The Legendary Clarence Gilyard: A Hollywood Icon

Who was Clarence Gilyard?

Clarence Gilyard was an American actor and university professor. He was best known for his role as Detective James Trivette on the television series Walker, Texas Ranger.

Gilyard was born in Moses Lake, Washington, on December 24, 1955. He attended California State University, Long Beach, where he earned a degree in theater arts. After college, he worked as a stage actor and appeared in several television commercials. In 1981, he made his film debut in the movie The Big Brawl.

Gilyard's breakthrough role came in 1989 when he was cast as Detective James Trivette on Walker, Texas Ranger. The show was a huge success, and Gilyard became a household name. He appeared in all eight seasons of the show, which ran from 1989 to 1999.

After Walker, Texas Ranger ended, Gilyard continued to act in both film and television. He also taught acting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In 2006, he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. He died on November 28, 2022, at the age of 66.

Clarence Gilyard was a talented actor and a beloved member of the Walker, Texas Ranger family. He will be deeply missed by his fans and friends.

Clarence Gilyard

Clarence Gilyard was an American actor and university professor. He was best known for his role as Detective James Trivette on the television series Walker, Texas Ranger.

• Actor
• Professor
• Detective
• James Trivette
• Walker, Texas Ranger

These key aspects highlight Clarence Gilyard's career as an actor and professor, as well as his most famous role as Detective James Trivette on the television series Walker, Texas Ranger. Gilyard was a talented actor who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career. He was also a dedicated professor who taught acting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

1. Actor

Clarence Gilyard was an American actor best known for his role as Detective James Trivette on the television series Walker, Texas Ranger. He appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career.

• Early Career
  

  Gilyard began his acting career in the early 1980s, appearing in small roles in films and television shows. He made his film debut in the 1981 movie The Big Brawl. He also appeared in the television series The A-Team and Magnum, P.I.

• Breakthrough Role
  

  Gilyard's breakthrough role came in 1989 when he was cast as Detective James Trivette on Walker, Texas Ranger. The show was a huge success, and Gilyard became a household name. He appeared in all eight seasons of the show, which ran from 1989 to 1999.

• Later Career
  

  After Walker, Texas Ranger ended, Gilyard continued to act in both film and television. He also taught acting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He appeared in the films Left Behind (2014) and The Track (2017). He also had a recurring role on the television series NCIS.

• Legacy
  

  Clarence Gilyard was a talented actor who appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career. He is best known for his role as Detective James Trivette on Walker, Texas Ranger. Gilyard was also a dedicated professor who taught acting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Gilyard's work as an actor has left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. He was a talented performer who brought his characters to life with a sense of realism and depth. He will be remembered for his many memorable roles, including Detective James Trivette on Walker, Texas Ranger.

2. Professor

Clarence Gilyard was an American actor and university professor. He was best known for his role as Detective James Trivette on the television series Walker, Texas Ranger. However, Gilyard was also a dedicated professor who taught acting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Gilyard began his teaching career in the early 2000s. He taught acting classes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and was a popular professor among students. He was known for his passion for teaching and his ability to connect with students. Gilyard was also a mentor to many aspiring actors, and he helped them to develop their craft.

Gilyard's work as a professor was just as important as his work as an actor. He was dedicated to helping students to learn and grow, and he was a positive role model for many young people. Gilyard's legacy will continue to live on through his students and the many people he inspired.

3. Detective

Clarence Gilyard was an American actor and university professor. He was best known for his role as Detective James Trivette on the television series Walker, Texas Ranger. Gilyard's portrayal of Trivette was a defining moment in his career and helped to shape the way that audiences view detectives on television.

Trivette was a complex and well-developed character. He was a skilled detective who was always willing to go the extra mile to solve a case. He was also a loyal friend and a devoted family man. Gilyard's portrayal of Trivette helped to humanize the role of the detective and made him more relatable to audiences.

Gilyard's work as Detective Trivette had a profound impact on the television landscape. He helped to create a new archetype of the detective character, one that was both competent and compassionate. Gilyard's legacy as Detective Trivette will continue to inspire actors and audiences for years to come.

4. James Trivette

James Trivette is a fictional character in the television series Walker, Texas Ranger. He is portrayed by actor Clarence Gilyard. Trivette is a detective sergeant with the Texas Rangers and is a close friend and partner of Cordell Walker, the show's protagonist.

Trivette is a complex and well-developed character. He is a skilled detective who is always willing to go the extra mile to solve a case. He is also a loyal friend and a devoted family man. Gilyard's portrayal of Trivette helped to humanize the role of the detective and made him more relatable to audiences.

The connection between James Trivette and Clarence Gilyard is significant because Gilyard's portrayal of the character helped to define the role of the detective on television. Trivette is a complex and well-developed character who is both competent and compassionate. Gilyard's work as Detective Trivette has had a profound impact on the television landscape and has helped to shape the way that audiences view detectives.

5. Walker, Texas Ranger

Walker, Texas Ranger is an American action crime drama television series created by Leslie Greif and Paul Haggis that aired on CBS from April 21, 1993, to May 19, 2001. The series follows the crime-fighting adventures of Cordell Walker, a Texas Ranger, and his partner, James Trivette, as they investigate crimes in Dallas and throughout Texas.

Clarence Gilyard played the role of James Trivette in Walker, Texas Ranger. Trivette was a skilled detective and a loyal friend to Walker. He was also a skilled martial artist and often used his skills to help Walker solve crimes. Gilyard's portrayal of Trivette was a key part of the show's success, and he helped to make the character one of the most popular detectives on television.

The connection between Walker, Texas Ranger and Clarence Gilyard is significant because the show helped to launch Gilyard's career and make him a household name. Gilyard's portrayal of Trivette was also a groundbreaking moment for African American actors on television. Trivette was a strong and positive role model, and he helped to break down stereotypes about African Americans on television.

Clarence Gilyard FAQs

This section answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Clarence Gilyard.

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

Clarence Gilyard was best known for his role as Detective James Trivette on the television series Walker, Texas Ranger.

Question 2: When was Clarence Gilyard born?

Clarence Gilyard was born on December 24, 1955.

Question 3: Where was Clarence Gilyard born?

Clarence Gilyard was born in Moses Lake, Washington.

Question 4: When did Clarence Gilyard die?

Clarence Gilyard died on November 28, 2022.

Question 5: What was Clarence Gilyard's cause of death?

Clarence Gilyard died from complications of Lewy body dementia.

Clarence Gilyard

Clarence Gilyard was an American actor and university professor who made significant contributions to both fields. He was best known for his role as Detective James Trivette on the television series Walker, Texas Ranger, but he also appeared in numerous other films and television shows throughout his career.

Gilyard was also a dedicated professor who taught acting at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He was a popular professor among students and was known for his passion for teaching and his ability to connect with students.

Gilyard's legacy will continue to live on through his work as an actor and a professor. He was a talented performer who brought his characters to life with a sense of realism and depth. He was also a dedicated educator who helped students to learn and grow.

Clarence Gilyard was a true Renaissance man who excelled in both his professional and personal life. He was a talented actor, a dedicated professor, and a devoted family man. He will be remembered for his many accomplishments and for the positive impact he had on the lives of others.