Remembering The Legacy: Clarence Gilyard Jr., An Iconic Actor And Trailblazer

Who was Clarence Gilyard?

Clarence Gilyard was an American actor, author, college professor, and United States Air Force veteran. He was best known for his roles as Conrad McMasters on the television series Matlock and Theo Carver on Walker, Texas Ranger.

Gilyard was born in Moses Lake, Washington, on December 24, 1955. He attended Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas, where he played football and earned a degree in theater. After graduating from college, Gilyard joined the United States Air Force and served for four years.

After his military service, Gilyard began his acting career in the early 1980s. He appeared in a number of small roles in films and television shows before landing his breakthrough role as Conrad McMasters on Matlock in 1986. Gilyard played the role of McMasters for nine seasons, until the show ended in 1995.

In 1993, Gilyard began playing the role of Theo Carver on Walker, Texas Ranger. He played the role of Carver for eight seasons, until the show ended in 2001.

In addition to his acting career, Gilyard was also a college professor. He taught theater at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, from 2006 to 2012.

Gilyard died on November 28, 2022, at the age of 66.

Personal details and bio data:

Main article topics:

• Early life and education
• Military service
• Acting career
• Teaching career
• Death and legacy

Clarence Gilyard

Clarence Gilyard was an American actor, author, college professor, and United States Air Force veteran. He was best known for his roles as Conrad McMasters on the television series Matlock and Theo Carver on Walker, Texas Ranger.

• Actor
• Author
• College professor
• United States Air Force veteran
• Matlock
• Walker, Texas Ranger

Gilyard's acting career spanned over three decades. He appeared in over 100 films and television shows. In addition to his acting career, Gilyard was also a college professor. He taught theater at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, from 2006 to 2012. Gilyard was also a United States Air Force veteran. He served for four years before beginning his acting career.

1. Actor

Clarence Gilyard was an actor for over three decades. He appeared in over 100 films and television shows. Gilyard is best known for his roles as Conrad McMasters on the television series Matlock and Theo Carver on Walker, Texas Ranger.

Gilyard's acting career began in the early 1980s. He appeared in a number of small roles in films and television shows before landing his breakthrough role as Conrad McMasters on Matlock in 1986. Gilyard played the role of McMasters for nine seasons, until the show ended in 1995.

In 1993, Gilyard began playing the role of Theo Carver on Walker, Texas Ranger. He played the role of Carver for eight seasons, until the show ended in 2001.

Gilyard's acting career was successful because he was a talented actor who was able to connect with audiences. He was also a versatile actor who was able to play a wide range of roles.

Gilyard's acting career is an inspiration to many. He showed that it is possible to achieve success in the entertainment industry through hard work and dedication.

2. Author

Clarence Gilyard was an author in addition to being an actor, college professor, and United States Air Force veteran. He wrote several books, including a memoir and a novel.

• Memoir
  

  Gilyard's memoir, Clarence Gilyard: The Actor and the Man, was published in 2007. In the book, Gilyard reflects on his life and career, from his childhood to his success as an actor.

• Novel
  

  Gilyard's novel, The Dance, was published in 2012. The novel is a thriller about a group of people who are involved in a deadly dance competition.

• Academic writing
  

  Gilyard also wrote several academic articles and essays on topics such as acting, directing, and playwriting.

• Poetry
  

  Gilyard wrote several poems, which were published in literary magazines and anthologies.

Gilyard's writing is characterized by its honesty, humor, and insight. He was a gifted storyteller who was able to connect with readers on a personal level.

Gilyard's writing is a valuable contribution to the world of literature. He was a talented author who had something important to say.

3. College professor

Clarence Gilyard was a college professor in addition to being an actor, author, and United States Air Force veteran. He taught theater at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, from 2006 to 2012.

• Teaching
  

  Gilyard was a dedicated and passionate teacher. He loved sharing his knowledge of theater with his students. He was also a mentor to many of his students, helping them to develop their skills as actors and artists.

• Research
  

  Gilyard was also a respected researcher in the field of theater. He published several articles and essays on topics such as acting, directing, and playwriting. His research helped to advance the understanding of theater as an art form.

• Service
  

  Gilyard was committed to serving his community. He served on the board of directors of several arts organizations. He also volunteered his time to teach acting workshops for underprivileged youth.

• Legacy
  

  Gilyard's legacy as a college professor will continue to inspire and influence future generations of theater artists. He was a gifted teacher, researcher, and mentor who made a significant contribution to the field of theater.

Gilyard's experience as a college professor helped him to become a more well-rounded actor and artist. He was able to use his teaching and research skills to inform his performances. He was also able to use his platform as a professor to inspire and mentor young people.

4. United States Air Force veteran

Clarence Gilyard's service as a United States Air Force veteran had a profound impact on his life and career. He served for four years before beginning his acting career, and his military experience helped to shape him into the man and actor he became.

