Gil Gerard, the actor who became a household name for his iconic role in the sci-fi television series 'Buck Rogers in the 25th Century', has passed away. He was 82 years old. The veteran actor died on Tuesday, December 16, while in hospice care, succumbing to a rare and aggressively spreading form of cancer, as confirmed by his manager, Tina Presley Borek.
A Final Cosmic Message from the Star
In a poignant farewell shared posthumously by his wife, Janet Gerard, Gil Gerard left a message for his fans. He urged people to cherish what truly matters, stating, "Don’t waste your time on anything that doesn't thrill you or bring you love. See you out somewhere in the cosmos." This heartfelt note reflects the spirit of the man who captured imaginations as a space-faring hero.
Gerard spent his final years in North Georgia with his fifth wife, Janet, to whom he was married for 18 years. In his final message, he expressed deep satisfaction with his life's journey, mentioning his move from Arkansas to New York, then to Los Angeles, and finally finding a home with his "amazing wife, Janet."
Gil Gerard's Journey Through Love and Marriage
Beyond his on-screen persona, Gil Gerard's personal life, marked by his search for lasting love, was equally notable. He was married five times. His first marriage in the 1960s in Arkansas to a secretary lasted a brief eight months. After moving to New York City to pursue acting, he met and married a bank executive. This second relationship spanned seven years on and off before ending in divorce. The names of his first two wives are not publicly known.
Seeking greater opportunities, Gerard relocated to Los Angeles in the late 1970s. There, in 1979, he married actress and model Connie Sellecca. The couple was deeply in love and welcomed a son, Gilbert "Gib" Vincent Gerard, in 1981. This period coincided with the cancellation of 'Buck Rogers' and Gerard's subsequent struggles with substance abuse. The marriage ended in divorce in 1987, with Sellecca receiving primary custody of their son.
Undeterred in his quest for companionship, Gerard married interior designer Bobi Leonard later in 1987. However, this union lasted only a year. His search for a lasting partnership finally culminated in 2001 when he married Janet Gerard, the owner and designer of Rayguns & Rust. She remained his devoted partner until his passing.
A Heartbreaking Farewell from His Wife
Janet Gerard shared a moving tribute on social media following her husband's death. She revealed the swift and brutal nature of his illness, writing, "Early this morning Gil – my soulmate – lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer. From the moment we knew something was wrong to his death this morning was only days."
She added, "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." Janet confirmed she was by his side when he passed away in hospice care.
Gil Gerard's death marks the end of an era for 1970s television sci-fi, leaving behind a legacy defined by a single iconic role and a life lived with relentless passion, both on-screen and off.
