UPDATED with message from Gerard: Gil Gerard, the handsome hero of early-Eighties TV hit Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, died after a battle with cancer this morning in hospice with his wife at his side. He was 82. The news was announced by his wife, Janet Gerard, on social media.
After sharing the news, Gerard’s wife posted a message late today on his personal Facebook page. It was written by the actor and meant to be shared upon his death.
“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,” the message read.
“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 in the 25th Century was produced by Glen A. Larson and aired on NBC for two seasons. It sought to ride the Star Wars wave of the late Seventies, but employed more camp and comedy — especially where Twiki the jive-talking robot was concerned. (Twiki was voiced by Mel Blanc.)
Rogers was aided in his adventures by the spandex-jumpsuited Col. Wilma Deering (Erin Gray) and the mysterious, feather-headed alien Hawk (Thom Christopher).
BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Gil Gerard, Erin Gray, Twiki, 1979-81. © Universal Television / Courtesy: Everett Collection
The show had its genesis in a made for TV movie of the same name which was released theatrically and did moderately well. The film later served as the series’ pilot.
Gerard worked consistently after playing Buck, mostly in episodic television and indie movies.
He starred as Dr. John Harding in CBS’ short-lived E.A.R.T.H. Force (1990) and had a six-episode arc on Days of Our Lives in 1997. More recently, he starred as Bergen Paulsen opposite Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling in The Nice Guys.
Pre-Buck Rogers, Gerard played Dr. Alan Stewart on more that 300 episodes of NBC’s The Doctors.
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Here is Janet Gerard’s statement in its entirety:
Early this morning Gil – my soulmate – lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer,” wrote his wife. “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. Hold the ones you have tightly and love them fiercely.”
