Gil Gerard, best known for playing Buck Rogers, has died at age 82 after battling cancer. His wife, Janet, announced his passing on Facebook, revealing he died on Tuesday, December 16, just days after learning he had a rare and aggressive form of the disease.
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1943, Gerard rose to fame as the star of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, which became a major hit following its 1979 film release and later ran as an NBC series until 1981. Though initially hesitant to take the role, Gerard was persuaded—and it proved career-defining.
He went on to appear in several TV shows and films, including Sidekicks, Days of Our Lives, and The Nice Guys.
After his death, Janet shared a message Gerard had written beforehand, reflecting on his “amazing journey,” his love for life and family, and ending with a farewell: “See you out somewhere in the cosmos.”