Actor Gil Gerard has died at the age of 82 after a battle with a rare, aggressive cancer

Gil Gerard, best known for his role in “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,” has died. He was 82 years old.

Gerard’s manager, Tina Presley Borek, confirmed the death of the Hollywood actor to Fox News Digital.

He died Tuesday in a hospice from a rare and aggressive cancer, according to the Associated Press.

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Following his death, Gerard’s wife, Janet, shared a message to fans on Facebook, giving a final glimpse into his life and vision.

“Don’t waste your time on anything that doesn’t make you happy or bring you love. We’ll see each other somewhere in the universe,” the paper reads.

In another message written before his death, Gerard reflected on his life and work.

“My life has been an amazing journey,” he wrote. “The opportunities I’ve had, the people I’ve met and the love I’ve given and received have made my 82 years on earth deeply satisfying.”

His death marks the passing of one of the greats of late 1970s television sci-fi.

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Gil Gerard was best known for starring in “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.” (Herb Ball/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

Gerard played William “Buck” Rogers from 1979 to 1981, helping turn the character into a prime-time favorite.

The series, which ran for two seasons, followed a 20th-century NASA pilot who woke up 500 years in the future after being caught in frozen images when his spacecraft was hit by a meteor storm.

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The role came at a time when space audiences were in high demand, after “Star Wars,” and Gerard’s charismatic, clean-cut presence made him an instant television star. Alongside him were Erin Gray as Wilma Deering and the intelligent robot Twiki, as Rogers navigates a domineering, futuristic Earth full of unknown threats and the fearsome Draconians.

The series was based on Philip Francis Nowlan’s 1928 book “Armageddon 2419 AD” The character, named Anthony Rogers, later became known as Buck Rogers as the story appeared in comic strips, radio, serial films and television adaptations.

Gerard, a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, worked steadily in television commercials before landing his first role. He went on to appear in numerous TV shows and films, including starring roles in 1982’s “Feel Evil” and the 1986 series “Sidekicks.”

The Little Rock, Arkansas native worked briefly in television commercials before landing her role. (Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images)

In 1992, he hosted the reality series “Code 3,” which followed firefighters responding to emergency calls across the country. Throughout the 1990s, he appeared regularly on television, including a role on “Days of Our Lives.”

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Gerard later reunited with Gray for the 2007 TV movie “Nuclear Hurricane,” and the two returned to the Buck Rogers universe in 2009, portraying Rogers’ parents in the pilot episode of James Cawley’s web series “Buck Rogers Begins.”

Gil Gerard had one son, actor Gilbert Vincent Gerard, with actor and actress Connie Sellecca. (Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)

Gerard was married and divorced four times before marrying Janet. He had one son, actor Gilbert Vincent Gerard, with actor and actress Connie Sellecca. Their divorce included a contentious dispute over their son, who was born in 1981, and Sellecca was eventually awarded custody.

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In his last message shared publicly, Gerard summed up his life with gratitude and kindness.

“My journey has taken me from Arkansas to New York to Los Angeles, and finally, to my home in North Georgia with my wonderful wife, Janet, of 18 years,” he wrote. “It’s been a great journey, but it’s definitely coming to an end like I did.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.