Clarence Gilyard Jr.

Clarence Gilyard Jr. Headshot

Actor • Writer • Educator

Birth Date: December 24, 1955

Death Date: November 28, 2022

Birth Place: Moses Lake, Washington

As the son of an enlisted man, Clarence Gilyard (sometimes billed as Clarence Gilyard Jr.) might have been expected to follow in his father's stead. Originally, he attended the US Air Force Academy, but transferred after one year to Sterling College where he played football and first began acting.

In 1980, the lanky actor relocated to L.A. and began to pursue an acting career in earnest, first in children's theater. Later, Gilyard became the first black actor to undertake the role of the cheerleader in "Bleacher Bums" before he segued into TV roles.

In 1982, he joined the cast of the NBC police drama "CHiPs" for its final season before supporting Jim Carrey in the short-lived NBC sitcom "The Duck Factory" (1984). By the mid-80s, Gilyard was concentrating on film roles, making an auspicious debut as the radar technician who has difficulties achieving the expectations of his cohort 'Maverick' (Tom Cruise) in Tony Scott's slick "Top Gun" (1986).

Gilyard went on to essay a military man in "The Karate Kid" (also 1986) and was cast as one of the terrorists in the blockbuster "Die Hard" (1988), but that one breakthrough feature role proved elusive. The actor instead returned to series TV in 1988 joining the cast of "Matlock" (NBC) and spending five years playing the legman for Andy Griffith's folksy attorney.

When that series switched networks, Gilyard moved to CBS to co-star alongside Chuck Norris as the former football player-turned-lawman partner of "Walker, Texas Ranger." Clarence Gilyard died on November 28, 2022 at the age of 66.

Credits

The Perfect Race

Actor
Coach Michaels
Movie
2019

Christmas on the CoastStream

Actor
Fletcher Reese
Movie
2017

The Sector

Actor
Reverend Raines
Movie
2016

Rabbit Days

Actor
Auguste Porter
Movie
2016

The Track

Actor
Psychiatrist
Movie
2015

A Matter of Faith

Actor
Professor Portland
Movie
2014

Chasing Shakespeare

Actor
Jeremiah Ward
Movie
2013

Little Monsters

Actor
Ben Foreman
Movie
2012

Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire

Actor
James Trivette
Movie
2005

Left Behind II: Tribulation Force

Actor
Pastor Bruce Barnes
Movie
2002

Left Behind

Actor
Bruce Barnes
Movie
2000

Sons of Thunder

Actor
Series
1999

Walker, Texas Ranger: Sons of Thunder

Actor
James Trivette
Movie
1997

Walker Texas Ranger III

Actor
Movie
1994

Walker, Texas RangerStream

Actor
James "Jimmy" Trivette
Series
1993

Walker, Texas RangerStream

Director
Series
1993

Walker Ranger de Texas II

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Movie
1993

El Vengador Walker Texas Ranger

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Movie
1993

El Regreso del Vengador Ranger 2

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Movie
1993

Furia Sin Ley

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Movie
1993

Asalto Mortal

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Movie
1993

Walker Texas Ranger V

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Movie
1993

Walker Texas Ranger

Actor
Movie
1993

Walker Texas Ranger VI

Actor
Movie
1993

Comisario de Texas VI: Vuelta al Pasado

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Movie
1993

Walker Texas Ranger II

Actor
Movie
1993

Furia de Ley

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Movie
1993

Walker, Texas Ranger: One Riot, One Ranger

Actor
James Trivette
Movie
1993

Matlock: The Final Affair

Actor
Conrad McMasters
Movie
1993

Matlock: The Witness Killings

Actor
Conrad McMasters
Movie
1992

Matlock: The Outcast

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Conrad McMasters
Movie
1992

Matlock: The Picture

Actor
Conrad McMasters
Movie
1992

Matlock: The Assassination

Actor
Conrad McMasters
Movie
1992

Matlock: The Trial

Actor
Conrad McMasters
Movie
1991

Matlock: Nowhere to Turn

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Conrad McMasters
Movie
1990

Matlock: The Hunting Party

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Conrad McMasters
Movie
1989

Matlock: The Informer

Actor
Conrad McMasters
Movie
1989

Matlock: The Prisoner

Actor
Conrad McMasters
Movie
1989

Off the Mark

Actor
James B. White
Movie
1987

MatlockStream

Actor
Conrad McMaster
Series
1986

MatlockStream

Guest Star
Conrad McMaster
Series
1986

The Karate Kid Part IIStream

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G.I. 1
Movie
1986
45%

227Stream

Guest Star
Series
1985

The Duck Factory

Actor
Series
1984

RiptideStream

Actor
Series
1984

Simon & Simon

Guest Star
Wally Stokes
Series
1981

The Facts of LifeStream

Guest Star
Matt
Series
1979

Diff'rent StrokesStream

Guest Star
Series
1978

CHiPsStream

Guest Star
Series
1977

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