Lilley was an actor and stuntman who played numerous roles on the beloved Western drama.
In alengthy and heartfelt Instagram postFriday, Gilbert wrote, “TheLittle Housefamily has lost one of our own.
Jack Lilley has passed away.
Jack Lilley on ‘Little House on the Prairie’.Credit:Peacock
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.
Melissa Gilbert and Jack Lilley on ‘Little House on the Prairie’.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Peacock
He was so patient with me.
He never said no when I would bound up to him squealing, ‘Can we go ride?
yo, yo, yo?'”
His family confirmed toEntertainment Weeklythat he died Wednesday; a cause was not disclosed.
He also returned for three of the series’ made-for-TV movies in 1983 and 1984.
Such a strange deja vu," Gilbert recalled in her Instagram post.
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."
Love always, Your Halfpint."
“We are deeply touched by the outpouring of love for our favorite cowboy.
“We encourage you to continue to share your Jack Lilley stories.
If you knew papa, we know you have at least one.
He was truly one of a kind.”
