Gil Gerard passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 82. His wife, Janet Gerard, announced his death through Facebook. The actor battled a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer. The illness progressed rapidly from diagnosis to his passing. Gerard lived in Georgia with his wife of eighteen years.
His wife expressed her grief in a heartfelt statement. She wrote: “Early this morning Gil – my soulmate – lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer.” The progression from knowing something was wrong occurred over days only. Janet added: “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.”
Gil Gerard passed away aged 82
Gerard’s Final Words Emerge
Gerard prepared a statement before his death. Janet shared it on his behalf. “My life has been an incredible adventure,” he said. He recalled key moves in his life. His journey took him from Arkansas to New York. He then headed to Los Angeles. Finally, he settled in North Georgia. He lived there 18 years with Janet. “The chances I’ve encountered, the individuals I’ve met, and the affection I have given and received have rendered my 82 years on this planet profoundly gratifying,” Gerard reflected.
Gerard’s final words on Facebook
A Career Spanning Decades
Gerard created a remarkable legacy in television and film. He began his career in the early nineteen-seventies, appearing in over four hundred commercials. His initial acting training came from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. A cab driver helped him secure an audition for Arthur Hiller’s Love Story filmed in New York. He was cast as an extra but remained on set for approximately ten weeks.
The actor appeared on the NBC soap opera The Doctors from nineteen seventy-three to nineteen seventy-six. He portrayed Alan Stewart, a prisoner of war turned doctor during his tenure. His television credits expanded to include Perry’s on a show in nineteen seventy-four. Gerard also appeared in the series Little House on the Prairie in a later episode. Michael Landon cast him in Stone after his Little House performance. The Stone pilot featured a man rebuilding his life after serving a decade in prison. Though a pilot was produced, the series remained unpicked for television.
The Buck Rogers Breakthrough
Gerard gained international fame portraying Captain William Anthony Buck Rogers. The science fiction series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century premiered on NBC in nineteen seventy-nine. The show ran for two seasons, producing a total of thirty-two episodes before cancellation. The series ended in April nineteen eighty-one after its initial theatrical film release. The nineteen seventy-nine film earned twenty-one million dollars during its theatrical run. The film divided into two parts became the series premiere later that year.
The character originated from Philip Francis Nowlan’s comic strip series. Nowlan created the Buck Rogers character in nineteen twenty-eight for American newspapers. Buster Crabbe portrayed Buck Rogers in a nineteen thirty-nine movie serial as an Olympic swimming champion. The iconic nineteen seventy-nine Buck Rogers film followed the massive success of Star Wars released earlier that year. The series positioned the film as a box office success ranking among the top twenty-five domestic earners.
Initial Hesitation and Eventual Success
Gerard expressed initial reluctance regarding the role in a two thousand eighteen interview. He stated: “I didn’t want to do this campy stuff.” His concerns centred on resemblance to Adam West’s Batman character portrayal. He worried the role represented another cartoon character despite producers’ persuasive efforts. Eventually, Gerard accepted the role and transformed it into something audiences embraced. The character possessed humour and humanity that resonated with viewers worldwide.
Erin Gray starred alongside Gerard as Colonella De. Felix Silla portrayed the robot Twiki in the series. Mel Blanc provided the voice for the beloved robot character. Wilfrid Hyde-White appeared in the cast as well. O’Connor played Elias Huer during the series run. The ensemble cast created chemistry that defined the show’s appeal and longevity.
Gerard with his co-star Erin Gray
Television and Film Work Beyond Buck Rogers
Gerard’s career extended well beyond his iconic science fiction role. He appeared in Help Wanted: Male in nineteen eighty-two alongside actress Suzanne Pleshette. The ABC series Sidekicks featured Gerard training martial arts alongside Ernie Reyes Junior. The show aired from nineteen eighty-six to nineteen eighty-seven on the network. Gerard portrayed a bachelor police officer teaching martial arts to a young boy. His television appearances included E.A.R.T.H. Force and Days of Our Lives.
The actor’s film work demonstrated considerable range and versatility. He played Lee Grant’s romantic interest in Airport Seventy-seven released in nineteen seventy-seven. Gerard starred as a moonshiner in the Appalachia-set comedy Hooch. He created and produced Hooch through his own company, Prudhomme Productions. Gerard admitted the film drew inspiration from Smokey and the Bandit released earlier. The Nice Guys featured Gerard in two thousand sixteen alongside Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe.
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Theatrical and Broader Entertainment Endeavours
Gerard produced a Broadway musical titled Amen Corner in nineteen eighty-three. The production was based on a play written by James Baldwin. The musical featured performer Rhetta Hughes in the cast. His diverse career included appearances in CBS series and comedy productions. He hosted the reality show Code Three in nineteen ninety-two. Gerard played Major Dodd on the NBC soap Days of Our Lives in nineteen ninety-seven.
The actor appeared in the 2007 documentary Action Hero Makeover on Discovery Health Channel. He opted for gastric bypass surgery during the filming of the documentary. Gerard had reached a weight of 250 pounds before the procedure. A nineteen ninety People magazine article estimated overeating cost him approximately one million dollars. The article documented lost opportunities throughout his career due to weight concerns.
Early Life and Background
Gerard was born on January twenty-third, nineteen forty-three in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was one of three sons born to a salesman and a teacher named Gladys. His father worked in sales while his mother taught school professionally. Gerard began his education at Arkansas State Teacher College initially. He chose to leave college and relocated to New York in nineteen sixty-nine. The actor pursued formal training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.
Gerard maintained a long-standing relationship with former United States President Bill Clinton. His personal life included marriage to actress Connie Sellecca, known for Hotel. The couple married in nineteen seventy-nine but divorced in nineteen eighty-seven. He remained married to Janet for eighteen years at his passing. Gerard is survived by his wife of eighteen years, Janet Gerard. He is also survived by their son Gib from his marriage to Sellecca.