Gilyard's military service taught him the importance of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. These qualities served him well in his acting career, as they helped him to stay focused and motivated, even when faced with challenges.

Gilyard's military experience also gave him a unique perspective on the world. He saw firsthand the horrors of war and the importance of peace. This experience made him a more compassionate and understanding person, and it influenced his work as an actor.

Gilyard was proud of his military service, and he often spoke about the positive impact it had on his life. He was a true patriot, and he was committed to serving his country.

Gilyard's experience as a United States Air Force veteran is an important part of his story. It helped to shape him into the man and actor he became, and it is a testament to his character and commitment.

5. Matlock

Clarence Gilyard was best known for his role as Conrad McMasters on the television series Matlock. He played the role for nine seasons, from 1986 to 1995. Matlock was a legal drama series starring Andy Griffith as Ben Matlock, a criminal defense attorney. Gilyard played Conrad McMasters, a private investigator who worked for Matlock.

The character of Conrad McMasters was a complex and well-developed one. He was a former police officer who had been wrongly accused of a crime. As a result, he had a deep distrust of the legal system. However, he was also a loyal friend and a skilled investigator. Gilyard brought a great deal of depth and nuance to the role, and he quickly became a fan favorite.

Matlock was a very successful television series. It ran for nine seasons and was one of the most popular shows on television during its run. The show's success was due in part to the strong chemistry between Griffith and Gilyard. The two actors had a great rapport on-screen, and they were able to create a believable and engaging relationship between their characters.

Gilyard's role on Matlock was a major turning point in his career. It made him a household name and helped to establish him as one of the most popular actors on television. He went on to star in several other successful television series, including Walker, Texas Ranger.

6. Walker, Texas Ranger

Clarence Gilyard is best known for his role as James Trivette on the television series Walker, Texas Ranger. He played the role for eight seasons, from 1993 to 2001. Walker, Texas Ranger was a crime drama series starring Chuck Norris as Cordell Walker, a Texas Ranger. Gilyard played James Trivette, Walker's partner.

• Partner and friend
  

  Trivette was Walker's partner and best friend. He was a former Marine who had served in Vietnam. He was a skilled martial artist and a loyal friend. Gilyard brought a great deal of humor and charm to the role, and he quickly became a fan favorite.

• Comic relief
  

  Trivette was often the comic relief on the show. He was always making jokes and getting into trouble. However, he was also a serious and dedicated police officer. Gilyard was able to balance the humor and seriousness of the role perfectly.

• Action hero
  

  Trivette was also an action hero. He was always ready to fight the bad guys and protect the innocent. Gilyard was very convincing in the action scenes, and he made Trivette a believable and exciting character.

• Heart of the show
  

  Trivette was the heart of the show. He was the one who kept Walker grounded and made him laugh. He was also the one who was always there for Walker when he needed him. Gilyard's performance as Trivette was a major factor in the success of Walker, Texas Ranger.

Gilyard's role on Walker, Texas Ranger was another major turning point in his career. It made him an even bigger star and helped to solidify his status as one of the most popular actors on television. He went on to star in several other successful television series, including The District and Burn Notice.

Frequently Asked Questions about Clarence Gilyard

This section provides answers to commonly asked questions about Clarence Gilyard, his career, and his legacy.

Question 1: What was Clarence Gilyard's most famous role?

Clarence Gilyard is best known for his roles as Conrad McMasters on the television series Matlock and James Trivette on Walker, Texas Ranger.

Question 2: What was Clarence Gilyard's military background?

Clarence Gilyard served in the United States Air Force for four years before beginning his acting career.

Question 3: What was Clarence Gilyard's education?

Clarence Gilyard earned a degree in theater from Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas.

Question 4: What was Clarence Gilyard's teaching experience?

Clarence Gilyard taught theater at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, from 2006 to 2012.

Question 5: What was Clarence Gilyard's writing experience?

Clarence Gilyard wrote several books, including a memoir and a novel. He also wrote several academic articles and essays on topics such as acting, directing, and playwriting.

Summary: Clarence Gilyard was a talented actor, author, college professor, and United States Air Force veteran. He made significant contributions to the entertainment industry and to the field of education. His legacy will continue to inspire and influence future generations.

Transition to the next article section: Clarence Gilyard's life and career are a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and service. He was a true pioneer who broke down barriers and paved the way for others to follow.

Conclusion

Clarence Gilyard was a multi-talented artist who made significant contributions to the entertainment industry and to the field of education. He was a gifted actor, author, college professor, and United States Air Force veteran. His legacy will continue to inspire and influence future generations.

Gilyard's life and career are a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and service. He was a true pioneer who broke down barriers and paved the way for others to follow. He will be remembered as a talented artist and a compassionate human being.