By Peter.
Actor Gil Gerard, best known for his iconic portrayal of Captain William “Buck” Rogers in the late-1970s sci-fi adventure series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, has passed away at the age of 82.
His wife of 18 years, Janet Gerard, confirmed the sad news in an emotional Facebook post on Tuesday night, December 16, 2025. “Early this morning Gil – my soulmate – lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer,” she wrote. “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 never have been enough. Hold the ones you have tightly and love them fiercely.”
The Arkansas-born actor rose to fame with the 1979 theatrical release of the Buck Rogers pilot film, which earned $21 million domestically and spawned the NBC television series that aired for two seasons (1979–1981). Gerard’s charismatic performance as the time-displaced astronaut thawed in the year 2491 captivated audiences during the post-Star Wars sci-fi boom.
Throughout his career, Gerard appeared in projects such as E.A.R.T.H. Force, The Nice Guys, and the daytime soap Days of Our Lives, along with numerous guest roles and films.
In a poignant pre-written statement shared by Janet after his passing, Gerard reflected on his life: “If you are reading this, then Janet has posted it as I asked her to. 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… It’s been a great ride, but inevitably one that comes to a close as mine has. Don’t waste your time on anything that doesn’t thrill you or bring you love. See you out somewhere in the cosmos.”
Gerard is survived by his wife Janet and leaves behind a legacy cherished by generations of science fiction fans.
#RIPGilGerard #BuckRogers #SciFiLegend #GilGerard #InMemoriam #ClassicTV #RestInPeace
