american actor Clarence Gilyard Jr.who worked in outstanding productions of the 80s and 90s, such as ‘Die Hard’ or the television series ‘Walker Texas Ranger’, died at the age of 66 after suffering a long illness.
The announcement of his death reached his fans through a message issued by the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, where Gilyard worked as a film and theater teacher at the Faculty of Fine Arts since 2006.
In a rich and varied career that spanned nearly five decades, Gilyard achieved success on film, television, and on stage. Among moviegoers he became known for playing Theo, Hans Gruber’s (Alan Rickman) computer hacker in the film ‘Die Hard’ (1988), by director John McTiernan, which marked the beginning of the career of Bruce Willis.
In the 1990s, Gilyard was a familiar face on television. He first played private detective Conrad McMasters in the crime drama ‘Matlock’ and then, in a career-defining role for him, he took on the role of ranger James Trivette in the nine-season series ‘Walker, Texas Ranger.’ .
The son of an air force officer, Gilyard played a variety of sports in his youth, from taekwondo to football. His passion for acting arose after attempting a military career following in the footsteps of his father, although after a year as a cadet he decided to enroll at the University of Kansas, where he graduated in theater, a passion that he later continued at Bethel College in Nevada..
In various interviews, the actor referred to his role as a teacher, highlighting the central importance of this activity in his life. The interpreter commented that he enjoyed the exchange with the students, as well as with the new generations of actors and actresses.