Gil Gerard, the actor best known as the face of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, has died at 82 after a battle with a rare, aggressive cancer. News of his death began circulating Tuesday, and was later confirmed through statements attributed to his family and representatives.
For many TV fans, Gerard will always be Buck, the square jawed NASA pilot who wakes up centuries later and becomes an unlikely hero in a shiny, optimistic future. The show arrived at exactly the right moment in pop culture, when science fiction was booming and audiences wanted adventure that did not take itself too seriously.
Gil Gerard death confirmed, with family message shared online
According to reporting by The Associated Press on Gerard’s passing, Gerard died in hospice care after his cancer worsened. His wife, Janet Gerard, also shared a message written for fans that included a simple line that quickly spread across social media: “See you out somewhere in the cosmos.”
A Facebook post published to a page associated with Gerard also described Janet being at his side when he died.
Why Buck Rogers still matters to fans
Gerard starred in NBC’s Buck Rogers in the 25th Century from 1979 to 1981, after a theatrical film helped introduce the character to a new generation. The premise was classic pulp science fiction, updated with late 1970s style and a wink of humor.
The series also became memorable because of its supporting cast and visuals, including the robot sidekick Twiki and Erin Gray’s Wilma Deering. Decades later, the show still plays well for viewers who miss the era of weekly adventure TV that felt fun, fast, and unapologetically imaginative.
If you are revisiting the series now, Gerard’s IMDb page is a quick way to track his episodes and other credits across film and television.
Career highlights beyond the sci-fi spotlight
Even at the height of Buck Rogers fame, Gerard kept working across TV formats. As noted in the AP report, he appeared in TV movies, took on other series roles, and later hosted Code 3, which followed firefighters responding to emergencies.
In later years, Gerard also reunited with Erin Gray on projects that nodded to the Buck legacy, a reminder that the show’s fanbase never really disappeared. It simply moved to conventions, reruns, and online communities.
His personal struggles were part of the public story too
Gerard spoke openly over the years about addiction and health issues, and he did not try to polish that history away. That candor is part of why tributes have emphasized not just his most famous role, but the fact that he kept showing up, kept working, and kept engaging with fans even when the spotlight was not as bright.
For readers following more entertainment tributes this week, you may also want to bookmark our ongoing coverage here: “Steve Bridges Death”.
What happens next
No detailed funeral plans have been widely published as of Wednesday afternoon. Expect more information to emerge in the coming days, especially as colleagues and co-stars share personal memories and as official arrangements are finalized.
Fans looking to honor Gerard’s legacy are already doing what Buck Rogers always inspired: revisiting the show, sharing favorite scenes, and passing the character on to people who never saw it the first time around.