Who is Gib Gerard? All about Gil Gerard’s only son with actress Connie Sellecca

American actor Gil Gerard, best known for playing the titular role on the NBC show Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, passed away in hospice care after a brief cancer battle in northern Georgia on December 16. He was 82.

His wife of 18 years, Janet Hand Gerard, confirmed the death via a statement released on Facebook.

“Early this morning, Gil - my soulmate - lost his fight with a rare and viciously aggressive form of cancer. From the moment when we knew something was wrong to his death this morning was only days,” Janet wrote.

Janet’s post came with a carousel of images from different phases of Gil Gerard’s life.

“No matter how many years I got to spend with him, it would have never been enough. Hold the ones you have tightly and love them fiercely,” Janet concluded her heartfelt tribute.

Besides his wife, Gil Gerard is also survived by his only child, Gib, 44, whose real name is Gilbert Vincent Gerard. He is an actor, producer, host, public speaker, and writer, according to IMDb.

Gib is the son of Gil Gerard and his third wife, Connie Sellecca, who is a former model, actress, and producer.

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All about Gil Gerard’s only child

Gil Gerard married his third wife, Connie Sellecca, in 1979, after meeting her in Hollywood. Their only child, son Gib Gerard, was born at Cedars-Sinai Hospital on September 1, 1981, in Los Angeles, California.

However, the marriage became contentious when Buck Rogers in the 25th Century was cancelled, and Gil Gerard found respite in drugs, alcohol, and junk food.

Soon, the couple separated and their marriage was dissolved in 1987. Connie Sellecca got primary custody of their son.

Later, Sellecca met musician, radio presenter, and Entertainment Tonight co-host John Tesh at a Palm Springs hotel gym and walked down the aisle with him a year later in April 1992. They have a daughter named Prima, 31. She is now an actress recognized for her 2019 role in What’s Up North.

As an actor-producer, Gib Gerard has worked in the movies Currency Rising (2011), Discarded (2013), and Desecrated (2015). His other appearances include the films 13 Fanboy, Deadly Daughter Switch, and Love Accidentally.

While pianist/ composer John Tesh is his stepfather, Prima Tesh is his half-sibling. Gib Gerard has been a co-host on the program Intelligence on Your Life by the TeshMedia Group since May 2013. He has also served as the company’s webmaster and director of marketing/ licensing.

He began acting and writing screenplays in 2005. A few of Gib’s lesser-known projects include All About Christmas Eve and God’s Country.

Gil Gerard’s only son attended both Colby College and Westmont College. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.

According to Gib’s Instagram, he also identifies as a comedian and rapper.

On New Year’s Eve 1994, Connie Sellecca sat down with the Chicago Tribune to promote her ABC holiday movie A Dangerous Affair and also spoke about her two marriages.

About Gil Gerard, the model-actress noted:

“I have definitely been taken in by a man’s courtship and the whirlwind feelings, only to find it was wrong. That was my first husband, Gil Gerard.”

Meanwhile, Sellecca spoke highly of her second husband, John Tesh, 73.

“It’s a wonderful marriage, but I give John all the credit. He says that before he met me, he was the crazy one, but now he realizes there’s no room for him to be crazy in this family, because I am,” Connie quipped.

In the same interview, she gave a glimpse of her motherhood and juggling it with her career.

Connie Sellecca and John Tesh had appeared for the cover of PEOPLE Magazine ahead of their 1992 wedding. Speaking with the outlet last month, Sellecca said she primarily married Tesh to be a “good role model” to her son.

Notably, John Tesh himself was married to actress Julie Wright between 1982 and 1991. He battled stage III prostate cancer in 2015 but has since been in remission.

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Gib Gerard hasn’t issued a public statement in the wake of his father’s recent demise.

Meanwhile, Gil Gerard has left behind a message that was shared on his Facebook page by his wife.

“This is Janet Gerard, Gil’s wife. Just to clarify - I was by his side when my husband passed away this morning in hospice care. Below is the message he left: If you are reading this, then Janet has posted it as I asked her to,” the post began.

The Sidekicks star added:

“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. My journey has taken me from Arkansas to New York to Los Angeles, and finally, to my home in North Georgia with my amazing wife, Janet, of 18 years.”

Gerard ended his message saying it’s been a “great ride” but it was time for it to “close.” He also urged people to not waste their time or effort on things that didn’t “thrill you or bring you love,” and that he would see everyone out in the “cosmos.”