Clarence Gilyard’s Net Worth, Wife, Age, Death Rumors – Wiki

• Clarence Gilyard is an actor and professor with a net worth of over $5 million
• He grew up in a military family, and attended Eisenhower High School and Sterling College
• He debuted in the play "Bleacher Burns", and subsequently appeared in films such as "Top Gun" and "Die Hard"
• He is most known for his roles in "Matlock" and "Walker, Texas Ranger"
• He is married and has five children, and is good friends with Chuck Norris and considers the late Andy Griffith as his acting mentor

Known for movies

Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-2001)
as James Trivette

Die Hard (1988)
as Theo

Top Gun (1986)
as Sundown

Matlock (1989-1995)
as Conrad McMasters

Who is Clarence Gilyard?

Clarence Alfred Gilyard Jr. was born on 24 December 1955, in Moses Lake, Washington, USA, and is an actor as well as a professor, but best known for his acting work. He played the right-hand man to Ben Matlock in the series “Matlock”, and also played the partner of Chuck Norris in “Walker, Texas Ranger”. He worked on films too, such as “Top Gun” and “Die Hard”.

The Net Worth of Clarence Gilyard

As of early-2020, Clarence Gilyard has a net worth estimated to be over $5 million, earned through a successful career in acting in the entertainment industry since 1980. Though he took a long break from acting, he returned to work on the independent scene in recent years.

Early Life and Education

Clarence grew up in a military family, with his father working in thea US Air Force, so his family moved around, and he grew up on Air Force bases in several locations in the US.

He was born as the second of six children, with one of his brothers also pursuing a career in the Air Force. He, on the other hand, attended Eisenhower High School, and though he showed potential in school, he was often in the midst of trouble. He had problems with women, alcohol, and occasionally drugs, which led his parents to force him to move out to be set apart from his bad influences. He spent a year in the Air Force Academy, but left to attend Sterling College, where he played American Football for the college team.

He then discovered his passion for acting while in Long Beach, California, then enrolling at California State University, Long Beach to major in acting.

Career Beginnings

Gilyard completed his acting degree at California State University, Dominguez Hills and while doing so looked for acting opportunities. To make ends meet, he took odd jobs and briefly worked as a waiter before taking a job at a clothing store. He was promoted to manager of the store, but left to work as an industrial chemical salesman,  not fairing as well.

In 1979 he settled in Los Angeles and got his first acting project in the play “Bleacher Burns” becoming the first black actor to play the role of the cheerleader. He then moved to television, working as a guest in several television shows such as “Riptide”, “Diff’rent Strokes’, and “227”. In 1986, he secured one of his first prominent roles in the film “Top Gun” playing the F-14 Tomcat Rader Intercept Officer LTJG Marcus “Sundown” Williams. He then worked on “The Karate Kid Part II” before appearing in the Bruce Willis film “Die Hard” as the computer expert Theo.

He subsequently appeared in the films “Left Behind: The Movie” and “Left Behind II: Tribulation Force”.

Later Career

In 1989, Clarence was cast as the private investigator Conrad McMasters in “Matlock”, alongside Andy Griffith, remaining in the role for four years, and appeared during the first three seasons of the show, but later left following the show’s move from NBC to ABC. He was then cast in another notable role in the show “Walker, Texas Ranger” starring Chuck Norris, portraying fellow Ranger James “Jimmy” Trivette, who is the best friend of Norris’ character.

The show became a big hit, during which he did a lot of stunts, working in the series for its entire run and became good friends with the cast. He later made a cameo appearance in “Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire”, before announcing his retirement from acting in 2005.

After a seven-year break from the craft, he returned in 2012, but mostly worked on independent projects such as the film “A Matter of Faith”. In 2016, he was in the film “Driving Miss Daisy” which was released at The Neil Simon Film Festival.

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An interview with Clarence Gilyard, director of Barefoot In the Park this summer at @centerfortheartsatkayenta and Roy in Simonfest’s production of I Left My Dignity In My Other Purse! Watch the full video on our YouTube channel or Facebook page?

A post shared by SimonFest Theatre Company (@simonfestco) on Jun 12, 2019 at 5:54pm PDT

He also portrayed the high school coach in “Madden 2018”.

Personal Life

Clarence has been married twice, first to Catherine which ended in divorce. In 2001, he married Elena Castillo and they have been together since; he has five children across his two marriages. His religion is Catholic, and serves with the US Catholic Bishops as a part of their Communications Committee.

He is very close friends with Chuck Norris as the two shared a lot of things in common, including their favorite Westerns and characters. Their parents also served in the Air Force, but during different periods. He considers the late Andy Griffith as his acting mentor, who helped him a lot particularly during their time together in “Matlock”.

