Gil Gerard, widely recognized for his portrayal of Buck Rogers in both the film and television series of the same name, has died at the age of 82. His wife, Janet, confirmed the news in a Facebook post. After a long battle with cancer, Gerard also left behind a personal message written before his passing, which was shared following his death.
Gil Gerard passed away at 82. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1943, he rose to prominence as the title character in the science-fiction series *Buck Rogers in the 25th Century*, which aired on NBC from 1979 to 1981 and made him a household name.
Janet announced through Facebook that Gil died on Tuesday, December 16, after fighting cancer. In her emotional post, she wrote that he succumbed to a rare and highly aggressive form of the disease only days after doctors realized something was seriously wrong.
“Early this morning Gil — my soulmate — lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer. From the moment 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 never been enough. Hold the ones you have tightly and love them fiercely,” Janet shared.
Gerard’s signature role, Buck Rogers, was based on the classic comic strip character famously portrayed by Olympic swimmer Buster Crabbe in a 1939 movie serial. The character was reintroduced in a 1979 film released shortly after *Star Wars* captivated audiences worldwide.
Initially, Gerard was hesitant to accept the role. In a 2018 interview, he admitted that he feared the part could limit his career, referencing Adam West’s experience after *Batman*. He explained that he was wary of taking on another character he viewed as overly campy.
Despite his reservations, Gerard ultimately agreed to star in the film — a decision that proved successful. *Buck Rogers* became a major box-office hit, ranking among the top 25 highest-grossing films in the United States that year.
Later in 1979, the television series *Buck Rogers in the 25th Century* premiered, using the film as its pilot episode. The show ran for 32 episodes before being canceled in April 1981.
Following *Buck Rogers*, Gerard continued working steadily in television, appearing in series such as *Help Wanted: Male* in 1982, as well as *Sidekicks*, *E.A.R.T.H. FORCE*, and *Days of Our Lives*. His later film credits included *Space Captain and Callista* and *The Nice Guys*.
After news of his death became public on Tuesday night, a final message from Gil Gerard appeared on his Facebook page. The statement had been written by Gerard prior to his passing and was shared at his request.
Janet introduced the post by writing, “I was by his side when my husband passed away this morning in hospice care. Below is the message he left.”
In his farewell words, Gerard reflected on his life with gratitude, describing it as an extraordinary journey filled with meaningful experiences, lasting relationships, and deep love. He spoke of traveling from Arkansas to New York, then Los Angeles, and ultimately settling in North Georgia with Janet, his wife of 18 years.
He concluded by encouraging others not to waste time on anything that fails to bring joy or love, ending his message with a poetic goodbye: “See you out somewhere in the cosmos.”
Gil Gerard is remembered not only for his iconic role as Buck Rogers but also for the warmth and gratitude he expressed in his final words. His legacy continues through his work and the memories shared by fans around the world.