Gil Gerard, best known to pop culture audiences as Buck Rogers, also left a lasting mark on daytime television. The actor died Tuesday at age 82 after a brief battle with an aggressive form of cancer, his wife Janet announced in a Facebook post. While his sci-fi fame often takes center stage, Gerard’s work in soaps — particularly The Doctors — remains a meaningful part of his legacy for longtime daytime fans.
Key Takeaways
- Gil Gerard portrayed Dr. Alan Stewart on The Doctors from 1973 to 1976.
- He later appeared on Days of our Lives as Major Dodd in 1997.
- Gerard balanced daytime drama with a wide-ranging TV career that spanned decades.
A Memorable Run on The Doctors
Before becoming a household name in primetime, Gerard was a familiar face to soap viewers as Dr. Alan Stewart on The Doctors. He joined the NBC daytime drama in 1973 and remained with the series until 1976, a period when the show was known for its socially conscious storytelling and emotionally grounded characters.
As Dr. Stewart, Gerard played a confident, capable physician whose storylines fit squarely within the show’s medical and personal drama. The Doctors was a soap that leaned heavily into ethical dilemmas and human relationships, and Gerard’s steady presence helped anchor those themes during his tenure. For many fans, this role marked their first introduction to the actor long before Buck Rogers launched him into genre stardom.
From Daytime to Genre Fame — and Back Again
Gerard’s career took a sharp turn in 1979 when he starred in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, first in a successful film and then in an NBC television series that ran for two seasons. The role made him an instant pop culture icon, but it didn’t erase his soap roots.
In 1997, Gerard returned to daytime television with an appearance on Days of our Lives, where he played Major Dodd. Though a smaller role, it was a notable moment for soap fans who remembered his earlier work. His appearance served as a reminder of the strong pipeline between daytime drama and primetime television — a path many actors of his era traveled.
A Career Built on Television Storytelling
Beyond soaps and science fiction, Gerard built a career defined by television. He starred in the 1980s series Sidekicks and made guest appearances across a wide range of shows, including Drop Dead Diva and Star Trek: New Voyages. His adaptability allowed him to move easily between genres, from grounded drama to action and fantasy.
Gerard’s wife shared that he reflected on his life as “an amazing journey,” expressing gratitude for the work he did and the people he met along the way. For soap fans, that journey includes a meaningful chapter in daytime television history.
Remembering a Soap-Era Standout
While Buck Rogers may headline his obituary, Gil Gerard’s contributions to soaps like The Doctors and Days of our Lives remain an important part of his career. His work helped shape the fabric of daytime drama during a formative era, leaving behind performances that longtime viewers still remember.
Soap Hub sends its deepest condolences to his wife, family, co-stars, friends, and fans during this difficult time.
