Gil Gerard, ‘Buck Rogers’ star who was a hero to late-’70s latchkey kids, dies at 82

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Gil Gerard, best known for playing Buck Rogers in the 1979 film and the popular TV series that followed, passed away Tuesday at the age of 82. The news was shared by his wife on social media. He was a childhood hero to many.

Janet Gerard shared on Facebook Tuesday evening that her husband, Gil, whom she called her soulmate, passed away after a brief but intense battle with a rare and aggressive cancer. She said he died just days after they learned he was ill.

Television

I was really saddened to hear about the passing of Anthony Geary. He was Luke Spencer on ‘General Hospital,’ and honestly, ‘Luke and Laura’ was iconic – a huge part of daytime TV history. It’s incredible to think he was on almost 2,000 episodes of the show! He was 78 years old, and he’ll be deeply missed by so many of us who grew up watching him.

She was with Gerard when he passed away in hospice, and she shared a final message he’d prepared for his loved ones on his Facebook page.

The actor explained that if anyone was seeing this message, it was because Janet had shared it at his request. He reflected on his life, calling it a wonderful journey filled with incredible opportunities, meaningful connections with people, and a wealth of love both given and received, making his 82 years truly fulfilling.

The post quickly filled with comments from fans sharing memories of Gerard’s role as Buck Rogers and how it impacted them.

One fan wrote that Gil Gerard’s time as Buck Rogers didn’t feel long enough, but it left a lasting impression on his childhood, remaining with him for over 45 years. He admired how the character was both a strong, courageous hero, but also a kind, compassionate, and just one, qualities he felt reflected the actor himself. He expressed gratitude for Gerard portraying a hero everyone should aspire to be.

Another fan replied, “[H]aving met him, I can say he was all that. On and off the screen.”

Hero Complex Blog

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Like so many others, I loved watching Gil Gerard as Buck Rogers when I was a kid. He was a cool, funny, and genuinely nice actor. It was wonderful to reconnect with him online after all this time – he still has that same great personality! I was really excited when he liked one of my comments. We’ll always be fans and remember him fondly, even ‘500 years into the future!’

Gerard discussed the allure of “Buck Rogers” with The Times in 2010.

He explained that people enjoyed their show because it was funny, bright, and featured heroic characters. It was designed as entertainment for the whole family. While he believes it’s important to address serious topics, he pointed to shows like ‘All in the Family’ as examples of how to do so with humor, proving you don’t need to be constantly gloomy or intense to tackle meaningful issues.

He also expressed his hopes for the future of science fiction, noting that many projects of the time felt overly bleak and pessimistic. He jokingly added that they also seemed preoccupied with rain or dampness.

You know what’s been bugging me lately? All these futuristic movies are soaked – it’s always raining and everything’s just a muddy mess. And it’s weird, right? Like, in ‘Waterworld,’ they’re basically living on the water, but everyone’s still covered in grime! I mean, seriously, wouldn’t someone just accidentally fall in and wash off once in a while? It just doesn’t make sense to me. It’s funny, but I can’t help but notice it every time.

Movies

Rob Reiner, the director of popular films like ‘When Harry Met Sally’ and ‘The Princess Bride,’ passed away on Sunday at his home in Brentwood. He was 78 years old and was with his wife at the time.

Gilbert Cyril Gerard was born on January 23, 1943, in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1969, he moved to New York City to pursue an acting career, training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

To make ends meet, he worked as a taxi driver. One day, a passenger suggested he audition for the movie “Love Story.” He ended up working on the film for ten weeks, which launched his acting career. He initially appeared in commercials for major brands like Ford, Coca-Cola, and Proctor & Gamble. Then, he landed a recurring role as Dr. Alan Stewart, a former prisoner of war, on the NBC daytime drama “The Doctors,” where he played the part for over 300 episodes between 1973 and 1976.

An agent convinced him to move to the West Coast, and he began auditioning for roles, eventually catching the attention of NBC. This led to him being cast as the star of the Universal Pictures film “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,” where he acted alongside Erin Gray, who played Col. Wilma Deering, and Pamela Hensley as Princess Ardala.

Gil Gerard starred as Buck Rogers, an astronaut from the 20th century who woke up 500 years in the future to find Earth in ruins. The movie made over $21 million worldwide in 1979, which is roughly $100 million today.

California

Investigators are looking into a hotel near the Santa Monica Pier for information related to the arrest of Nick Reiner, who is suspected of murdering his famous parents, director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. The hotel may offer insights into what happened before the crime.

Beyond his role in “Buck Rogers,” he appeared in many popular TV shows of the time, like “Baretta,” “Hawaii 5-0,” “CHiPs,” and “Little House on the Prairie.” He also starred in some less well-known TV movies with fun titles, such as “Reptisaurus,” “Nuclear Hurricane,” and “Bone Eater.” In the mid-1980s, a few years after “The Karate Kid” was nominated for an Oscar, he played a police officer who became the guardian of a young martial arts prodigy in the show “Sidekicks.” Later, his role in the short-lived 1990 series “E.A.R.T.H Force” received some playful criticism from television critic Howard Rosenberg.

Gerard also starred in popular, widely-released movies like “The Nice Guys,” alongside Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling, and “The Big Easy” with Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin.

Gerard had been married and divorced three times before he married Janet in the 2010s. One of his previous wives was model and actress Connie Sellecca, and they were married from 1979 to 1987. They had a son together.

It’s well known he struggled with substance abuse, but what really struck me looking back at his career was his battle with weight. He was once a classic leading man, incredibly fit, but by the 1990s, he’d gained a significant amount, reportedly exceeding 300 pounds, and his health began to decline. He was surprisingly open about it, even documenting his 2005 mini gastric bypass surgery in a Discovery Health special called “Action Hero Makeover.” It was a really honest look at a very public struggle.

Movies

Starting in 2029, the Oscars will be available to watch on YouTube, bringing an end to its traditional broadcast television run of over 50 years. This represents the most significant change in how the show is distributed in its entire history.

I read a comment on Gerard’s Facebook page today that really got to me. This fan wrote that Gil probably saved their life. They needed weight loss surgery but were putting it off, and then they saw a documentary about Gil’s own journey. Apparently, Gil was someone they looked up to as a kid, and seeing him go through it gave them the push they needed. They even emailed him a thank you years ago, and he was kind enough to respond. It’s just heartbreaking to think about how many people he touched, and how much he’ll be missed.

Gerard appeared to be quite grateful and gracious at the end of his life.

He acknowledged that all good things must end, saying it had been a wonderful experience. In a final message, he encouraged everyone to focus on what truly makes them happy and to pursue love, and signed off with a hopeful ‘See you somewhere out there.’

Janet Gerard shared a heartfelt message on Facebook, saying that even a lifetime wouldn’t have been long enough to spend with him. She urged people to cherish their loved ones and love them with all their heart.

Besides his wife, Gerard is also survived by his son, Gib Gerard – he’s an actor himself, and just 44 years old. It’s always tough to hear about talented people gone, and knowing he leaves behind a son following in his footsteps makes it even more poignant.

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2025-12-18 00:04