‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century’ Cast: Where They Are Now (and What Happened Behind the Scenes)
Explore the cast, characters, and the dramatic shift between seasons
When Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (from Glen A. Larson, creator of Battlestar Galactica) blasted onto NBC in 1979, it was the perfect mix of post-Star Wars excitement and good old-fashioned sci-fi TV adventure. Gil Gerard’s Buck (a 20th-century astronaut accidentally frozen for 500 years and revived in a strange new future) was a hero with a smirk, quick with a wisecrack but also ready to throw himself into danger. With Erin Gray as the strong, no-nonsense Colonel Wilma Deering, Tim O’Connor as the wise Dr. Huer and Felix Silla (with Mel Blanc’s voice) bringing life to the tiny robot Twiki, the show hit a sweet spot between campy fun and glossy spectacle. It was colorful, it was fast and for a short while, it really worked.
Season 1 leaned heavily into that mix of disco-era flair and space opera action. Buck and Wilma jetted around in sleek starfighters, defended Earth from villains like Princess Ardala and got caught up in plots that owed as much to James Bond as to Flash Gordon.
But by Season 2, the tone shifted dramatically. Instead of zipping around Earth’s Defense Directorate, Buck and Wilma joined the crew of the starship Searcher on a mission to find humanity’s lost colonies and cash in on the Star Trek phenomenon of the time. The show tilted toward a more “serious” brand of science fiction, sometimes even echoing Trek with its moral dilemmas and emphasis on exploration. The addition of Thom Christopher as Hawk, a birdlike alien warrior with a tragic backstory, brought real dramatic weight. And Wilfrid Hyde-White’s kindly Dr. Goodfellow gave the crew a more philosophical voice.
The change was bold, but divisive. Fans who loved the pulp energy and flashy villains of the first season sometimes struggled with the slower pace and heavier tone of the second. Others appreciated the effort to aim higher, seeing in it the potential for Buck Rogers to be more than just space camp. Unfortunately, the ratings slipped, and the show ended in 1981 after just two seasons.
Still, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century has endured as a cult favorite. Whether you prefer the glitzy space-battles-and-princesses of Season 1 or the thoughtful, Star Trek-inspired voyages of Season 2, there’s no denying the series holds a special place in TV sci-fi history — equal parts retro fun and ambitious experiment.
Gil Gerard (Captain William “Buck” Rogers)
Character: A 20th-century astronaut accidentally frozen in space and revived 500 years later, where he becomes Earth’s reluctant defender against alien and internal threats.
Before Buck Rogers: Gerard was primarily known for guest spots on TV series (Little House on the Prairie, Hawaii Five-0, The Rockford Files) and as a regular on Soap.
Life post-Buck Rogers: He remained active in television movies and guest appearances, including Sidekicks, E.A.R.T.H. Force, and numerous made-for-TV films.
Personal: Born January 23, 1943, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Married Connie Sellecca (1979–1987, one son, Gilbert Jr.). Later married Bobi Leonard in 1987, but they divorced two years later. He’s the father of one and is currently 82.
Erin Gray (Colonel Wilma Deering)
Character: A high-ranking Earth Defense Directorate officer who is both Buck’s partner and occasional foil, combining authority, intelligence and action heroine appeal.
Before Buck Rogers: Gray was a successful model and actress with credits including Malibu and TV guest spots.
Life post-Buck Rogers: She co-starred on the sitcom Silver Spoons (1982–1987) as Kate Summers Stratton, became a regular on genre conventions and took guest roles in shows like Magnum, P.I. and Baywatch. She also became a casting agent specializing in commercial talent.
Personal: Born January 7, 1950, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Married Ken Schwartz (1968–1990, one child, Kevan Ray Schwartz), later married Richard Hissong (1991–present, one daughter, Samantha). She’s 75.
Tim O’Connor (Dr. Elias Huer)
Character: Head of Earth’s Defense Directorate, a wise leader who serves as Buck’s ally and advisor.
Before Buck Rogers: A prolific television actor, best known as Elliot Carson on Peyton Place (1965–1968). Appeared in Columbo, Barnaby Jones and many other series.
Life post-Buck Rogers: Continued steady TV guest work through the 1990s, including Dynasty, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Walker, Texas Ranger.
Personal: Born July 3, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois. Married Mary Foskett (1969–2018).
Death: Died April 5, 2018, at age 90 in Nevada City, California.
Pamela Hensley (Princess Ardala)
Character: The glamorous and devious Draconian princess, a recurring villain with designs on conquering Earth—and Buck.
Before Buck Rogers: Notable roles included the TV adaptation of Ellery Queen (1975–1976) and the pilot for Wonder Woman (1975).
Life post-Buck Rogers: Starred as C.J. Parsons in the short-lived detective series Matt Houston (1982–1985). By the late 1980s she retired from acting and later became an author, publishing a cookbook (The Jewish-Sicilian Cookbook).
Personal: Born October 3, 1950, in Glendale, California. Married television executive E.B. Chester (1982–present). She’s soon to be 75.
Death: Still living as of 2025.
