Clarence Gilyard Jr.
Acting

Clarence Gilyard Jr.

Born 24 December 1955 · Moses Lake, Washington, USA · Died 23 November 2022

Clarence Alfred Gilyard Jr. (December 24, 1955 – November 23, 2022) was an American university professor, actor, and author. As a performer, he appeared in film, television, and stage productions; some sources give his middle name as Alfred. Gilyard was known for his roles as second private investigator and right-hand man Conrad McMasters to Ben Matlock (played by Andy Griffith) on the legal drama series Matlock from 1989 to 1993; Pastor Bruce Barnes in the first two Left Behind movies; Cordell Walker's (played by Chuck Norris) Texas Ranger partner, James "Jimmy" Trivette, in the 1990s crime drama Walker, Texas Ranger; Theo, the terrorist computer expert in Die Hard; and Lieutenant (junior grade) Evan "Sundown" Gough in Top Gun.

Known for

Die Hard
Top Gun
The Karate Kid Part II
Walker, Texas Ranger
Diff'rent Strokes
CHiPs
Matlock
Left Behind
The Facts of Life
Simon & Simon
Left Behind II: Tribulation Force
Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire
The Perfect Race
Christmas on the Coast
Rabbit Days
The Track
2016
The Sector
A Matter of Faith
Chasing Shakespeare
Little Monsters
Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire
Left Behind II: Tribulation Force
Left Behind
Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion
Walker, Texas Ranger: One Riot, One Ranger
The Great Los Angeles Earthquake
L.A. Takedown
Die Hard
Off the Mark
Top Gun
The Karate Kid Part II
Things Are Looking Up
1984
The Kid with the 200 I.Q.
Clarence Gilyard Jr. · Midrow