Jack Lilley, a beloved Little House on the Prairie alum and renowned stuntman known for his work on classic western dramas, has passed away at the age of 91.
His former Little House co-star Melissa Gilbert confirmed the news in a heartfelt and emotional tribute shared on social media Friday, March 21.
“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 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?”
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.
In 2002 (ish) I had the great pleasure of acting in a western pilot for ABC, produced by Chris Brancato and Bert Salke, starring my pal, Sean Patrick Flanery, called Then Came Jones. (Mary Elizabeth Winstead , in her very first role, played my daughter)
It was a joy to shoot and I was so bummed when it didn’t get picked up.
It was all very synchronistic. Our first read though 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.
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-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.
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”
Jack Lilley was a respected actor and stuntman whose career spanned decades, particularly in the golden era of western television and film. Born in 1933, Lilley became a prominent figure in Hollywood for his rugged charm and fearless stunt work. He appeared in numerous western dramas, including Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and The Virginian, often taking on physically demanding roles that showcased his skills both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
One of his most memorable roles was on Little House on the Prairie, where he worked closely with the cast and crew, earning admiration for his professionalism and warm personality. His versatility allowed him to seamlessly shift between acting and stunt coordination, making him a valuable asset on set.
Lilley’s legacy extends beyond his screen appearances; he was known for his deep love of horses and the western lifestyle, often participating in rodeos and community events.