'Little House on the Prairie' Fans Mourn Devastating Loss
- - 'Little House on the Prairie' Fans Mourn Devastating Loss
Michelle SteinDecember 22, 2025 at 5:52 AM
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Bud Gray/NBCU Photo Bank
Little House on the Prairie fans are mourning the death of Gil Gerard, who played a handyman named Chris Nelson in Season 4 of the historical drama series.
On Tuesday, Dec. 16, Gerard's wife, Janet, announced via Facebook his death at 82 after a battle with cancer.
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In the wake of the actor's death, Little House on the Prairie fans took to Reddit to react to the news. "The handsome handyman right?" one fan wrote.
Another shared, "Aw, that's sad, that was a good episode," of the Season 4, Episode 4, titled "The Handyman," which premiered in 1977.
"Uncle Chris??" someone else asked in disbelief.
"Oh, I loved him😊😊," yet another fan commented.
Meanwhile, a different Redditor lamented, "Aw :( Rest Easy Gil," alongside a screenshot of the actor as Chris the handyman.
On Sunday, Dec. 21, the official Little House on the PrairieInstagram account posted a clip of Gerard as Chris.
"Remembering Gil Gerard, who passed away on the 16th. 🤍," the caption read. "Before [Buck Rogers in the 25th Century], he appeared on Little House on the Prairie as the gentle handyman who reminded Laura that kindness and dignity matter—no matter how small the role or moment. A quiet performance, a lasting impression."
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One Instagram user responded, "Noooooo!! Such a great episode and love his character. :(((."
Another shared, "I knew he was a time traveler ❤️ RIP Gil, thanks for the happy memories."
Someone else commented, "Condolences to his family and friends. Hope he is resting in the arms of God.❤️."
Related: Little House on the Prairie Actress Dead at 89
In "The Handyman," Chris helped Caroline "Ma" Ingalls (Karen Grassle) finish a kitchen addition while Charles "Pa" Ingalls (Michael Landon) was away. Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) and other townsfolk, including Harriet Oleson (Katherine MacGregor) and Nellie Oleson (Alison Arngrim), started speculating that an affair was brewing. Ultimately, Charles returned to finish the project, and the rumors were revealed to be false.
Arngrim and former costar Dean Butler—who played Laura Ingalls Wilder's (Melissa Gilbert) husband, Almanzo Wilder—discussed the episode during a September episode of the Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Podcast. During their conversation, host Pamela Bob read a short excerpt from Grassle's 2021 memoir, Bright Lights, Prairie Dust, in which she wrote about working with Gerard.
"He had the charisma many women find irresistible," Grassle recalled. "When he showed up on set, even the little girls got up and took notice. He was sweet and hardworking and endeared himself to all of us women, young and old."
More so than Little House on the Prairie, Gerard was known for starring in the TV series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.
Next: Melissa Gilbert Honors Late Little House on the Prairie Costar: "My Childhood BFF"
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
