• LOC Chuck Norris leaves the cinema to dedicate himself to the care of his wife

Clarence Gilyard Jr.

, the sheriff who accompanied Chuck Norris in

'Walker, Texas Ranger'

and popular supporting actor in legendary films such as 'Die Die' or 'Top Gun' and the successful ones, has died at the age of 66.

His death was announced this week by the

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

, where he taught stage and film acting.

At the moment, the reasons for his death have not been disclosed.

"Professor Gilyard was a beacon of light and strength to everyone around him at UNLV," the school's film director,

Heather Addison

, said in a statement.

"Every time we asked him how he was doing, he would cheerfully declare that he was 'Blessed!'

But it is truly us who have been blessed to be his colleagues and students for so many years."

Clarence Gilyard Jr. as an acting professor at the University of Nevada, Las VegasAaron MayesAP

Gilyard was a native of

Moses Lake, Washington

.

He had a prolific acting career, beginning in the 1980s with appearances on 'Diff'rent Strokes,' 'The Facts of Life,' and other shows.

He then appeared in two of the biggest movies of the decade: 'Top Gun,' in which he played

Sundown

, a radar intercept officer, and 'Die Hard,' in which he played an expert mugger. computers.

In the 1990s, he was on the side of law enforcement in "Matlock," opposite

Andy Griffith

, and "Walker, Texas Ranger," starring

Chuck Norris

.

He also starred in "The Karate Kid: Part II," a stage production of "Driving Miss Daisy," and an appearance alongside Bruce Willis in a DieHard drummer commercial.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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  • theater

  • secondary education