Clarence Gilyard Jr.
Acting
Born December 24, 1955, Moses Lake, Washington, USA
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.
Filmography
- 2019The Perfect Race — Coach Michaels
- 2018Christmas on the Coast — Fletcher Reese
- 2016Rabbit Days — Auguste Porter
- 2016The Sector — Reverend Raines
- 2016The Track — Psychiatrist
- 2014A Matter of Faith — Professor Portland
- 2014Chasing Shakespeare — Jeremiah Ward
- 2012Little Monsters — Ben Foreman
- 2005Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire — Ranger James 'Jimmy' Trivette
- 2002Left Behind II: Tribulation Force — Pastor Bruce Barnes
- 2000Left Behind — Pastor Bruce Barnes
- Sons of Thunder
- 1994Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion — Ranger James 'Jimmy' Trivette
- Walker, Texas Ranger — Jimmy Trivette
- 1993Walker, Texas Ranger: One Riot, One Ranger — Ranger James 'Jimmy' Trivette
- 1990The Great Los Angeles Earthquake — Roy Bryant
- 1989L.A. Takedown — Mustafa Jackson
- 1988Die Hard — Theo
- 1987Off the Mark — James B. White
- Matlock — Conrad McMasters
- 1986The Karate Kid Part II — G.I. #1
- 1986Top Gun — Sundown
- 227 — Harold Bailey
- The Duck Factory — Roland Culp
- 1984Things Are Looking Up — Clement McCallister
- 1983The Kid with the 200 I.Q.
- Simon & Simon — Wally Stokes
- The Facts of Life — Matt
- Diff'rent Strokes — The Student, Frank Simpson
- CHiPs — Benjamin Webster