FROM WIKIPEDIA COMMONS
Clarence Darnell Gilyard Jr. (December 24, 1955 – November 2022) was an American university professor, actor, and author. As a performer, he appeared in film, television, and stage productions, sometimes credited as Clarence A. Gilyard.
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 Left Behind movie trilogy; 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) Marcus “Sundown” Williams in Top Gun.
Gilyard was married twice and had six children. His first marriage, to Catherine Dutko, ended in divorce, and he married his second wife, Elena Castillo, in 2001. He served as the consultant of the communications committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
After a long illness, Gilyard died in November 2022, at the age of 66.
