Gil Gerard, the actor best known for playing the title character in “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,” has died. He was 82.
Gerard’s death was announced Tuesday night by his wife, Janet. He died in hospice care following a battle with a “rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer,” Janet wrote on social media.
“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,” Gerard said in a pre-written message that Janet also shared. “Don’t waste your time on anything that doesn’t thrill you or bring you love. See you out somewhere in the cosmos.”
“Buck Rogers” debuted in 1979 with a theatrical film that served as the pilot, before running for two seasons on NBC. The campy space adventure series was designed to capitalize on the popularity of “Star Wars,” which came out two years earlier.
Prior to the show, Gerard appeared in hundreds of commercials and popped into several popular TV shows, including “Hawaii Five-O” and “Little House on the Prairie.” He also starred in the films “Airport ‘77” and “Hooch.”
Though he continued picking up gigs after “Buck Rogers,” including a six-episode run on “Days of Our Lives,” Gerard largely fell out of the spotlight. He was open about his battles with drugs, alcohol and overeating during his later years, even estimating he lost $1 million worth of work because he was overeating.
In 2007, he was the subject of a Discovery Health Channel documentary called “Action Hero Makeover,” which chronicled his preparation for and recovery from gastric bypass surgery.
“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 wrote. “It’s been a great ride, but inevitably one that comes to a close as mine has.”
Gerard was married and divorced four times prior to his marriage to Janet. He’s survived by his 44-year-old son, actor Gilbert “Gib” Gerard, with model and actor Connie Sellecca.
