American university professor, actor, and author, Clarence Darnell Gilyard Jr., has passed away at the age of 66.

He was best known for his roles as the second private investigator and right-hand man Conrad McMasters to Ben Matlock on the legal drama series Matlock from 1989 to 1993

Who is Clarence Gilyard’s brother Milton Gilyard?

Clarence Gilyard was born on December 24, 1955, in Moses Lake, Washington, into a military family. His father, Clarence Gilyard Sr., was a U.S. Air Force officer.  He was one of six children born to his parents, and judging by his name, he is either the eldest child or the eldest son.

Though the family was originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, he was raised on Air Force bases in Hawaii, Texas, and Florida.

Growing up, he attended Eisenhower High School, where he excelled academically. After graduating in 1974, he spent a year as an Air Force Academy cadet. However, he decided to leave the service to attend Sterling College.

There, he played football and joined the Sigma Chi fraternity. Though he received a tennis scholarship, he dropped out of school before completing his studies.