Marks

#	Marks / Signs
1	Nasally, whiny voice
2	Very muscular physique
3	Frequently played characters that are of the civil law

Quotes

#	Quote
1	[on his charity he spent time for] I always wanted to be a cowboy and work with my horse every weekend. My specialty is team roping. I had the pleasure of working with Charlie Sampson in Mesa, Arizonza, the last time out. He's the 1982 World Champion Rider. I love it out there, up to my butt in horses, calves, dirt and dung.
2	[When he replaced Kene Holiday on Matlock (1986), in the role of Conrad] I was doing a lot of stress management that day. I decided to forget about the audition script and focus on how I felt about Andy the man. Having grown up with The Andy Griffith Show (1960), adoring the father-son relationship, I just figured to be Opie for a day. Well, I blew it. I was disappointed with myself, thinking I would never work again. But I turned on the TV in the limousine taking me back to the airport that night, and my second episode on Diff'rent Strokes (1978) happened to be on. I felt it was a good omen.
3	I was part of a lot of great television projects. I started out on 'CHiPs' with Erik (Estrada). It was really consuming with Andy and Chuck. I do intend to go back, but not to the demise of the quality of life that I have now with my wife and five kids. And I always wanted that collegiate component in my life. It was one of those ("Godfather" author) Mario Puzo things. They made me an offer I couldn't refuse at a good university that's becoming a fine university. It's a great fit.
4	[Of his spiritual talents]: To see those men do that was providential. It made me realize that artistically I have a lot of voices -- but how do I articulate all those voices unless I put my trust in some type of technique?
5	[When his role on Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) came to an end, after 8 1/2 seasons]: I wanted to start over. Also, I was going to work on my new marriage. After 15 straight years of network TV I knew that I couldn't put a young marriage through that.
6	[In the wake of his misbehavior of his marriage]: My wife left me because I started to have an affair.
7	[on figuring out the many Catholics that get on their knees each day]: I don't know how many Catholics are aware of why we are on our knees in the presence of Jesus. That's where I needed to be. Mother Church allows that and informs us that way. It is one of the great gifts.
8	[on Chuck Norris's, Cordell Walker]: There was really no one else in town who could play that character.
9	I was a prodigal, and not learning a lot of healthy habits. I was doing a little drugs, drinking a lot, chasing women until my parents said, 'You've got to move out.'
10	[when he wanted to be an actor] I knew it was the right choice from day one, then, through actor friends working at a restaurant where I was waiting tables at night.
11	I knew that nobody in this business would ever ask to see my diploma - I did it for myself. I believe that the only way you can really change your life is to get new information. I also wanted to learn the classic, not fake them.
12	[on being born Christmas Eve]: We did the best we could to make it a festive occasion, but I was always awed by what the kids in school said they got from Santa Claus. I couldn't quite bring myself to tell them about the boring underwear and socks I got year after year.
13	[on turning 50]: I really have to work hard to keep up with them.
14	[on why he would frequently grow his beard, outside of work]: If people look at you in an elevator long enough, they'll recognize you.
15	[on how he sees himself as a character outside of his faith]: As a Catholic Christian, people don't necessarily want to see you in that way, as a person, as a father, as someone called to marriage or as an artist.
16	[Of his journeyman career]: I had been trying to make it in show business without any real vision. I was getting some success because I was a type - I had a quality that producers were looking for. But I wasn't controlling my destiny.
17	[on his character in "Left Behind"]: I am blessed to be a part of the production and get to play this character. I'm not the best actor in the world, but even better, I get to help this character evolve. I think God wants me to be playing Bruce Barnes.
18	It took me 10 years, but I eventually graduated from college, too.
19	Why I got to do 13 straight years of network television and somebody else didn't, who knows?
20	I grew up as an Air Force brat. My family moved around a lot. I entered the U.S. Air Force Academy after high school, but left after a year. I couldn't afford to stay at Sterling College in Kansas, where I played wide receiver for the football team, so I went to work and eventually moved back to California.

