BBC Breakfast presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay delivered a heartfelt on-air tribute on Wednesday morning, sharing the devastating news of the death of American actor Gil Gerard.
On-Air Announcement of a Sci-Fi Legend's Passing
During the broadcast on December 17, the presenting duo informed viewers that the actor, best known for playing the title role in the classic sci-fi series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, had died at the age of 82. Sally Nugent announced the news, stating the actor had passed away following a short illness.
Jon Kay reflected on Gerard's iconic status, noting he was "such a familiar face" who appeared in all 32 episodes of the beloved show as Captain William 'Buck' Rogers. He confirmed the actor died at his home in Georgia, USA, on Tuesday.
A Final Message and a Career Remembered
The personal details were shared by Gerard's wife, Janet, in a poignant Facebook post. She revealed he had "lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer", with the period from diagnosis to his passing being just a matter of days.
She urged others to "Hold the ones you have tightly and love them fiercely." A final statement from Gil Gerard himself was also published, as per his request. In it, he described his life as an "amazing journey" and expressed deep satisfaction with his 82 years.
His career began with advertisements and daytime television, including roles on Another World and The Doctors. His big break came in 1979 when he landed the role of Buck Rogers, a part that propelled him to international fame. The successful film was spun off into a television series that ran for two seasons until 1981.
A Lasting Legacy in Film and Television
Following his star-making turn, Gerard continued to work steadily. His other notable credits included films like Airport '77 and The Nice Guys, as well as popular TV shows such as Little House on the Prairie and the original Hawaii Five-0.
The sombre segment on BBC Breakfast, which also featured regular contributors Carol Kirkwood and Olly Foster, served as a touching reminder of the actor's impact on a generation of viewers, with Sally Nugent reminiscing, "That was a fantastic show... I loved him."
