In the '80s, "Die Hard" seemed impossible to cast, with Hollywood heavy hitters like Schwarzenegger, Clint Eastwood, Richard Gere and others passing on the role as NYPD Det. McClane.

Clarence Gilyard, the actor best known for playing computer hacker Theo in “Die Hard” and naval flight officer Marcus “Sundown” Williams in “Top Gun,” has died at the age of 66.