Felix Silla (Twiki, performer)
Character: The small, child-sized ambuquad robot who serves as Buck’s companion, providing comic relief (voiced by Mel Blanc, later Bob Elyea).
Before Buck Rogers: He was a circus performer turned Hollywood stuntman and actor, known for roles such as Cousin Itt on The Addams Family.
Life post-Buck Rogers: Continued working as a stunt performer and in creature suits in films like Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (as an Ewok) and Batman Returns (as Penguin’s stunt double).
Personal: Born January 11, 1937, in Roccacasale, Italy. Married Susan Silla (three children).
Death: Died April 16, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada, from pancreatic cancer at age 84.
Mel Blanc (Voice of Twiki, Seasons 1–2)
Character: Provided the iconic “biddi-biddi-biddi” voice for Twiki.
Before Buck Rogers: Legendary Warner Bros. voice actor behind Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and countless others.
Life post-Buck Rogers: Continued voice acting, most notably in The Flintstones and Looney Tunes projects as well as commercials, until his death.
Personal: Born May 30, 1908, in San Francisco, California. Married Estelle Rosenbaum (1933–1989, one son, Noel Blanc).
Death: Died July 10, 1989, in Los Angeles from heart disease at age 81.
Thom Christopher (Hawk)
Character: Hawk, a noble warrior and last survivor of a bird-like humanoid race nearly wiped out by humans. Initially an adversary, he became Buck’s ally and a key crew member aboard the Searcher, often struggling with his tragic past and quest for justice. His distinctive bald head and feathered crest made him one of the show’s most memorable creations.
Before Buck Rogers: Christopher was a classically trained actor with a strong background in theater. On television, he made guest appearances in series such as Kojak and The Edge of Night, building a reputation for intensity and presence.
Life post-Buck Rogers: He enjoyed a long career in television and stage. Most prominently, he became a soap opera mainstay, winning a Daytime Emmy Award in 1992 for his role as Carlo Hesser on One Life to Live. He also appeared in Loving and Guiding Light.
Personal: Born October 5, 1940, in Queens, New York. Married Judith Leverone in 1971.
Death: Died on December 5, 2024, at 84 .
Wilfrid Hyde-White (Dr. Goodfellow)
Character: A gentle, absent-minded professor type who joined the crew of the Searcher in Season 2. Dr. Goodfellow was more interested in exploration, philosophy, and the pursuit of knowledge than military protocol, often providing a softer counterpoint to Buck and Wilma’s action-oriented missions.
Before Buck Rogers: A well-respected British character actor with a career stretching back to the 1930s. He was memorable in films like My Fair Lady (1964, as Colonel Pickering), The Third Man (1949), and dozens of stage productions. On television he appeared in The Twilight Zone, Burke’s Law and Columbo.
Life post-Buck Rogers: By the early 1980s, his health was in decline, but he continued to take occasional roles.
Personal: Born May 12, 1903, in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, England. Married Blanche Glynne (1927–1973, which was the year of her death.) Together they had children.
Death: Died May 6, 1991, in Los Angeles, California, just six days before his 88th birthday.
Mark Lenard (Ambassador Duvoe)
Character: Ambassador Duvoe of the planet Pendar, who appears in the Season 2 opener “Time of the Hawk” (Parts 1 & 2). A dignified alien diplomat, Duvoe was tasked with overseeing delicate negotiations while Buck and his crew faced conflict with Hawk.
Before Buck Rogers: Lenard was a seasoned stage and television actor. He became iconic in science fiction for playing Sarek, Spock’s father, in Star Trek: The Original Series, and later appeared in Star Trek: The Motion Picture as a Klingon commander and reprised Sarek in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. He also had recurring roles in soap operas such as Another World and played gorilla General Urko on the 1974-75 Planet of the Apes TV series.
Life post-Buck Rogers: He reprised Sarek in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, as well as on Star Trek: The Next Generation. These appearances cemented him as an integral part of the Trek legacy.
Personal: Born October 15, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II before pursuing acting. Married Ann Amouri Lenard, with whom he had two daughters.
Death: Died November 22, 1996, in New York City from multiple myeloma at age 72.
Buster Crabbe (Brigadier Gordon)
Character: Brigadier Gordon, an Earth Defense Directorate officer appearing in the Season 1 two-part story “Planet of the Slave Girls.” The role was a deliberate nod to Crabbe’s legacy as an adventure serial star, bringing together the old and new eras of Buck Rogers on screen.
Before Buck Rogers: One of Hollywood’s biggest action heroes of the 1930s and 1940s, Crabbe starred as Tarzan, Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers in classic serials. He also won a gold medal in swimming at the 1932 Olympics, which launched his film career.
Life post-Buck Rogers: By the late 1970s he had largely retired from acting, though he continued to make public appearances and embraced his cult following among sci-fi and serial enthusiasts. He also ran a swimming pool company and promoted fitness. His cameo on Buck Rogers was his last television appearance.
Personal: Born Clarence Linden Crabbe II on February 7, 1908, in Oakland, California. Married Adah Virginia Held (1933–1983, her death). They had three children.
Death: Died April 23, 1983, in Scottsdale, Arizona, from a heart attack at age 75.
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