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The year is 1987 and NASA launches the last of America’s deep space probes. In a freak mishap Ranger 3 and its pilot, Captain William “Buck” Rogers, are blown out of their trajectory into an orbit which freezes his life support systems, and returns Buck Rogers to Earth ... 500 years later.
Come on say it. Say it. “Beedy. Beedy. Beedy. Howdee Buck!”
If ever there was a more stupid looking robot than Twiki in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century then we’ve yet to see it, (well, okay maybe Metal Mickey and the robot dog in Battlestar Galactica). But his naffness was over-shadowed by one of the genuine heroes of our childhood – Buck Rogers. That hamburger-chomping, skirt-chasing kicker of alien butt. I, for one, am not ashamed to stand up and say I tuned in every week to see Buck Rogers – to see Gil Gerard.
He was a hero. But where is he now? I decided to put on my hat and go looking. And there were a few surprises along the way ...
The first one was that Gil Gerard is actually Gilbert Vincent Gerard. Gilbert! That’s not a hero’s name. But then what sort of name is Twiki for a robot?
Gil(bert) Gerard was born on 23 January 1943 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and did a good deal of acting in high school. He attended the University of Arkansas, but dropped out before graduation. And thank God he did, because if he hadn’t Buck Rogers might’ve been vice-president of a large chemical company rather than saviour of the world.
You see, Gil landed a job as an industrial chemist out of university and quickly became regional manager of a large chemical company. His boss wanted to make him vice-president but only if he went for his master’s degree. Gil quit rather than tell everyone that he didn’t have a college diploma.
So off he went to New York where he studied drama by day and drove a cab by night. It was while driving a cab that Gil picked up a fare who got him a job as a “bit role” in the movie Love Story. But don’t go renting Love Story and looking for him just yet because, sadly, his part wound up on the cutting room floor. But he now had his first professional credit.
During the next few years, he did most of his acting in television commercials – 400 of them!
Then came a leading role in the daytime TV series, The Doctors. After that he performed the delicate operation of setting up his own production company which made Hooch; a starring vehicle for himself.
A review of Hooch can be found on the internet movie database care of Rebecca from Wolverhampton, in England. She writes:
“This is Gil’s movie, produced, co-written and the star. It’s an okay film. It’s fun, a bit Dukes of Hazzard really but this came first. This is where it all started for Gil (sort of) and I think he did well!) There is more to Gil than just Buck Rogers!”
Indeed. There is also a fan website dedicated to Buck Rogers and Gil Gerard which is run by a Rebecca. I wonder if it’s the same Rebecca or maybe Gil just has a powerful effect on women named Rebecca? I decided to contact the fansite Rebecca and she had this to say: “Sci-fi has always had a great following and Buck Rogers was the original space hero and there are many ‘Buck’ fans out there (including me).
“Last year, Gil was told about my web-site – he may have been a little disturbed by it – but he still asked me to change it’s status to Official.
The fans are important to him and the fans appreciate meeting him, he’s quite funny, he likes a laugh and a joke.”
In recent years, Gil’s kept himself very busy appearing in B-grade movies but nothing of any real worth. The last movie I can find him starring in is something called Air Rage. “Altitude Gets Attitude!” He’s put on some weight (well, a lot of weight), and it’s hard to recognise him as the hero from our youth. But he is still a hero in many other ways.
These days Gil runs his own company, Prudhomme Productions, and enjoys directing and producing more than being in front of the camera. His interests are Special Olympics, working with Los Angeles Mission (an organisation that helps the homeless), and he takes part in the Hack-N-Smack celebrity golf tournemant that supports melanoma research. It’s not saving the galaxy but it’s still saving lives. As uberfan Rebbeca puts it :“I think Gil has more to do, whether it be on screen or maybe behind the scenes producing. Who knows what the future may hold.”
Beedy. Beedy. Beedy. Way to go Buck!
Nick Ward
We spoke with Gil Gerard:
What food did/do they eat in the 25th Century?
Anything they can find. Our writers suggested that people would simply pop a pill in their mouths and meals would be done with.
How easy was it for Buck Rogers to be himself in the 25th Century, what behaviour did he have to modify?
Buck had to be himself he had no societal conditioning to be anyone else. This was what made him unique in that time.
What currency did they use in the 25th Century?
I think barter was a good form of currency in the 25th Century. Actually, I don’t think the subject ever came up.
What was your favourite thing about the 25th Century?
The women!!! Especially Colonel Deering!!!
What was your most dreaded thing about the 25th Century?
Cancellation!!!
What top three tips would you give people to prepare for the 25th Century?
Dress warmly, don’t take any day trips to Anarchia and watch out for little robots that vibrate.
What are the best paying jobs to have in the 25th Century?
Government work (any branch)!
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