Gil Gerard, best known for his role as Buck Rogers in the film and television series of the same name, has passed away at age 82. His wife, Janet, shared the news on Facebook. Gerard, who battled cancer for a long time, shared a message from beyond the grave, written by himself before passing.
Gil Gerard has died at the age of 82. The actor, born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1943, became a household name as the titular hero in the sci-fi series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, which aired on NBC between 1979 and 1981.
Through Facebook, his wife, Janet, shared the news that Gil passed away on Tuesday, December 16. He was battling cancer.
“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 wrote.
Actor Gil Gerard dead at 82
Buck Rogers was based on a popular comic strip character, most famously featured in a 1939 movie serial starring Olympic swimmer Buster Crabbe. It was adapted into a movie in 1979, just after Star Wars was released.
But it wasn’t certain that Gil Gerard would take the role at the beginning. In 2018, the actor revealed that he wasn’t really into the part. 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.”
Luckily, in the end, Gerard was persuaded into doing the film, and it was a good call. Buck Rogers became a massive hit, making the top 25 highest-grossing films in the US that year.
Later that year, the series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century premiered, with the first episode being the film. After 32 episodes through April 1981, the show was sadly canceled.
Gil Gerard continued to star in several television series, including Help Wanted: Male in 1982. Other credits include Sidekicks, E.A.R.T.H. FORCE, and Days of Our Lives. Among some of his recent film credits, we find Space Captain and Callista and The Nice Guys.
Shares a message from beyond the grave
On Tuesday night, after his passing was announced, a message from Gil Gerard appeared on his Facebook page. It was a message he had written before his death, which he had asked his wife, Janet, to share.
Janet began the message by writing, “I was by his side when my husband passed away this morning in hospice care. Below is the message he left”.
Gil wrote, “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,” read Gerard’s statement. “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.”
Gil Gerard concluded, “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.”
Rest in peace, Gil Gerard. Please share your best memories from his career in the comment section on Facebook.
