Melissa Gilbert remembers ‘Little House on the Prairie’ as it turns 50
The wholesome Ingalls family has charmed generations of young women through its star, Melissa Gilbert.
“Little House on the Prairie” star Jack Lilley has died at 91.
According to respective Instagram posts from his show co-star Melissa Gilbert and son Clint Lilley, Lilley died Wednesday after a storied career as a Hollywood stuntman and actor, who played various roles on the beloved ’70s historical drama, including a townsman and stagecoach driver.
“Jack went to be with his bride, Irene, tonight. He just couldn’t bear another second without her. You left one heck of a mark on this world, Papa. Your laugh and spark in your eyes when you saw the ones you loved will stay with us forever,” Lilley’s son Clay Lilley posted on Instagram on Wednesday.
“Thank you to all of our family and friends for reaching out. We will let you know about a service to celebrate the life of Jack Lilley,” he continued.
The famed stuntman moved to Los Angeles from Texas as a child when his father rented horses to movie studios, according to an article from The Santa Clarity Valley Signal published in 2022. Lilley followed in his father’s footsteps doing stunts, too, and his son Clay now runs the Movin’ On Livestock motion picture horse rental business from New Mexico extending the family business. He has credits in more than 280 films, according to the paper.
Later, he moved to California’s Santa Clarita Valley with wife Irene, and the pair had two sons: Clint and Cash.
“It’s been heaven living here all these years, and my husband could keep all his horses and still go to work close by, so we just stayed here while the rest of Santa Clarita changed,” Irene Lilley told the Signal for her 90th birthday. “I never thought I would live to 90. I still do all the things like cook, take care of my husband and I could drive, but I don’t since I had an operation on my leg.”
Lilley appeared as a stuntman or actor in projects such as “Sudden Impact” in 1983, “Young Guns” in 1988, 2001’s “Planet of the Apes” and 2005’s “The Legend of Zorro.”
Gilbert took to Instagram to share that “the ‘Little House family has lost one of our own,” adding that Lilley was “one of my 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 wrote.
She added: “Jack always felt like home to me. He lived quite a life. I am so lucky that he was my friend. All my love and prayers go out to his family and especially Clint (Burkey) Lilley. @stuntbagdrag. Oh Jack….sweet prince…may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
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