Who did Jack Lilley play on 'Little House On The Prairie'? Actor and stuntman dies at 91

Actor and stuntman Jack Lilley is no more. His granddaughter, Savanah Dawn Lilley, shared the news on Instagram. Jack was 91 at the time of his demise. According to The Signal, Lilley died peacefully at his Motion Picture and Television Fund home in Woodland Hills. The actor had been battling advanced Alzheimer’s disease. Sharing the post, Savanah wrote:

“The man who started it all. Figuratively and literally. The card shark, the horse trader, the wrangler, the man with a story for everything, he always knew someone who could help if he couldn't, known to many as friend, storyteller, joker, and a heck of a horseman, and his favorite, PAPA.”

The post continued:

“Jack went to be with his bride, Irene, tonight. He just couldn't bear another second without her. 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. Thank you to all of our family and friends for reaching out. We will let you know about a service to celebrate the life of Jack Lilley.”

According to Deadline, Jack Lilley contributed to over 30 episodes of Little House on the Prairie. He often appeared in small, uncredited roles, such as a wagon driver or townsman, while also working behind the scenes as a stunt performer, coordinator, and stand-in.

Born on August 15, 1931, Jack Lilley entered the entertainment industry in the late 1940s. With his expertise in horseback riding, he took on roles as a stunt performer, animal coordinator, and background actor in early TV Westerns like Wagon Train, Death Valley Days, and nearly 30 episodes of Zorro.

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"I am so lucky that he was my friend" - Actress Melissa Gilbert's tribute to Jack Lilley

Little House on the Prairie co-star Melissa Gilbert shared a tribute on Instagram. She wrote that the Little House community lost a beloved member. She described him as one of her favorite people and recalled how he patiently taught her to ride horses when she was young.

Lilley was not only Victor French’s photo double but also appeared in various roles on Little House on the Prairie. His talent was also showcased in Blazing Saddles. In the early 2000s, Gilbert worked on a western pilot called Then Came Jones.

Though the show wasn’t picked up, filming felt deeply nostalgic. The first read-through took place at Paramount Studios, where Little House was originally filmed, and it coincided with Michael Landon’s birthday. The production also returned to Big Sky Ranch, another familiar location from her Little House days.

Gilbert describes in her tribute post that on her first day on set, as she was getting ready in costume, she heard a familiar voice call out to her with an old nickname. The voice was Jack Lilley's. At that moment, she felt like she was truly home. She further wrote:

“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. Oh Jack....sweet prince...may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jack Lilley is survived by his sons, Clay, Clint, and Ben. He has five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. His wife, Irene, died in May 2024 at the age of 95.

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