Former child star Melissa Gilbert has announced the passing of a longtime “Little House on the Prairie” cast member in a touching social media message.
Melissa Gilbert has shared the heartbreaking news of the passing of her “Little House on the Prairie” co-star, Jack Lilley. In an Instagram post on Friday, March 21, 2025, Melissa revealed that Jack had passed away at the age of 91.
“The little house family has lost one of our own,” she wrote. “He also happened to be one of my favorite people on the planet.”
She expressed her deep admiration for Jack, recalling the bond that was formed when he taught her how to ride a horse as a child. “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?'”
Jack, a well-respected stuntman and actor, served as Victor French’s photo double and appeared in various roles on “Little House on the Prairie.” He also had a notable role in the classic film “Blazing Saddles.”
He was born on August 15, 1933, in Santa Clarita, California. Throughout his career, he appeared in several well-known films, including “Planet of the Apes” (2001), “Sudden Impact” (1983), and “The Legend of Zorro” (2005).
Jack’s journey in the entertainment industry began at a young age. His father, originally from Texas, moved to Los Angeles and became involved in renting horses to movie studios.
This work naturally led him to perform stunts in Westerns. Following in his father’s footsteps, he helped build the family’s Movin’ On Livestock business, which his son, Clay Lilley, now operates in New Mexico.
As urban development in Los Angeles expanded, keeping horses in the city became increasingly difficult. The Lilley family moved north in search of more open space for their animals.
By 1958, Jack and his wife, Irene, settled in Santa Clarita Valley in the same home built by her grandparents, where she had grown up. The couple continued to keep horses and other animals on their property.
Melissa, 60, shared a cherished memory from 2002 when she worked on a western pilot titled “Then Came Jones.” The show, produced by Chris Brancato and Bert Salke, starred Sean Patrick Flanery and featured a young Mary Elizabeth Winstead in her first role.
The “Safe Harbour” actress described the experience as “synchronistic,” recalling that their first read-through took place at Paramount Studios, the same location where “Little House on the Prairie” was filmed for its first four years. Coincidentally, it also happened on Halloween, which coincided with Michael Landon’s birthday.
She further recalled, “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.”
It was there that Melissa ended up hearing Jack’s familiar voice calling out, “Hey Halfpint, you old rat-[expletive]!!!”
His presence on set alongside Denny Allen, another wrangler from “Little House on the Prairie,” put her at ease. “Jack always felt like home to me. He lived quite a life. I am so lucky that he was my friend,” she shared.
Reflecting on Jack’s life and legacy, Melissa Gilbert expressed gratitude for their friendship. She extended her condolences to his loved ones, particularly his family and Clint (Burkey) Lilley.
She ended her tribute with a heartfelt farewell, “Oh Jack… sweet prince… may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Love always, Your Halfpint.”
Fellow industry professional Bill Herring also expressed his sadness over Jack’s passing in a Facebook tribute on March 20. Bill described Jack as “a true legend in the horse and movie industry” who played many roles and supplied horses for some of the most iconic westerns.
He recalled childhood memories of hearing phone calls between his father and Jack, who frequently requested gentle horses for movie productions.
Bill reflected on the loss of Hollywood’s old western icons, writing, “All the great ol’ timers are going away, but their memories and stories will last forever.” He shared a photo of the Lilley crew and his own parents taken on the set of “Young Guns” as a tribute to their legacy.
Jack’s daughter, Savanah Dawn Lilley, also paid tribute to her father in a heartfelt Facebook post. Remembering him as “the man who started it all,” she described his many roles in life, from a skilled horseman and wrangler to a storyteller and card shark.
He was well-known for his humor and strong connections, always knowing someone who could help if he couldn’t. But above all, he was known as “PAPA.”
She shared that Jack passed away to reunite with his late wife, Irene, saying, “He just couldn’t bear another second without her.”
Expressing her deep love and admiration, she wrote, “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.”
She also thanked friends and family for their support and stated that details about a service to celebrate his life would be shared in the near future.
Jack leaves behind a legacy in the entertainment industry, having contributed to some of television and film’s most beloved productions.
