Former ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ star brings experience, ability to classroom

At 8 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, it seems odd that not one student in Art of Acting enters the classroom toting coffee, or any caffeinated substance for that matter. None is needed.

Actor, producer and recent addition to SMU’s acting program as Associate Professor of Theater, Clarence Gilyard, soon has the students reaching, stretching, jabbing and fully energized.

The class appears, at first glance, to be a physically rigorous mix of aerobics and mind-wrenching exercises where students perform mock duels, play tag and partake in other activities that test one’s quickness and reflex – all setting the mood for improvisation and workshop.

In 2000 Gilyard received the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Ranger Jimmy Trivette in “Walker, Texas Ranger.”

In addition to his work on “Walker,” he appeared on “Matlock” alongside Andy Griffith, appeared on the sixth season of “CHiPs,” and was a regular on the “Duck Factory” with Jim Carrey.

He’s also notably remembered for his roles in film, including Die Hard, Karate Kid, Left Behind and Top Gun as “Goose’s” replacement, “Sundown”).

After a professional acting career spanning three decades, he’s taken on a new challenge – passing on his knowledge.

“I want both components to my career,” he said. “I want both teaching and acting, and [SMU] was grateful enough to allow me to be an artist in residence.”

Kevin Hofeditz, chairman and associate dean of the theater department, said Gilyard has been an excellent addition so far, but said he was skeptical at first.

“Clarence came to me about a year ago,” Hofeditz said. “He wanted to make plans to remain in Dallas after ‘Walker.’ I wasn’t sure, considering his previous work, whether or not he was truly interested in becoming part of an academic environment.”

However, Hofeditz said from the beginning, “He’s shown that he’s serious about the job, and is serious about sharing all that he knows – and on top of that, he’s serious about learning more himself.”

Hofeditz also said the faculty and students are excited to have Gilyard on campus.

“The students love him,” Hofeditz said. “He is incredibly approachable and forthcoming with his knowledge.”

Sara Luxen, sophomore art major, said she was surprised and excited to have a teacher with such a well-known career.

“At first I hadn’t heard of him,” she said. “I took the class because it was a hands-on acting class, and on the first day I knew he looked familiar, since I’m from Texas.”

Luxen said she and her classmates were taken aback by his stature, which they now joke about.

“We realized that he had been in Top Gun and Die Hard,” she said, “and I was like, ‘Are you kidding?’ We constantly make fun of him for it.”

Gilyard said that his teaching experience so far has been one that he treasures, but it was not completely how he envisioned it.

“It’s a lot harder [than I thought],” he said. “I learn from the teachers here and the teachers when I was coming up.”

He graduated from California State University with honors, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Regardless of his qualifications, his presence as a successful working actor has helped get the students’ attention – or least at the inception of the year.

“A lot of the young actors know my work,” he said. “If they know I have work, they listen immediately. But if I don’t have anything to say, then I lose that leg up. It’s very easy to blow that.”

Gilyard said the students have displayed a positive response to his teachings. He even has a favorite classroom moment so far.

“My classes’ first plays almost made me cry, actually,” he said. “They were so good. The students have to cut a full-length play down to 15 minutes, costume themselves, rehearse and direct it themselves; I was a bit overwhelmed, to be honest.”

“[It’s gratifying] to see [my students] begin to appreciate and realize how creative they are – and they really are. They’re learning that it takes work and takes discipline, though.”

Luxen agrees.

“Professor Gilyard is all about work ethic,” she said. “He’s all about being the best actor you can be.”

Luxen said Gilyard sets a great example of the lengths an actor must go to get into character. She cited an instance in which Gilyard was studying to be an actor, and he was cast as a homeless person. For a day he acted the part of a homeless person on the streets.

“It’s awesome that he is that dedicated,” she said.

As for the 15-minute plays, Luxen enjoyed them.

“They were our midterm projects,” she said. “We were broken up into groups of three and acted out plays of such great variety, and everyone did a fabulous job.”

She said Art of Acting under professor Gilyard is a rewarding experience, citing that Gilyard has a point for everything they do, stressing “objectives, obstacles and tactics.”

“Our class is kind of like a tight-knit theater troop,” she said, “in that we’ve gotten to know each other so well and become such good friends.”

Hofeditz said after Gilyard’s performance, the future looks promising for SMU acting students.

“He’ll be here for at least 3 years,” he said. “He is just a true joy and positive energy in the hallways.”