Clarence Gilyard Jr.
Clarence Alfred Gilyard Jr. (December 24, 1955 – November 28, 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.
Acted in
The Perfect Race
2019
as Coach Michaels
Christmas on the Coast
2018
as Fletcher Reese
The Sector
2016
as Reverend Raines
Rabbit Days
2016
as Auguste Porter
The Track
2016
as Psychiatrist
A Matter of Faith
2014
as Professor Portland
Little Monsters
2012
as Ben Foreman
Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire
2005
as Ranger James 'Jimmy' Trivette
Left Behind II: Tribulation Force
2002
as Pastor Bruce Barnes
Left Behind
2000
as Pastor Bruce Barnes
Sons of Thunder
1999
Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion
1994
as Ranger James 'Jimmy' Trivette
Walker, Texas Ranger: One Riot, One Ranger
1993
as Ranger James 'Jimmy' Trivette
Walker, Texas Ranger
1993
as James 'Jimmy' Trivette
The Great Los Angeles Earthquake
1990
as Roy Bryant
L.A. Takedown
1989
as Mustafa Jackson
Die Hard
1988
as Theo
Off the Mark
1987
as James B. White
The Karate Kid Part II
1986
as G.I. #1
Top Gun
1986
as Sundown
Matlock
1986
as Conrad McMasters
227
1985
as Harold Bailey
Things Are Looking Up
1984
as Clement McCallister
The Duck Factory
1984
as Roland Culp
The Kid with the 200 I.Q.
1983
Simon & Simon
1981
as Wally Stokes
The Facts of Life
1979
as Matt
Diff'rent Strokes
1978
as The Student
Diff'rent Strokes
1978
as Frank Simpson
CHiPs
1977
as Benjamin Webster