The Little House on the Prairie cast is mourning the loss of one of their own, Jack Lilley, who passed away at the age of 91. Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls Wilder on the beloved series, shared the sad news in an emotional Instagram post on Friday, March 21, honoring Lilley as “one of [her] favorite people on the planet.”
Gilbert, 60, fondly recalled how Lilley taught her to ride a horse when she was young, describing him as endlessly patient and kind. “He never said no when I would bound up to him squealing, ‘Can we go ride? Please, please, please?’” she wrote. Alongside her heartfelt words, Gilbert shared two photos of Lilley, including one of him as a photo double for Victor French, who played Isiah Edwards on the show.
Lilley appeared in various roles on Little House on the Prairie, including Homer Bjorgsen, Jack, a Carriage Driver, Townsman, and Stage Driver, according to IMDb. Beyond the iconic series, his extensive career included roles in Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Blazing Saddles (1974), Hard Promises (1991), The Last Cowboy (2003), and many more.
Gilbert also reminisced about reuniting with Lilley on a Western pilot she filmed in 2002 at Big Sky Ranch, the same location where Little House was shot. “Such a strange déjà vu,” she wrote, recalling how Lilley greeted her with his signature humor, shouting, “Hey Halfpint, you old rat-ass!!!” She added, “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.”
In her touching tribute, Gilbert celebrated Lilley’s remarkable life and their enduring friendship. “He lived quite a life,” she wrote. “I am so lucky that he was my friend.” She concluded with a poignant farewell: “Oh Jack… sweet prince… may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Love always, Your Halfpint.”
RIP Jack Lillley
