Who was Gil Gerard married to? All about family as Buck Rogers’ star dies at 82

Arkansas-born actor Gil Gerard died in hospice care from an “aggressive form of cancer” at his home in northern Georgia on December 16. He was 82. Gil was surrounded by his wife, Janet Hand Gerard, at the time of his demise. Later, she announced the death via a Facebook post on Tuesday.

“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.

The post was accompanied by a few images of Gil Gerard from over the years. It ended with the words:

“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 Hand Gerard is a jewellery and watch designer who owns/ runs the brand Rayguns & Rust.

Janet and Gil Gerard did not share any children. However, the Buck Rogers in the 25th Century star is survived by his only child, son, Gib, from his marriage to actress, producer, and former model Connie Sellecca.

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All you need to know about Gil Gerard’s family

Gil Gerard was born on January 23, 1943, in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he grew up with two older brothers. His parents were Frank and Gladys, who were a knife salesman and a teacher, respectively.

The late actor had been married five times. His first marriage to Arkansas secretary Connie Jean McVay spanned eight months in the 1960s. Later, Gerard tied the knot with banker Constance Elizabeth Gerkin after moving to New York to pursue his acting career. The marriage was on and off and ended after seven years in 1977.

Gil Gerard relocated to Los Angeles in the late 1970s, where he met his third wife, Connie Sellecca. They walked down the aisle in 1979, and their son Gilbert Vincent Gerard, aka Gib, was born in 1981.

However, the marriage became rocky when Gil’s NBC show, where he played the role of William “Buck” Rogers, was cancelled, and he resorted to drugs and alcohol. The divorce and custody battle were resolved in 1987.

Connie Sellecca, 70, is best known for her 1987 Golden Globe-nominated role in the ABC soap opera Hotel, as well as other television series, including Flying High and The Greatest American Hero. The New Yorker later married pianist, composer, radio presenter, and Entertainment Tonight co-host John Tesh. They share a daughter named Prima, 31.

During a December 1994 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Sellecca spoke about her first husband.

“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.”

Gib, 44, is also an actor like his parents and has appeared in the projects Love Accidentally, 13 Fanboy, and Deadly Daughter Switch.

Gil Gerard was also married to interior designer Bobi Leonard for a year before he crossed paths with Janet Hand and settled with her in Georgia. The couple were together until Gil’s recent demise.

In fact, Janet was at “his side” when he passed away, according to a message posted on the actor’s Facebook page.

“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.

It continued:

“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. It’s been a great ride, but inevitably one that comes to a close as mine has.”

Gil Gerard, in his message beyond the grave, urged his fans and followers not to waste their time on anything that didn’t “thrill you or bring you love.” He ended on a note:

“See you out somewhere in the cosmos.”

Janet Hand Gerard’s business, Rayguns & Rust, sells on Etsy. Its X bio reads:

“Janet Gerard - I design fandom-inspired jewellery, paint Dragons, skulls & other things, ret Navy & self-educating student of living with intention.”

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Besides his role as Buck Rogers, Gil Gerard was also known for playing Dr Alan Stewart on the daytime television drama The Doctors for over 300 episodes across three years in the 1970s. Other credits include the CBS series E.A.R.T.H FORCE and Sidekicks and the movies Not Just Another Affair, Hear No Evil, Johnny Blue, and Stormin' Home, among others.