Little House on the Prairie’s Melissa Gilbert leads tributes to co-star Jack Lilley after death aged 91
She said he 'always felt like home'.
Little House on the Prairie star Jack Lilley has died aged 91.
The actor’s death was announced by co-star Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls Wilder in the historical drama which ran from 1974 until 1983.
‘The little house family has lost one of our own. Jack Lilley has passed away. He was 91 years old. He also happened to be one of my favourite people on the planet,’ she wrote.
‘He taught me how to ride a horse when I was just a wee little thing. He was so patient with me. He never said no when I would bound up to him squealing, “Can we go ride? Please, please, please?”.’
During his time on the series, Lilley played a variety of roles, notably as the stagecoach driver.
‘Aside from being Victor French’s photo double, he was featured prominently in many different roles on Little House. You can also see his absolute brilliance in the film Blazing Saddles,’ Gilbert continued.
He was best known for playing a stagecoach driver on the beloved historical drama (Picture: Peacock TV)In her lengthy tribute, Gilbert also noted reconnecting with Lilley more than 20 years ago on a series titled Then Came Jones, however it was never picked up for a full season.
‘It was all very synchronistic. Our first read through was at Paramount Studios, where we had shot Little House the first four years. It was also on Halloween, which is Michael Landon’s birthday. That day, I also found out we would be shooting at Big Sky Ranch, where we had shot Little House,’ she recalled.
‘My first day on set was surreal, getting my hair and makeup done, getting dressed, laced into my corset, boots etc. Such a strange deja vu. Then I walked to the set itself and before I could even focus I heard a familiar voice holler, “Hey Halfpint, you old rat-a–!!”. It was Jack. He was our wrangler for that pilot and by his side was Denny Allen, who had been our wrangler on Little House. In that instant, I knew I was home,’ she added.
Gilbert went on to write that Lilley ‘always felt like home to me’, before sharing ‘love and prayers’ for his family following his death.
It ran from 1974 until 1983 (Picture: Fotos International/ Getty Images)‘He lived quite a life. I am so lucky that he was my friend,’ she shared.
Lilley, who was also a stuntman, first acted as a cowhand in the 1956 film Gun For A Coward and went on to have small, uncredited roles in Drango, Fury At Showdown, The Hard Man, Wagon Train, Ride A Crooked Trail, Cimarron City and Lawman.
He also appeared in The Big Valley, Family Affair, The Wild Wild West, The High Chaparral, Dallas and Fantasy Island, as well as in films Sudden Impact, Planet of the Apes and The Legend of Zorro.
Lilley is survived by his two sons, Clint and Cash, whom he shared with late wife Irene Lilley, who died in May last year.
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