Top Gun and Die Hard star Clarence Gilyard Jr. has died.
The actor’s death was confirmed by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where Gilyard was a film and theatre professor in the university’s College of Fine Arts. He was 66 years old. Details regarding the cause of death were not given.
“Professor Gilyard was a beacon of light and strength for everyone around him,” UNLV film chairwoman Heather Addison said in a statement. “Whenever we asked him how he was, he would cheerfully declare that he was ‘Blessed!’ But we are truly the ones who were blessed to be his colleagues and students for so many years. We love you and will miss you dearly, Professor G!”
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Gilyard made his film debut as the naval flight officer Marcus “Sundown” Williams in the original 1986 Top Gun film.
His 30-year career was perhaps best highlighted by his role as the computer hacker Theo in Die Hard.
Gilyard appeared on 85 episodes of Matlock as Conrad McMasters, the private investigator for Andy Griffith’s lead criminal defense attorney. The actor left the television series in 1993 to star opposite Chuck Norris in Walker, Texas Ranger, until the show concluded in 2001.
The actor influenced a future generation as a college professor. Gilyard joined the faculty of UNLV in 2006.
Sad to hear of the passing of actor Clarence Gilyard Jr., best known for Die Hard, Top Gun, & Walker: Texas Ranger. Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/OslBRVWncd
— bobbynash (@bobbynash) November 29, 2022
“His students were deeply inspired by him, as were all who knew him. He had many extraordinary talents and was extremely well-known in the university through his dedication to teaching and his professional accomplishments,” UNLV Fine Arts Dean Nancy Uscher said. “His generosity of spirit was boundless.”
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In addition to academic pursuits that included completing an MFA in Theatre Performance at Southern Methodist University, Gilyard spent time working as a producer and director.
Gilyard was born in Moses Lake, Washington, in 1955. He was married to Elena Gilyard.
