Gil Gerard dead at 82: Buck Rogers star passes away

by · Mail Online

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century leading man Gil Gerard died at 82 at his Georgia home on Tuesday following a brief battle with cancer, his wife Janet said. 

'Early this morning Gil - my soulmate - lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer,' Janet said in a Facebook post. '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.'

Prior to his role on Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Gerard portrayed Dr. Alan Stewart on a total of 303 episodes of The Doctors from 1973–1976. 

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, according to a synopsis, saw 'the 20th century astronaut [emerge] out of 500 years of suspended animation into the 25th century to become Earth's greatest hero and to explore the unknown reaches of deep space.'

The Arkansas-born actor appeared in all 32 episodes of the series, which ran two seasons from 1979–1981, and was broadcast on NBC. 

Actor Gil Gerard died on Tuesday following a battle with cancer, his wife Janet said. He was 82.

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Buck Rogers in the 25th Century was intended to piggyback off the popularity of Star Wars, integrating more comedic elements.

The show also featured Erin Gray, Felix Silla, Tim O'Connor, Eric Server and legendary voiceover artist Mel Blanc. 

An up-and-coming Jamie Lee Curtis appeared on two episodes in the show's first season. 

Buck Rogers initially started as a TV movie which wound up in theaters, and drew decent box office revenues. 

The motion picture was later repurposed as the pilot of the series.

Gerard told the YouTube show GenXGrownUp in 2018 that he was not initially interested in taking the part that turned out to be his signature role, out of fears of typecasting.

'I saw what it did to Adam West‘s career with Batman and this was another cartoon character,' Gerard said. 'I didn’t want to do this campy stuff.'

Prior to Buck Rogers, Gerard had appeared in a pair of 1977 motion pictures: the drama Airport '77, and the comedy Hooch. 

Gil Gerard and Juanin Clay pictured on the set of the NBC sci-fi series Buck Rogers In The 25th Century
The Arkansas-born actor appeared in all 32 episodes of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, which ran two seasons from 1979–1981, and was broadcast on NBC 
Gerard and Gray seen in a publicity shot for the enduringly-popular Buck Rogers 
Gerard played a police officer on the TV show Sidekicks, which ran one season from 1986–1987

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Following the end of Buck Rogers, Gerard was a regular player on TV shows and made-for-TV movies. 

In the 1980s, Gerard appeared in TV films including Not Just Another Affair, Hear No Evil, Johnny Blue, For Love or Money, Stormin' Home.

Gerard's next starring role in a series came on the show Sidekicks, which ran one season from 1986–1987 and co-starred Ernie Reyes Jr., and Nancy Stafford.

In 1989, he appeared on five episodes of the series Nightingales playing Dr. Paul Petrillo. 

Gerard also appeared on the CBS show E.A.R.T.H. Force in 1990 playing the role of Dr. John Harding. In 1997, he played the role of Major Dodd on six episodes of the soap Days of Our Lives. 

The actor was married to wife Janet Gerard for 18 years. 

According to iMDb, Gil had also been married to Bobi Leonard from 1987 - 1989; Connie Sellecca from 1979-1987; Constance Elizabeth Gerkin from 1970-1977; and Connie Jean McVay from 1967-1968.

He and actress-model Sellecca, welcomed son Gib Gerard, 44, in 1981. Gib has followed in his late father's acting footsteps, having appeared in a number of films, with titles such as Love Accidentally, 13 Fanboy and Deadly Daughter Switch in recent years. 

Gerard and his ex-wife actress-model Connie Sellecca, pictured in the 1980s. They had been wed from 1979–1987
The Hollywood stalwart was seen at Dodger Stadium playing in a celebrity game in the 1980s
Gerard, who worked steadily in TV and film throughout his career, pictured in 1993

The actor left a poignant statement for his spouse to post in the event of his passing, which she did Tuesday.

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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.'

Gerard said that 'it’s been a great ride, but inevitably one that comes to a close as mine has.'

Gerard advised his fans not to waste 'time on anything that doesn’t thrill you or bring you love.

Gerard concluded in saying, 'See you out somewhere in the cosmos.'

Amid news of his passing, a number of fans took to social media to praise his talents onscreen, and his humility offscreen.

One fan said, '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.'

The actor was pictured in New York at a 2016 sci-fi convention, where fans said his humility and kindness was always on display 
The actor pictured with spouse Janet Gerard, who he was wed to for 18 years 
Janet informed the public of her husband's passing on her Facebook page Tuesday 
Amid news of Gerard's passing, fans took to social media to pay memorial to the late star

Said another: 'When I was growing up, I had 3 favorite TV shows that I used to record on my cassette recorder: Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica & Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. 

'Buck Rogers was one of my heroes & I’m sad to hear about the passing of GIL GERARD at the age of 82.'

Another fan wrote: 'So sorry to hear about the great Gil Gerard,' adding that the late actor and Grey came off as 'wonderful people' when he met them at a convention. 

Said one fan: 'Farewell to Gil Gerard. I loved Buck Rogers when I was little & thought he was the coolest cat in the 25th century. I still occasionally hum the theme song.'

One fan said, in a Buck Rogers reference, 'Bidi-bidi-bidi. You’re the best, Buck.'