Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. Parker. Sheree J. Wilson Alex Cahill. Selena Gomez vs. Hailey Bieber: Why Everyone Thinks They Need to Pick a Side. Launch Gallery, His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him, said Nancy J. Uscher, Dean of the College of Fine Arts at UNLV. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Gilyard had a cameo appearance in the 2005 television movie, Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire. Gilyard found his way to acting in the late Seventies after a somewhat stuttering start to his 20s. He was an excellent student, graduating in 1974, and afterward spent a year as an Air Force Academy cadet before leaving the service to attend Sterling College. All Rights Reserved. Pilot season (1993) This two-hour premiere episode introduces Cordell Walker (Chuck Norris), a contemporary Texas Ranger. Clarence Gilyard Jr., an actor best known for playing Jimmy Trivette on the iconic television show "Walker Texas Ranger," died at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada on . Professor Gilyard was a beacon of light and strength for everyone around him at UNLV, UNLV film chair Heather Addison said. When Walker, Texas Ranger ended in 2001 he took a break from acting to complete an MFA. Let us notify you when you can watch it. was a retired Ranger and a bar owner at "C.D.'s Bar & Grill". In 2020, Gilyardreturned as Die Hard baddie Theo in a commercial for Advanced Auto Parts celebrating its acquisition of the DieHard battery brand. Trivette singer Clarence Gilyard Jr has died aged 66. In a career that began in 1981, Gilyard had roles in some of the most iconic movies of the 1980s as well as two long stints on hit television shows with "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Matlock.". 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Thirteen checks versus one check and Gilyards previous martial arts and rodeo experience made him a natural for the role, he said. "His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him. Walker is seen with a nickel SIG-Sauer P226 pistol in the Pilot episode. He scored his first film roles in 1986, including a small pat as Lieutenant Junior Grade Marcus Sundown Williams in Top Gun. In February 2021, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on October . He is a decorated Vietnam vet and a martial arts expert. Clarence Gilyard Jr., an actor best known for starring in "Walker, Texas Ranger" and his supporting performance in "Die Hard," has . Theyd been looking for me. Clarence Gilyard Jr., an actor best known for starring in "Walker, Texas Ranger" and his supporting performance in "Die Hard," has died. It is with profound sadness that I share this news, Uscher said. He died of natural causes, according to the Riverside County coroner's office. His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him, Dean Nancy J. Uscher said on Instagram. He's a good friend of all the rangers, including Trent Malloy and Carlos Sandoval. What happened to trivette from Walker, Texas Ranger? . The University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Fine Arts, where he was a theatre professor, and UNLV Dean Nancy Uscher shared the passing of Gilyard on Instagram Monday night. . He had a national and international following through his celebrated work in the theatre, in film, and television. by James Conrad. Clarence portrayed Sundown in 1986's Top Gun, Theo in 1988s Die Hard, and Conrad McMasters in Matlock from 1989 to 1993. Noble Willingham C.D. . More, The Flash's Candice Patton Wraps Filming as Iris West-Allen Plus, When Will the Series Finale, The Good Doctor's Hill Harper Eyes U.S. Senate Run Is Dr. Andrews Scrubbing Out Ahead of Potential, Young Sheldon Just Torpedoed Mary and George's Marriage Will Big, Did The Flash Rob Us of Flashbacks? 2 min read. The University of . He attended California State University, Long Beach, majoring in acting, and worked as a waiter while seeking acting opportunities. He made his debut in the series premiere and went on to appear in almost all of Walker, Texas Rangers 200-plus episodes, as well as two Walker TV movies. Gilyard had a cameo appearance in the 2005 television movie, Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire. He married Elena Gilyard in 2001. "His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him," said Nancy J. Uscher, Dean of the College of Fine Arts at UNLV. Clarence Gilyard played crime fighter Jimmy Trivette in the TV series "Walker, Texas Ranger." (CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images) Clarence Gilyard, a film and television actor known for his roles in "Die Hard," "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Top Gun," has died. His death was announced by the College of Fine Arts at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, where the comedian was a professor of film and theater. Judson Mills Francis Gage. 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Gilyard also worked as a producer and director, helming an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger.. 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In 2006, Gilyard went into teaching and acting in the theater department at UNLV, where he became a beloved professor. We remember Clarence with joy and gratitude for all he contributed to the College of Fine Arts, the UNLV community, and, through his impressive personal achievements, to the world. Actor Clarence Gilyard, who had supporting roles in the '80s classics "Die Hard" and "Top Gun" and a starring role on "Walker, Texas Ranger," has died . In 19821983, Gilyard was cast in the final season of the NBC TV series CHiPs as Officer Benjamin Webster, opposite Erik Estrada. ", RIP Clarence Gilyard Jr. One of the greats. Jimmy gave him a nickname- Big Dog. Copyright 2023 Distractify. Distractify is a registered trademark. Clarence Gilyard, who is known for starring in 'Walker, Texas Ranger,' 'Matlock,' 'Die Hard,' and 'Top Gun,' is dead at 66, per a statement from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. "Andy could have chosen any one of a thousand guys to be his partner for four seasons and he chose me," Gilyard told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2017. Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., beloved for his portrayal of James Trivette in Walker, Texas Ranger, has passed away. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas confirmed Gilyard's death Monday in a . He appeared in the 1988 action film Die Hard as Theo, a criminal computer expert. And because I knew all my competition in town, it was pretty obvious that I was really the only person that could fit that character, the Moses Lake, Washington, native said. WireImage. Raised primarily as a Lutheran, he became Catholic in the 1990s.[1][2][3]. [1] His family was originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, but Gilyard grew up on Air Force bases in Hawaii, Texas, and Florida. Sheree J. Wilson Alex Cahill. Born Dec. 24, 1955 in Moses Lake, Wash., Gilyard grew up a military brat, moving across air bases throughout the U.S. during his adolescence before his family settled in California. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. He left Matlock in 1993 to star on CBS' Walker, Texas Ranger.Starring opposite Chuck Norris' Walker, Gilyard played Texas Ranger Sergeant James "Jimmy" Trivette, the protagonist's best . Clarence Gilyard Jr. was born on December 24, 1955 in Moses Lake, Washington, USA. While teaching took up most of Gilyards time, he eventually returned to professional acting, picking up small roles in various films during the 2010s. Gilyard portrayed fellow Texas Ranger and best friend of Walker, James "Jimmy" Trivette. Hollywood mourns the death of Annie Wersching, In the Kemerovo region, five people died in an accident with an SUV, Hautes-Pyrnes: a hiker is killed by falling into a ravine, According to media reports: King Charles III. (WGHP) An actor known for roles in movies like Die Hard and television hits like Walker, Texas Ranger has died. Rest in Peace. He found his passion for acting in a college theater course, and when he struck out professionally, the roles came quickly. . With only Chuck Norris acting in more episodes of the series, Gilyard played a huge role in the success of Walker, Texas Ranger. He was 66. . The 66-year-old may best be remembered for starring in nearly 200 . Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., known for roles in "Walker, Texas Ranger," "Matlock" and "Die Hard" has died. He had many extraordinary talents and was extremely well-known in the university through his dedication to teaching and his professional accomplishments.. He died on 28 November 2022 in the USA. PMC Entertainment. Additionally, Clarence secured a Masters of Fine Arts in theater performance at Southern Methodist University. C.D. The actor, who was also known for roles in Top Gun, Die Hard, and From Above, was just 66 years old.. His death was announced by his employer, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' College of Fine Arts where he taught as a film and theater professor on Nov. 28, 2022. Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., known for roles in "Walker, Texas Ranger," "Matlock" and "Die Hard" has died. Trivette also carried one during season 1, before switching to a Walther P-5 at the beginning of season 2. The University of Nev For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Prior to Walker, Texas Ranger, Clarence Gilyard Jr. co-starred in a sitcom in 1984 called "The Duck Factory." Catch Clarence in his signature role as James Trivette on Walker, Texas Ranger at 1p ET on GET! No details surrounding his death have been . For someone who had spent his entire youth playing Jimmy Trivette since Walker Texas Ranger had filmed 201 episodes from 1993 to 2001, you would wonder why he would not want to continue doing what . The actor, who was also known for roles in Top Gun, Die Hard, and From Above, was just 66 years old. Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., perhaps best known for his butt-kicking lawman opposite Chuck Norris on TVs Walker, Texas Ranger, has died at age 66. Gilyard worked with a housemate at a clothing store, where he was promoted to manager. James "Jimmy" Trivette Soon after, he joined the police force, starting first as a highway . Walker's new partner, Ranger James Trivette (Clarence Gilyard), has a history with one of the suspects in the robbery. Clarence Gilyard/James Trivette With only Chuck Norris acting in more episodes of the series, Gilyard played a huge role in the success of Walker, Texas Ranger. James, 21, died in a tragic car accident, taken from his family too soon. He was 66 years old. Clarence Gilyard was awarded LifeTime Achievement TV Fame Award for his roles in 'Walker Texas Ranger,' 'Metlock,' and the films 'Die Hard' and 'Left behind 1 and 2' by . Titel: Walker, Texas Ranger - Jahreszeit 5 Folge 13 : Walkers Weihnachtsgeschichte ; . He has been a regular contributor for TODAY.com since 2011, producing news stories and features across the trending, pop culture, sports, parents, pets, health, style, food and TMRW verticals. CLEVELAND (WJW) Actor Clarence Gilyard, Jr., known for his roles in Walker, Texas Ranger and Die Hard, has passed away. Gilyard later brought back his Theo character for a DieHard Battery commercial with star Bruce Willis that aired during the Super Bowl last year. In 1993, he began another long-time co-starring role opposite Chuck Norris on Walker, Texas Ranger. DID YOU KNOW? An accomplished film, television and theatre actor, Gilyard made a lasting impression in the 1980s after a series of guest star TV appearances. He left this to work briefly selling industrial chemicals. James Trivette was Walker's partner on the show and a former Dallas Cowboys player. Clarence Gilyard Jr, known for his roles in the series "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Matlock" and in the "Top Gun" and "Die Hard", died at the age of 66. Many remember Gilyard primarily for his role as Texas Ranger Sergeant James "Jimmy" Trivette alongside Chuck Norris in the famed action crime series . He loved his UNLV family and, in particular, the students he instructed in his classroom. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and children.