A slice of a lot of people’s childhood passed away. Gil Gerard has died. The star of the TV show, Buck Rogers was 82. Evidently, he had prepared a statement in the event of his passing and it’s a testament to a wonderful life.
Like most people of a certain TV viewing age, Gil Gerard was Buck Rogers. That was just who he was. And now, knowing more about how the Hollywood machine works and knowing that Gerard never shied away for being known as Buck Rogers makes him that much cooler. Lots of Sci Fi actors tried to run screaming from the roles they were known for on TV, but not Gil Gerard. Dude owned it. Class move, all the way.
Now, was Buck Rogers a good show? I’ll say this: It was what it was. Can you make a Star Wars show for tv in 1979? Of course not. You’re insane for even trying. But they did try. And as far as Sci Fi for TV goes in that era? They did just fine for 1979.
TV executives had no clue why Star Wars was popular. They had to think it was just because of spaceships and laser guns. Oof. (Disney is still caught in this trap btw) So the Buck Rogers show was all over the board when it came to tone. They didn’t know what the show was about. It had no center. Which meant everything landed squarely on the shoulders of the stars. Gil Gerard had his work cut out for him and he did incredibly well. As did his costars.
It was the 70’s. I’m sure the network was just ‘Throw some hot babes wearing sexy outfits in there. The people will watch’. Well, they weren’t entirely wrong.
And any actor who had a deal with the network? Squeeze them in the show too.
At least, along with the hotties, the ships were cool AF.
RIP Gil Gerard AKA Buck Rogers. You were great. Thank you for the great memories.
I was so sad to see that Gil Gerard passed away. I loved Buck Rogers In The 25th Century. It was a great show for sci fi fans. Gil Gerard and the rest of the cast did a terrific job. He relished his role and the diehard fans loved him for it. He had a wicked sense of humor and he would appear on Howard Stern’s show from time to time. It was a blast. My friend had a mad crush on Erin Gray and somehow he got the number to the studio soundstage and actually talked to her for 15 minutes while they were on a break. Every guy’s dream. Sadly, we now say goodbye to our Buck Rogers. RIP Gil. Enjoy the Cosmos.
Wow! Your friend is a champ! Getting a convo in with Erin Gray! Dayum. That’s some high quality goodness! I too was smitten by here. And a big fan of the show! It’s a bummer about Gil but what a class act!