Clarence Darnell Gilyard Jr

 Clarence Darnell Gilyard Jr. (December 24, 1955 – November 28, 2022)

Gilyard was known for his roles as second private investigator and right-hand man Conrad McMasters to Ben Matlock on the legal drama series Matlock from 1989 to 1993; Pastor Bruce Barnes in the Left Behind movie trilogy; Cordell Walker's 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. On January 17, 2016, Gilyard performed the role of Hoak Colburn onstage at the University of New Mexico's Popejoy Hall in the Neil Simon Festival's Driving Miss Daisy, opposite his former Walker, Texas Ranger co-star, Sheree J. Wilson. In addition, Gilyard was an associate professor in the College of Fine Arts – Department of Theatre at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He attended California State University, Long Beach, majoring in acting, and worked as a waiter while seeking acting opportunities. He completed his bachelor's degree at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Gilyard was married twice and had six children. His first marriage, to Catherine Dutko, ended in divorce, and he married his second wife, Elena, in 2001. On November 28, 2022, Gilyard died after a long illness, a month before his 67th birthday. He is interred at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills.