Clarence Gilyard Jr.
Birthday: 24 December 1955, Moses Lake, Washington, USA
Birth Name: Clarence Darnell Gilyard Jr.
Height: 174 cm
Clarence Gilyard Jr. was born on December 24, 1955 in Moses Lake, Washington, USA as Clarence Darnell Gilyard Jr. He is an actor and director, known for Walker, Texas Ranger (1993), Die Hard (1988) an ...Show More
[when he wanted to be an actor] I knew it was the right choice from day one, then, through actor fri Show more
[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. Hide
I was part of a lot of great television projects. I started out on 'CHiPs' with Erik (Estrada). It w Show more
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. Hide
[on why he would frequently grow his beard, outside of work]: If people look at you in an elevator l Show more
[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. Hide
[When his role on Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) came to an end, after 8 1/2 seasons]: I wanted to star Show more
[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. Hide
I grew up as an Air Force brat. My family moved around a lot. I entered the U.S. Air Force Academy a Show more
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. Hide
I knew that nobody in this business would ever ask to see my diploma - I did it for myself. I believ Show more
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. Hide
[on turning 50]: I really have to work hard to keep up with them.
[on turning 50]: I really have to work hard to keep up with them.
I was a prodigal, and not learning a lot of healthy habits. I was doing a little drugs, drinking a l Show more
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.' Hide
[Of his journeyman career]: I had been trying to make it in show business without any real vision. I Show more
[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. Hide
[on being born Christmas Eve]: We did the best we could to make it a festive occasion, but I was alw Show more
[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. Hide
[Of his spiritual talents]: To see those men do that was providential. It made me realize that artis Show more
[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? Hide
[on his character in "Left Behind"]: I am blessed to be a part of the production and get to play thi Show more
[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. Hide
Why I got to do 13 straight years of network television and somebody else didn't, who knows?
Why I got to do 13 straight years of network television and somebody else didn't, who knows?
[on how he sees himself as a character outside of his faith]: As a Catholic Christian, people don't Show more
[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. Hide
It took me 10 years, but I eventually graduated from college, too.
It took me 10 years, but I eventually graduated from college, too.
[In the wake of his misbehavior of his marriage]: My wife left me because I started to have an affai Show more
[In the wake of his misbehavior of his marriage]: My wife left me because I started to have an affair. Hide
[on Chuck Norris's, Cordell Walker]: There was really no one else in town who could play that charac Show more
[on Chuck Norris's, Cordell Walker]: There was really no one else in town who could play that character. Hide
[on figuring out the many Catholics that get on their knees each day]: I don't know how many Catholi Show more
[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. Hide
[When he replaced Kene Holiday on Matlock (1986), in the role of Conrad] I was doing a lot of stress Show more
[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. Hide
[on his charity he spent time for] I always wanted to be a cowboy and work with my horse every weeke Show more
[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. Hide
Clarence Gilyard Jr.'s FILMOGRAPHY
as Actor (71)
Clarence Gilyard Jr.'S roles
Sundown
Theo
James Trivette
