Gil Gerard is most know for his role Capt. William “Buck” Rogers in “Buck Rogers in the 25h Century”. The show is still loved by fans everywhere even after 30 years. Movie Mikes had a chance to chat with Gil about his role in the show and his upcoming projects.
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Mike Gencarelli: How did you get the role of Capt. William Rogers in “Buck Rogers in the 25h Century”?
Gil Gerard: I received the opportunity and turned it down three times. Finally my agent told me to read the script. I read it and it was pretty great. So, I decided to do it. I turned it down because I didn’t want to do a cartoon character. I have seen the old Batman series and didn’t want to that type of show. “Buck Rogers” was based on a cartoon. I thought that Buck had a great sense of humanity and a great sense of humor. That is what attracted me to the role.
MG: Have you ever seen any of the original television show or movie back in the 30’s?
GG: Yeah, I saw it when I was a kid. I preferred the westerns to the serials. I watched “Buck Rogers” and I also saw “Flash Gordon”. I got to tell you it was pleasure to meet Buster (Crabbe) when he guest starred on the show. We became great friends and remained friend until he died.
MG: Do you have a favorite episode from the series?
GG: Yes, it from my least favorite year…which is the second. I liked ‘The Satyr’. It gave me a chance to do some character acting. It also reminded me of what I would have like the show to do for season two. Which was basically stay on Earth and have adventures on Earth.
MG: 30 years ago, did you have any idea that this show will still be holding on with fans?
GG: No, If I did I would have saved all the props and wardrobes. I could have had all that stuff. It was just a job for me. I did it, the show ended and I did other things. It is amazing that after 30 years people still remember and love the show. It is incredible.
MG: Did you get to keep any of the props?
GG: I did. I have the star fighter from all of the fight scenes. It was the Buck Rogers’ star fighter. I have it here in my house.
MG: You have you blog and you frequent the convention scene, do you enjoy keeping in touch with fans at conventions?
GG: Yes very much. It is very gratifying that people still remember it and it is a really nice things. I enjoy meeting the fans and talking about the show. It is nice thing to be remember for something like that.
MG: Tell us about your two upcoming projects “Blood Fare” and “Lost Valentine”?
GG: In “Blood Fare” I play a professor. It is like a civil war horror film. It relates to the old legends. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed it. It was very low-budget independent film. I love to deal with people that are creative, young and trying to get things started. I just love the energy. “Lost Valentine” is with Betty White and Jennifer Love Hewitt. I play Betty’s son. She is a woman who is widowed in World War II, her husband was MIA. Jennifer plays a TV reporter who is doing a story on her. The whole thing revolved around the fact that he said goodbye to her on Valentine’s day back in the 40’s. Jennifer ends up finding what happened to her husband and the lost valentine becomes the found valentine. It is a really a nice story. It will be on the Hallmark Channel probably around Valentine’s day.
Click here to purchase “Buck Rogers” merchandise