Actor and tutorial Clarence Gilyard Jr, identified for roles in such TV sequence as Walker, Texas Ranger and Matlock, in addition to movies together with Die Arduous and Prime Gun, has died. The College of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Faculty of High quality Arts, the place Gilyard was a movie and theater professor, shared the information of his passing.  No reason for dying was given. He was 66.

Gilyard’s profession spanned greater than 30 years in movie, tv and theater. His first film position was as Sunset within the authentic Prime Gun (1986), and he later made an enduring impression in 1989’s Die Arduous as wise-cracking pc whiz baddie Theo.

On tv, Gilyard co-starred reverse Andy Griffith in authorized drama Matlock from 1989-1993, showing in 85 episodes as personal investigator Conrad McMasters. Then, from 1993-2001, he starred with Chuck Norris as Jimmy Trevette in CBS’ Walker, Texas Ranger.

Gilyard was born in 1955 in Moses Lake, Washington and later attended highschool in California. He earned a BA in Theatre Arts from California State College, transferring to Los Angeles to pursue an performing profession within the late 70s. 

After Walker, Texas Ranger, Gilyard took a sabbatical from performing and accomplished an MFA in Theatre Efficiency at Southern Methodist College, later becoming a member of the UNLV Faculty of High quality Arts. 

In 2020, Gilyard reprised the position of Die Arduous’s Theo in a super-sized business for Superior Auto Components celebrating its acquisition of the DieHard battery model. The advert featured Bruce Willis’ legendary hero John McClane in addition to cameos by De’voreaux White, who performed limo driver Argyle, and Gilyard. On the time, Gilyard informed Nevada Public Radio the expertise had been “surreal.”

Mentioned UNLV Dean Nancy J. Uscher of Gilyard, “His college students have been deeply impressed by him, as have been all who knew him. He had many extraordinary abilities and was extraordinarily well-known within the college by means of his dedication to instructing and his skilled accomplishments.

“His generosity of spirit was boundless – he was at all times able to contribute to tasks and performances nonetheless doable. We bear in mind Clarence with pleasure and gratitude for all he contributed to the Faculty of High quality Arts, the UNLV neighborhood, and, by means of his spectacular private achievements, to the world.”

Added, UNLV movie chair Heather Addison, “Professor Gilyard was a beacon of sunshine and power for everybody round him at UNLV. At any time when we requested him how he was, he would cheerfully declare that he was ‘Blessed!’ However we’re actually those who have been blessed to be his colleagues and college students for therefore a few years. We love you and can miss you dearly, Professor G!”