Top Gun and Die Hard legend Clarence Gilyard Jr has died, the University of Nevada has confirmed.
The Hollywood star has passed away at the age of 66 following a battle with a 'long illness', according to reports.
He had a colourful career spanning 30 years and was best known for his role as computer hacker Theo in the Christmas hit Die Hard. He also played the naval flight officer Marcus "Sundown" Williams in Top Gun.
Clarence had been working as a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who confirmed his tragic passing, before his death. He worked at the school as a film professor since 2006.
The college told Las Vegas Review-Journal: "His generosity of spirit was boundless — he was always ready to contribute to projects and performances however possible."
UNLV College of Fine Arts Dean Nancy Uscher told the outlet: "His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him.
"He had many extraordinary talents and was extremely well-known in the university through his dedication to teaching and his professional accomplishments."
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!"
Clarence was also known for his role as Conrad McMasters in the hit drama Matlock between 1989 and 1993, as well as appearing in 1990s crime drama Texas Ranger.
Speaking of pausing his acting career for his professor role, he said back in 2010: "My manager-agent is not happy that I’m not working, but the university is just too much fun. And once you start a semester and meet those students, it’s like doing a TV series.
"You’re plugged into them. How can you leave them once you see in their eyes that they’re depending on you? They have aspirations for their own growth for those 15 weeks."
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