A big loss! Hollywood icon passes away, suffering from a serious illness (Photo+Name)

The icon of Hollywood, the famous American actor Clarence Gilyard Jr. has passed away at the age of 66.

Foreign media write that the talented actor passed away at the age of 66 after suffering from an illness, without specifically saying what.

Gilyard worked in Hollywood for two decades, but then broke away and became part of theater productions before moving on to become an associate professor in 2006.

Gilyard made his film debut in 1986's Top Gun, starring alongside Tom Cruise as the F-14 Tomcat radar intercept officer. It was easy for Gilyard to fit into the role, having been born into a military family and raised on Air Force bases in Hawaii, Texas and Florida.

His most notable role, however, was as Theo, Hans Gruber's computer hacker in 1988's Die Hard.

Gilyard also performed on stage and on the small screen, most notably playing Conrad McMasters in the ABC legal drama series Matlock. He also had a starring role as James Trivette in the CBS crime action series Walker, Texas Ranger. The famous actor was the father of 6 children.