Celebrities Clarence Gilyard Jr., Birthday: 24 December 1955, Moses Lake, Washington, USA

[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. Show less «

[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? Show less «

[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. Show less «

It took me 10 years, but I eventually graduated from college, too.

[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. Show less «

[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. Show less «

[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. Show less «

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. Show less «

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. Show less «

[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. Show less «

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. Show less «

[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.' Show less «

[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. Show less «

[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. Show less «

[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. Show less «

[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. Show less «

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. Show less «

[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. Show less «

Clarence Gilyard Jr.

Clarence Gilyard Jr.'s FILMOGRAPHY

Clarence Gilyard Jr.'S roles

Feedback about this page?