Facts

#	Fact
1	Surrogate son of Andy Griffith.
2	Credits Andy Griffith as his favorite acting mentor/best friend.
3	When Matlock (1986) moved production from Los Angeles to North Carolina, at the beginning of the seventh season, it was Andy Griffith who suggested to him that he moved there. Fortunately, for Gilyard, he resided in North Carolina, for over a year, and moved back to Los Angeles.
4	Has returned to college to get his masters degree in Acting from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. [September 2003]
5	Best friends with Sheree J. Wilson.
6	He is an associate professor of theater at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. [August 2006]
7	Lived in Los Angeles, California, from 1980 to 1992, and again from 1993 to 2001.
8	His acting mentors were the late Andy Griffith and Chuck Norris.
9	Gilyard was a finalist for the role of Geordi LaForge on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987).
10	Went to the same high school as ex-Allies lead guitarist Randy Thomas and actor/singer Kirk Fogg.
11	Attended California State University, Long Beach, with a major in theater.
12	His father, Clarence Sr., had converted his religion from Baptist to Lutheran, which Clarence Jr. practiced in California, Hawaii, Texas, Florida, everywhere.
13	Before he was an actor, he worked with his housemate at a clothing store. He was promoted to manager.
14	His brother, Milton, is moderately developmentally disabled.
15	Graduated from Eisenhower High School in Rialto, California, in 1974.
16	Like his father, he went to the Air Force Academy.
17	The second of six children.
18	His family was originally from New Orleans, Louisiana.
19	Serves as a consultant of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Communications.
20	Originally a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
21	His son, Peter, was born on May 30, 2007.
22	As a little boy, like co-star Nancy Stafford, he was a huge fan of The Andy Griffith Show (1960). Several years after that show went off the air, he beat out three other actors for the role of a private investigator on Andy Griffith's Matlock (1986), for the fourth season of the series, when he replaced Kene Holiday.
23	A cowboy buff.
24	Three of the movies he has starred in have gone on to gross well over $150 million each in worldwide box office and DVD sales.
25	Best known by the public for his roles as Conrad McMasters on Matlock (1986), and as James "Jimmy" Trivette on Walker, Texas Ranger (1993).
26	After joining the cast of the play "Bleacher Burns," Clarence became the first black actor to play the role of the cheerleader. By coincidence, the real-life person on whom the cheerleader at Wrigley Field was based was indeed black.
27	He began his acting career working in the children's theater.
28	Gilyard was born in Moses Lakes, Washington, but was raised on military bases in Hawaii, Texas, and Florida.
29	He is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
30	Attended Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas, for some time. After his success as an actor, Clarence has given back to the college in many ways, one of which was paying for new tennis courts for the college.

Pictures

Movies

Actor

Title	Year	Status	Character
The Sector	2016		Reverend Raines
Rabbit Days	2016		Auguste Porter
The Track	2015		Psychiatrist
A Matter of Faith	2014		Professor Portland
artScene	2013	TV Series
From Above	2013		Jeremiah Ward
Little Monsters	2012		Ben Foreman
Top Gun 2: Back to Traffic School	2012	Short	Sundown
Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire	2005	TV Movie	James Trivette (as Clarence Gilyard)
Left Behind II: Tribulation Force	2002		Pastor Bruce Barnes (as Clarence Gilyard)
Walker, Texas Ranger	1993-2001	TV Series	James Trivette
Left Behind: The Movie	2000	Video	Bruce Barnes (as Clarence Gilyard)
Sons of Thunder	1999	TV Series	Ranger Jimmy Trivette
Walker Texas Ranger 3: Deadly Reunion	1994		James Trivette (as Clarence Gilyard)
Matlock	1989-1993	TV Series	Conrad McMasters
The Big One: The Great Los Angeles Earthquake	1990	TV Movie	Roy Bryant
L.A. Takedown	1989	TV Movie	Mustafa Jackson
Die Hard	1988		Theo
The Facts of Life	1987	TV Series	Matt
Off the Mark	1987		James B. White
227	1987	TV Series	Harold Bailey
Simon & Simon	1986	TV Series	Wally Stokes
The Karate Kid Part II	1986		G.I. #1
Top Gun	1986		Sundown
Solomon's Universe	1985	TV Movie	Casey
Riptide	1984	TV Series	William Collins
The Duck Factory	1984	TV Series	Roland Culp
Things Are Looking Up	1984	TV Movie	Clement McCallister
CHiPs	1982-1983	TV Series	Officer Benjamin Webster / Webster
The Kid with the 200 I.Q.	1983	TV Movie
Making the Grade	1982	TV Series
Diff'rent Strokes	1981	TV Series	Frank Simpson / The Student

Director

Title	Year	Status	Character
Walker, Texas Ranger	1999	TV Series 1 episode

Producer

Title	Year	Status	Character
Boondoggle	1999	executive producer

Soundtrack

Title	Year	Status	Character
Matlock	1989	TV Series performer - 1 episode

Thanks

Title	Year	Status	Character
Top Gun 2: Back to Traffic School	2012	Short special thanks

Self

Title	Year	Status	Character
The Making of 'Left Behind II: Tribulation Force'	2002	Video documentary short	Himself (as Clarence Gilyard)
The Making of 'Left Behind: The Movie'	2000	Video documentary short	Himself
Orange Bowl Parade	1997	TV Movie	Himself - Host
Walker: Behind the Scenes with TV's Toughest Cop	1996	TV Movie documentary	Himself

Archive Footage

Title	Year	Status	Character
Matlock	1994-1995	TV Series	Conrad McMasters

Awards

Won Awards

Year	Award	Ceremony	Nomination	Movie
2000	Image Award	Image Awards	Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series	Walker, Texas Ranger (1993)
1999	Lone Star Film & Television Award	Lone Star Film & Television Awards	Best TV Supporting Actor	Walker, Texas Ranger (1993)