Gil Gerard

Gilbert C. Gerard (January 23, 1943 – December 16, 2025) was an American actor, known for his role as Captain William "Buck" Rogers in the 1979–81 television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.

Gerard was employed as an industrial chemist, and within a few years he became regional manager of the chemical company headed by governor Winthrop Rockefeller. Gerard's employers said they would appoint him as vice president if he undertook a master's degree, so he resigned rather than explain that he did not have a bachelor's degree.

He then went to New York City where he studied drama by day and drove a taxicab at night. Gerard picked up a fare who showed an interest in the problems of unknown, unemployed actors. He told Gerard to report in a few days to the set of Love Story, which was being filmed on location in New York. When Gerard arrived on the Love Story set, he was hired as an extra. Later that day, he was singled out for a "bit" role, but his role was not included in the finished film.

During the next few years, he did most of his acting in 400 television commercials, including a stint as spokesman for the Ford Motor Company. After small roles in Some of My Best Friends Are..., and Man on a Swing, Gerard gained a prominent role in the daytime soap opera, The Doctors. Gerard formed his own production company in partnership with a writer-producer, co-authored a screenplay called Hooch and filmed it as a starring vehicle for himself. With Hooch completed, he appeared in Ransom for Alice! and Universal's Airport '77. A guest appearance on Little House on the Prairie impressed producer-star Michael Landon, who cast him in the leading role in the 1978 TV movie Killing Stone.