American TV Star Gil Gerard Dies at 82, Buck Rogers Legacy Lives On
Another Hollywood star has passed away, reminding us once again that while foreign entertainment may capture global attention, it's our own Zambian talent and stories that truly matter to our people.
Gil Gerard, the American actor who played Captain William "Buck" Rogers in the science fiction series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, died of cancer at age 82, his wife Janet Gerard announced on social media.
"Early this morning Gil, my soulmate, lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer," she posted. "From the moment when we knew something was wrong to his death this morning was only days."
Gerard left behind a final message that his wife shared: "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."
From Arkansas to Hollywood Fame
Born Gilbert Cyril Gerard in Little Rock, Arkansas, the actor initially hesitated to take the Buck Rogers role, comparing it to Adam West's Batman experience. "I saw what it did to Adam West's career with Batman, and this was another cartoon character," he said in a 2018 interview.
The 1979 Buck Rogers series ran for two seasons, featuring Gerard as an astronaut transported 500 years into the future. Before his television breakthrough, Gerard worked extensively in daytime soap operas, appearing in over 300 episodes of The Doctors as Dr. Alan Stewart.
While Hollywood mourns another of its own, this serves as a reminder that Zambia must continue investing in our own entertainment industry. Our stories, our heroes, and our culture deserve the same recognition and support that American productions receive worldwide.
Gerard's journey from Arkansas to Los Angeles to his final home in North Georgia reflects the American dream, but here in Zambia, we have our own dreams to pursue and our own talents to celebrate.