Clarence Gilyard Jr.

Clarence Alfred Gilyard Jr December 24 1955 November 28 2022 was an American university professor actor and author As a performer he appeared in film television and stage productions some sources give his middle name as Alfred Gilyard was known for his roles as second private investigator and righthand man Conrad McMasters to Ben Matlock played by Andy Griffith on the legal drama series Matlock from 1989 to 1993 Pastor Bruce Barnes in the first two Left Behind movies Cordell Walkers played by Chuck Norris 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 Evan Sundown Gough in Top Gun