Gil Gerard, the actor best known for his starring role in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, has died aged 82 following a brief battle with cancer.
The Arkansas-born actor died at his home in Georgia on Tuesday, according to his wife, Janet, who confirmed the news in a Facebook post.
She wrote, “Early this morning Gil – my soulmate – lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer.
“From the moment when we knew something was wrong to his death this morning was only days.”
Janet added, “No matter how many years I got to spend with him it would have ever been enough.
“Hold the ones you have tightly and love them fiercely.”
The couple had been married for 18 years.
Gerard was previously married to Bobi Leonard, Connie Sellecca, Constance Elizabeth Gerkin and Connie Jean McVay.
He shared a son, 44-year-old actor Gil Gerard, with Sellecca.
Following his death, Janet also shared a statement Gerard had written to be released after his passing.
It read, “My life has been an amazing journey. The opportunities I’ve had, the people I’ve met and the love I have given and received have made my 82 years on the planet deeply satisfying.
“My journey has taken me from Arkansas to New York to Los Angeles, and finally, to my home in North Georgia with my amazing wife, Janet, of 18 years.”
He added, “It’s been a great ride, but inevitably one that comes to a close as mine has,” advising fans not to waste “time on anything that doesn’t thrill you or bring you love,” before signing off, “See you out somewhere in the cosmos.”
Tributes quickly flowed online, with fans remembering both his work and his generosity.
One wrote, “RIP Gil Gerard – aka Buck Rogers, My older brother and I had a chance to meet him at a con once and he gave us his undivided attention. Pleasure to meet him.”
Another said, “Buck Rogers was one of my heroes & I’m sad to hear about the passing of GIL GERARD at the age of 82.”
A third added, “Farewell to Gil Gerard. I loved Buck Rogers when I was little & thought he was the coolest cat in the 25th century.”
Gerard rose to prominence playing Captain William “Buck” Rogers, a 20th-century astronaut who awakens hundreds of years in the future. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century aired for two seasons on NBC from 1979 to 1981, with Gerard appearing in all 32 episodes.
Developed to capitalise on the popularity of Star Wars, the series blended science-fiction adventure with comedy and also starred Erin Gray, Felix Silla, Tim O’Connor, Eric Server and legendary voice actor Mel Blanc.
Jamie Lee Curtis also appeared in two first-season episodes.
The franchise began as a television movie that was released theatrically before being repurposed as the series pilot following solid box office returns.
Despite the role becoming his signature, Gerard later said he was initially reluctant to accept it.
Speaking to the YouTube show GenXGrownUp in 2018, he said, “I saw what it did to Adam West’s career with Batman and this was another cartoon character. I didn’t want to do this campy stuff.”
Before Buck Rogers, Gerard appeared as Dr Alan Stewart on The Doctors, featuring in 303 episodes between 1973 and 1976.
His film credits included Airport ’77 and Hooch.
After Buck Rogers ended, Gerard continued working steadily in television, appearing in TV movies such as Not Just Another Affair, Hear No Evil, Johnny Blue, For Love or Money and Stormin’ Home.
He later starred in Sidekicks and made appearances on series including Nightingales, E.A.R.T.H. Force and Days of Our Lives.
Images: Shutterstock
