The actor starred as James ‘Jimmy’ Trivette in Walker, Texas Ranger (Picture: CBS Photo Archvie/Getty Images)
Clarence Gilyard Jr, best-known for his roles in productions including Walker, Texas Ranger and Die Hard, has died at the age of 66.
The news of the actor’s death was confirmed by University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he worked as a film and theatre professor at UNLV College of Fine Arts.
In a statement seen by Variety, UNLV film chair Heather Addison said: ‘Professor Gilyard was a beacon of light and strength for everyone around him.
‘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!’
From 1993 to 2001, Gilyard starred opposite Chuck Norris in Walker, Texas Ranger as his partner James ‘Jimmy’ Trivette, a role that he reprised in spin-offs Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion, Sons of Thunder and Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire.
In 1988, he starred in the classic Bruce Willis movie Die Hard, portraying computer hacker Theo, who worked for Alan Rickman’s villain Hans Gruber.
Gilyard alongside his Walker, Texas Ranger co-stars Judson Mills and Chuck Norris (Picture: CBS via Getty Images)
Having moved to Los Angeles in the late 1970s to pursue a career as an actor, Gilyard made his movie debut in Top Gun in 1986, taking on the part of Marcus ‘Sundown’ Williams.
He also starred as Conrad McMasters in the legal drama Matlock from 1989 to 1993.
The actor went on to become a film and theatre professor (Picture: CBS via Getty Images)
More to follow.
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The actor starred in the TV series Matlock and Top Gun.
