Melissa Gilbert Shares Sad News About the Passing of Her ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Co-Star

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Former child star Melissa Gilbert has shared the sad news of the passing of her longtime “Little House on the Prairie” colleague in a heartfelt message on social media.

On Friday, March 21, 2025, Gilbert took to Instagram to announce the death of her beloved co-star Jack Lilley, who passed away at the age of 91.

“Our Little House family has lost another one of our own,” she wrote. “And he just happened to be one of my favorite people on the planet.”

Gilbert fondly remembered her early years on the set, sharing how Lilley patiently taught her to ride horses. “He was endlessly kind. Never once said no when I came running to him, squealing, ‘Can we ride? Please, please, pleeeease?!’”

Lilley, a veteran stuntman and actor, appeared in numerous roles on Little House on the Prairie and was known for being Victor French’s photo double. He also played a part in the classic comedy Blazing Saddles.

Now 60, Gilbert reflected on a special memory from 2002 while working on the western pilot Then Came Jones, produced by Chris Brancato and Bert Salke. The series, which featured Sean Patrick Flanery and a young Mary Elizabeth Winstead in her debut role, felt like a full-circle moment for her.

She recalled that the first read-through took place at Paramount Studios — the same lot where Little House was filmed during its early years — and that it happened on Halloween, which also happened to be Michael Landon’s birthday.

“My first day back on a western set felt so familiar — corsets, boots, makeup trailers — all of it. It was surreal,” she shared.

That day became even more emotional when she heard a voice she hadn’t heard in years call out, “Hey Halfpint, you old rat-[expletive]!!!” It was Jack Lilley.

With Lilley and fellow Little House wrangler Denny Allen both on set, Gilbert instantly felt at home. “Jack always felt like family. He lived an incredible life. I was lucky to call him a friend.”

She offered her deepest sympathies to those closest to him, especially his family and Clint (Burkey) Lilley.

Gilbert ended her tribute with moving words: “Oh Jack… sweet prince… may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Love always, Your Halfpint.”

Lilley leaves behind a meaningful legacy in the world of film and television, remembered for his contributions to countless productions and his unforgettable presence on and off the screen.