An actor who appeared in a string of big budget movies has died at the age of 66. Clarence Gilyard Jr was best known for starring in Walker, Texas Ranger and for his supporting role in Die Hard.
According to Variety his death was confirmed through a statement by the University of Nevada in Las Vegas where he was on the teaching team. It said: "Professor Gilyard was a beacon of light and strength for everyone around him.”
UNLV film chair Heather Addison said. “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!”
The actor was know for his work in film, theatre and television. His film debut was in Top Gun where he appeasred at Sundown. He went on the play the terrorist computer expert Theo in Die Hard.
In TV he made 85 appearances in the mystery drama Matlock. He then moved on to play Jimmy Trivette, the right hand man to Chuck Norris’ tough sergeant on CBS’ Western crime series Walker, Texas Ranger.
He became an Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2006. However he continued working alsongside his academic roles.
