Yahoo Lifestyle 'Little House on the Prairie' Alum Dead at 91
The Little House on the Prairie cast is grieving for one of their own.
On Friday, March 21, Melissa Gilbert announced the death of series alum Jack Lilley, who played a variety of roles in the beloved Western historical drama. He was 91.
Gilbert, who starred as Laura Ingalls Wilder on the hit show, announced the solemn news in an Instagram post on Friday, where she called Lilley "one of [her] favorite people on the planet."
"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?" Gilbert fondly recalled.
The 60-year-old actress—who included two photos of Lilley in her post—also highlighted some of his roles on Little House, including a photo double for Victor French, the actor who played Isiah Edwards on screen.
Lilley is also credited with playing the characters Homer Bjorgsen and Jack, as well as a Carriage Driver, Townsman, and Stage Driver during his tenure on the popular period piece, per IMDb.
His other film credits include Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Blazing Saddles (1974), Hard Promises (1991), The Last Cowboy (2003) and many, many more.
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While recalling some of her favorite memories with Lilley, Gilbert remembered a Western pilot she shot in 2002, which was filmed at Big Sky Ranch, the same location where Little House filming took place.
Calling the experience "Such a strange deja vu," Gilbert recalled, "Then I walked to the set itself and before I could even focus I heard a familiar voice holler, 'Hey Halfpint, you old rat-ass!!!' 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 wrote. "Jack always felt like home to me."
"He lived quite a life," Gilbert continued in the heartfelt post, adding, "I am so lucky that he was my friend."
She concluded, "Oh Jack....sweet prince...may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Love always, Your Halfpint."
