Gil Gerard, star of ‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,’ dies at 82
Gil Gerard, the American actor who starred in the 1979 NBC sci-fi series “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,” died Tuesday after a battle with cancer. He was 82.
Gerard’s death was confirmed by his wife Janet in a Facebook post Tuesday evening.
“Early this morning Gil – my soulmate – lost his battle with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer,” read Janet’s message. “From the moment we knew something was wrong to his death this morning it was only a few days. No matter how many years I got to spend with him, it would never have been enough. Hold the ones you have tight and love them dearly.”
Gerard has also released his own statement on Facebook Tuesday night, which he asked his wife to share after he died.
“My life has been an amazing journey. The opportunities I have had, the people I have met and the love I have given and received have made my 82 years on this planet very fulfilling,” Gerard’s statement said. “My journey has taken me from Arkansas to New York to Los Angeles, and finally to my home in North Georgia with my wonderful wife, Janet, of 18 years. It has been an amazing ride, but inevitably one that comes to an end just like mine. Don’t waste your time on something that doesn’t excite you or bring you love. See you somewhere out there in the cosmos.”
“Buck Rogers in the 25th Century” ran for two seasons, from 1979 to 1981. The show, based on the character created by Philip Francis Nowlan in 1928, was first adapted as a made-for-TV movie, which grossed $21 million in its 1979 theatrical debut. Universal and NBC quickly began work on a weekly science fiction series later that same year. The film was cut in half for a two-part series premiere. “Buck Rogers” succeeded Gerard as Captain William “Buck” Rogers, a 20th century astronaut who has been frozen in space for 504 years and wakes up in the year 2491.
Gerard’s other TV credits include ‘Sidekicks’, ‘Nightingales’, ‘EARTH Force’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’. His more recent film credits include ‘Space Captain and Callista’, ‘The Nice Guys’ and ‘Blood Fare’.
Gerard was born in 1943 in Little Rock, Ark. He appeared in commercials and had small roles in several popular ’70s TV shows before breaking through with “Buck Rogers.”
