Clarence Darnell 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, sometimes credited as Clarence A. Gilyard.
He almost did not make it into the cast of the cowboy show because, at the time, he was also thinking about selling his own show to CBS and was about to sign the contract. However, his agent convinced him to first consider a part in the show that Chuck Norris was selling, and he did. Clarence knew he would get the role of Jimmy because of all the people who auditioned, he noticed that he fit the character perfectly.
He was a cowboy then, a martial artist, and had even played college football; thus, Clarence had no problem passing the physicality part of it. Besides, the fact that he would be getting 13 checks from the 13-episode show compared to one check from his pending deal was enough to entice him to audition for Jimmy Trivette. Clarence had also been on “Matlock” for four years and felt it was time to grow as a physical actor.
Was Clarence Gilyard a martial artist? Did Clarence Gilyard know martial art?
Clarence Darnell Gilyard Jr ones said You need to fit a character in a television series. And why did you think that – because of the physicality of it? Because of the physicality – because I was a martial artist because I rodeoed because I played college football.
Clarence Darnell Gilyard Jr was definitely a martial artist to be able to work with Chuck Norris.
Source: Ghanafuo.com
