1979) — Matt
- Simon & Simon (1981) — Wally Stokes
- Left Behind II: Tribulation Force (2002) — Pastor Bruce Barnes
- Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005) — Ranger James 'Jimmy' Trivette
- L.A. Takedown (1989) — Mustafa Jackson
- 227 (1985) — Harold Bailey
- A Matter of Faith (2014) — Professor Portland
- The Great Los Angeles Earthquake (1990) — Roy Bryant