Every Major ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ Cast Member Who Passed Away

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‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ was a hit for nine seasons, bringing classic law-and-order storytelling to television and creating a beloved cast of characters. Sadly, several actors from the show have passed away, but their memorable performances and extensive work in film and TV continue to be remembered.

This collection honors the actors from the show who have passed away. It includes information about the characters they played, the seasons they appeared in, and their other significant work. We’ve included confirmed dates and details about their lives, where available.

Clarence Gilyard Jr.

Clarence Gilyard Jr. was a key part of ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ as James Trivette, Walker’s partner, appearing throughout the entire original series and returning for the 2005 movie. Before and alongside his work on ‘Walker’, he was well-known for roles in films like ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Die Hard’, and on the television show ‘Matlock’.

James Gilyard passed away on November 28, 2022, at the age of 66. He was a dedicated associate professor of film and theatre at the University of Nevada Las Vegas for many years, where he enjoyed teaching and guiding students, even while still working on his own creative projects. Friends and colleagues remembered him as having battled a long illness and celebrated his significant impact on both the stage and his students’ lives.

Noble Willingham

As a big fan of ‘Walker, Texas Ranger,’ I always enjoyed Noble Willingham’s character, C.D. Parker. He played this ex-Ranger who owned a bar, and he quickly became a really important part of the show, sticking around all the way through season seven. C.D.’s bar was basically Walker’s home base, and the character was a great mentor. It was a shame when Noble Willingham left, and so did his character. But he was a seasoned actor, with tons of roles under his belt before ‘Walker,’ so he had a really impressive career as a character actor.

Cameron Willingham passed away on January 17, 2004, at the age of 72. Before his death, he had left the show to run for office in Texas, and his character, C.D. Parker, was written out of the series with an off-screen death. A veteran of the Korean War, Willingham is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in California.

Gailard Sartain

Gailard Sartain originally played C.D. Parker in the pilot episode of the show, but Noble Willingham took over the role when the series began. Sartain was one of the first actors credited in the show and helped establish its early style. He was also well-known for his work in the ‘Ernest’ movies and many other television shows.

Robert Sartain passed away on June 19, 2025, at the age of 81, in his hometown of Tulsa. Reports indicated he died of natural causes. Throughout his long career, he worked in both comedic and dramatic roles, and he’s remembered as the first actor to portray the character C.D. in the early days of the show.

Floyd Red Crow Westerman

Floyd Red Crow Westerman played Uncle Ray Firewalker in the first episodes of the show, establishing a key part of Walker’s history and family. His character highlighted Walker’s Cherokee roots and provided important early influence. Westerman was also a well-known musician and a dedicated activist for Indigenous rights.

William Westerman passed away on December 13, 2007, at age 71, after a battle with leukemia. He was known for his work in film and television, including a role in ‘Dances with Wolves’ and appearances in multiple TV series. He also continued to participate in public service campaigns and support cultural initiatives throughout his life.

Frank Salsedo

Frank Salsedo played White Eagle, a spiritual advisor who helped Walker throughout the series. His character usually appeared when the show focused on Native American culture or when Walker was facing difficult personal challenges. Salsedo also acted in other movies and TV shows, often portraying Native American characters.

Ricardo ‘Salsedo’ Montalbán passed away on July 3, 2009, at the age of 80. He had a long and successful career in entertainment, beginning in the mid-1970s and continuing into the early 2000s, including appearances on ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ in the late 1990s. Beyond his work as an actor, he was also actively involved in his community and known for his contributions off-screen.

Eloy Casados

I always loved Sheriff Sam Coyote, played by Eloy Casados! He was the lawman on the Cherokee reservation and a really reliable partner to Walker – they worked together on so many cases. He was a regular character for several seasons, especially whenever an episode took place on the reservation or involved multiple areas of law enforcement. Before Walker, I remembered him from the TV movie ‘Ishi: The Last of His Tribe,’ and he kept acting in films and doing voice work after that too.

On April 19, 2016, actor Casados passed away at the age of 66. He was a Native American actor who worked in film, television, and voice acting for over thirty years. Many remember him for his frequent appearances on ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’.

James Drury

As a big fan of westerns, I always appreciate seeing familiar faces pop up, and James Drury – best known as ‘The Virginian’ – really lent some credibility to the early episodes of ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’. He played Captain Tom Price, the Rangers’ boss during those first few episodes as the show was finding its footing. It was cool to see him help establish how Walker and Trivette fit into the Texas Department of Public Safety, and he definitely helped set the tone for the series.

James Drury passed away on April 6, 2020, at the age of 85. He worked in film and television for over five decades, from the 1950s to the 2000s, and continued to make appearances at western-themed events and museums. While his role on ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ was relatively short, it connected the show to the history of westerns on television.

Brion James

Brion James played the villain Rafer Cobb in a two-part episode connected to a storyline about a boy named Lucas. This arc was one of the show’s most popular, and it also showcased the early work of an actor who would later win an Academy Award. James was a very busy character actor, appearing in over a hundred films, including well-known roles in ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘The Player’.

James passed away on August 7, 1999, at the age of 54, following a heart attack. Even after his death, several of his films were released, and his television work, including episodes of ‘Walker, Texas Ranger,’ continued to be shown around the world.

Tell us about your favorite moments with these actors and the episodes where you first met their characters – share your stories in the comments!

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2025-10-14 09:34