Gil Gerard, Star of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Dies at 82

A television icon whose career spanned decades, Gerard leaves behind a lasting sci-fi legacy

Gil Gerard, the charismatic actor best known for the title role of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, died early yesterday morning after a brief battle with cancer. He was 82. Gerard passed away in hospice care with his wife, Janet Gerard, at his side. The news was confirmed by Janet, who shared the announcement on social media.

Following the news of his death, Janet also posted a message to her husband's personal Facebook page, words written by the actor himself and intended to be shared upon his passing. In the note, Gerard reflected on a life he clearly felt had been well lived. “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,” the message read. He concluded by saying, “Don't waste your time on anything that doesn't thrill you or bring you love. See you out somewhere in the cosmos.”

Gerard rose to pop-culture fame as Captain William “Buck” Rogers in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, the NBC sci-fi adventure series that aired for two seasons in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Produced by Glen A. Larson, the show capitalized on the post-Star Wars appetite for futuristic storytelling, blending space opera with humor and a knowing sense of camp. Gerard's Buck, a 20th-century astronaut awakened in a distant future, became a television icon, anchoring the series with wit, swagger, and an everyman relatability that endeared him to audiences.

The show featured a memorable ensemble, including Erin Gray as the spandex-clad Col. Wilma Deering and Thom Christopher as the enigmatic alien Hawk. One of its most beloved elements was Twiki, the jive-talking robot voiced by animation legend Mel Blanc. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century originated as a made-for-television movie of the same name, which received a theatrical release and performed solidly at the box office before serving as the pilot for the weekly series.

While Buck Rogers defined Gerard's public image, his acting career spanned decades and genres. Before donning the space suit, he played Dr. Alan Stewart on NBC's daytime drama The Doctors, appearing in more than 300 episodes and establishing himself as a reliable presence on television. After Buck Rogers, Gerard continued to work steadily, taking on guest roles across episodic television and appearing in independent films.

His later credits included starring as Dr. John Harding in CBS' short-lived sci-fi series E.A.R.T.H. Force in 1990 and a six-episode arc on Days of Our Lives in 1997. In more recent years, Gerard appeared as Bergen Paulsen in Shane Black's neo-noir comedy The Nice Guys, sharing the screen with Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling.

In her full statement, Janet Gerard spoke movingly about the speed and severity of her husband's illness and the depth of their bond. “Early this morning, Gil , my soulmate, lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer,” she wrote. “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 never been enough. Hold the ones you have tightly and love them fiercely.”