Gil Gerard, the iconic actor best known for his role as Buck Rogers in the 1979 film and TV series, passed away at the age of 82. Gerard died in hospice care on Tuesday, and his wife, Janet Gerard, shared the news on Facebook with a heartfelt tribute: “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.
“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.”
Janet also posted a message from Gerard himself, written shortly before his death, on his own Facebook page. In his note, Gerard reflected, “If you are reading this, then Janet has posted it as I asked her to. 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.”
He went on to share, “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. It’s been a great ride, but inevitably one that comes to a close as mine has. Don’t waste your time on anything that doesn’t thrill you or bring you love. See you out somewhere in the cosmos.”
Gerard’s path to stardom began in Little Rock, Arkansas, before he moved to New York in 1969 to pursue acting. While balancing his ambitions with work as a taxi driver, one fateful fare encouraged him to try for a role in the film “Love Story.” Though his part was cut from the final edit, the experience pushed him to chase his dreams. Gerard then appeared in hundreds of commercials, landed small roles in films like “Airport ’77” and “Hooch,” and continued to work toward his big break.
That opportunity came with a guest role on “Little House on the Prairie,” where he caught the attention of the show’s star, Michael Landon. Landon offered Gerard a role in a new series he was developing. Although NBC passed on the project, the network saw promise in Gerard and cast him as Buck Rogers in a movie and TV collaboration with Universal Pictures. The show ran for 32 episodes between 1979 and
