Gil Gerard, Buck Rogers Star, Dies at 82 After Cancer Battle
Gil Gerard, the American actor who brought the iconic character of Captain William "Buck" Rogers to television screens worldwide, has died at the age of 82 after a brief but fierce battle with cancer.
The veteran performer, who starred in the science fiction series "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" from 1979, passed away early Tuesday morning, according to his wife Janet Gerard, who shared the news on social media.
"Early this morning Gil, my soulmate, lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer," she posted. "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."
A Journey from Arkansas to Hollywood
Born Gilbert Cyril Gerard in Little Rock, Arkansas, the actor's path to stardom began when he moved to New York in 1969. He studied acting under Philip Burton at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy before landing his breakthrough role through a chance encounter that led to extra work on the 1970 film "Love Story."
Gerard initially hesitated to take on the Buck Rogers role, concerned about being typecast in science fiction. "I saw what it did to Adam West's career with Batman, and this was another cartoon character," he reflected in a 2018 interview. "I didn't want to do this campy stuff."
Television Legacy
Despite his reservations, Gerard's portrayal of the time-displaced astronaut who awakens 500 years in the future became a defining role of his career. The series, which began as a theatrical film before becoming a television show, ran for two seasons and established Gerard as a recognizable face in science fiction entertainment.
Before his Buck Rogers fame, Gerard was a working television actor who earned his stripes on daytime soap operas, including "Another World" and "The Doctors," where he played Dr. Alan Stewart across more than 300 episodes.
Final Message
In a touching final statement shared through his verified Facebook account, Gerard reflected on his life's journey: "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 concluded with words of wisdom: "Don't waste your time on anything that doesn't thrill you or bring you love. See you out somewhere in the cosmos."
Gerard is survived by his wife Janet, with whom he shared 18 years of marriage at their home in North Georgia.