‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century’ Star, Gil Gerard, Dies at 82 After Cancer Battle

His wife, Janet Gerard, said the actor died while in hospice care on Dec. 16.

Actor Gil Gerard poses in Los Angeles on July 16, 1990. Reed Saxon/AP Photo

Actor Gil Gerard, best known for his role as Captain William “Buck” Rogers in the 1970s film and television franchise by the same name, has died at 82 years old.

Gerard died on Dec. 16 while in hospice care for an aggressive form of cancer, his wife, Janet Gerard, confirmed in a social media post.

“Early this morning Gil—my soulmate—lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer,” Janet wrote on Facebook. “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.”

Gerard penned a message of his own for fans, posted posthumously to his personal Facebook page by Janet on his behalf.

“If you are reading this, then Janet has posted it as I asked her to,” the message begins. “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.”

“My journey has taken me from Arkansas to New York to Los Angeles, and finally, to my home in North Georgia with my amazing wife, Janet, of 18 years,” the post continued.

“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.”

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Gerard kick-started his entertainment career when he moved to New York in 1969, where he starred in more than 400 television commercials, including for popular names like Coca-Cola and Campbell’s Soup.

Gerard rose to fame in 1979 with the sci-fi film “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,” after which he also starred in the NBC series by the same name for two seasons from 1979 to 1981.

He went on to hold numerous television and feature film roles throughout his decades-long career, including the made-for-TV film “Hear No Evil” in 1982, the short-lived “Sidekicks” in 1986, and “Nuclear Hurricane” in 2007, among others.

Beyond acting, Gerard was involved in many philanthropic causes, including serving on the board of People in Progress, which seeks to provide affordable and safe housing for the homeless in Los Angeles.

For 30 years, he was involved with the Special Olympics, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and he hosted golf tournaments for charitable donations for the Down Syndrome Foundation.

Gerard is survived by his wife Janet and son from a previous marriage, Gib Gerard, who is also an actor.