Actor Gil Gerard, the rugged hero who brought Buck Rogers to the 25th century, passed away Tuesday in hospice at the age of 82.
A Life in the Spotlight
Gerard’s career spanned more than five decades, beginning with a 1939 film serial and a 1950s television show. He later appeared in television commercials and a variety of TV shows and movies. In 1982 he starred in the TV movie “Hear No Evil” as a character named Dragon, and in 1986 he was part of the short-lived series “Sidekicks.”
In 1992 he hosted the reality series “Code 3,” which followed firefighters responding to emergency calls across the United States. Throughout the 1990s he made guest appearances on shows such as “Days of Our Lives.”
The ‘Buck Rogers’ Legacy
Gerard’s most iconic role came in 1979 when he joined NBC’s campy “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,” a show that ran for two seasons until 1981. The series was based on Philip Francis Nowlan’s 1928 pulp novella “Armageddon 2419 A.D.” and had originally featured a character named Anthony Rogers. The name was changed to Buck Rogers when the story began running as a comic strip.
In the television narrative, Buck Rogers was a NASA pilot frozen in a meteor storm, waking 500 years later in the year 2491 to find a domed Earth under threat from aliens, space pilots, and the evil Draconians. He was aided by a robot sidekick named Twiki and a space pilot, Wilma Deering, portrayed by Erin Gray.
The series also spawned a theatrical film that delighted both youngsters and their parents, further cementing Gerard’s place in science-fiction history.
Personal Journey and Challenges
Gerard was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and his early career included steady work in television commercials. Over the years he faced significant personal challenges, openly discussing addictions to drugs, alcohol, and compulsive overeating.
In 2007 a one-hour documentary titled “Action Hero Makeover” aired, following Gerard after his weight had ballooned to 350 pounds. The film, produced for the Discovery Health Channel by Adrienne Crow-then a longtime companion-documented his progress after undergoing gastric bypass surgery.
Despite these hardships, Gerard remained a devoted actor, returning to the Buck Rogers universe in 2007 for the TV film “Nuclear Hurricane” alongside Erin Gray. In 2009 they appeared again as Buck Rogers’ parents in the pilot episode of James Cawley’s internet video series “Buck Rogers Begins.”
Family and Relationships
Gerard married and divorced four times before he wed his wife, Janet. He had a son, actor Gilbert Vincent Gerard, with model and actress Connie Sellecca. Their divorce included a bitter custody battle for their son, born in 1981, and Sellecca was granted main custody.
After many years, Gerard settled in North Georgia, where he lived with Janet for 18 years. He often reflected on his journey, stating, “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.”
Final Reflections
On the day of his passing, Gerard’s manager Tina Presley Borek confirmed that he had died in hospice from a rare, aggressive form of cancer. Janet posted a posthumous Facebook message that read, “Don’t waste your time on anything that doesn’t thrill you or bring you love. See you out somewhere in the cosmos.”
Gerard had previously shared his thoughts on social media, writing, “My life has been an amazing journey,” and following that, “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.”
In a final statement, he added, “It’s been a great ride, but inevitably one that comes to a close as mine has.”
Key Takeaways
- Gil Gerard, known for his role as Buck Rogers, died at 82 after a battle with a rare aggressive cancer.
- His career included notable roles in “Hear No Evil,” “Sidekicks,” “Code 3,” and the Buck Rogers franchise.
- Gerard faced personal struggles with addiction and weight, publicly addressed them, and documented his recovery.
Gerard’s legacy as a science-fiction icon and his candid openness about personal challenges will continue to resonate with fans and fellow actors alike.
