Jack Lilley, a beloved actor, stuntman, and animal wrangler known for his roles in iconic shows and films like Little House on the Prairie and Blazing Saddles, has passed away at the age of 91.
Born on August 15, 1933, in Santa Clarita, California, Lilley’s career in Hollywood spanned decades, beginning in the late 1940s. His resume boasts an impressive array of credits, from the classic western series Gunsmoke to modern takes on the genre like 1988’s Young Guns and 2011’s Cowboys & Aliens.
Lilley’s journey in the industry started early when he worked as a horse wrangler alongside George Spahn at the Spahn Movie Ranch. It was there, amid the dusty trails and rolling hills, that he crossed paths with a young Charles Manson, years before the latter’s infamous turn as a cult leader.
His big break came as a stuntman, a role that showcased his grit and skill. Lilley soon found himself working with legendary director John Ford on masterpieces like 1962’s The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. But it wasn’t just the classics that defined him—he left his mark on comedy, too. In a 2015 interview with Santa Clarita’s SCVTV, Lilley shared a vivid memory from the set of Blazing Saddles in 1974. He described a stunt where his horse slipped on wet wood, prompting an unforgettable reaction from director Mel Brooks. “Pardon my English, but Mel jumped up and went: ‘Holy s***! What was that? I ain’t never seen nothing like that in my life,’” Lilley said with a chuckle.
News of his passing broke via a heartfelt Instagram tribute from Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert. In her post, Gilbert mourned the loss of a man she called one of her “favorite people on the planet.”
“The little house family has lost one of our own,” Gilbert wrote. “Jack Lilley has passed away. He was 91 years old. He also happened to be one of my favorite people on the planet.” She went on to recount how Lilley taught her to ride horses as a child, patiently indulging her endless pleas to saddle up. “He never said no when I would bound up to him squealing, ‘Can we go ride? Please, please, please?’” she recalled.
Gilbert highlighted his many roles on Little House, where he doubled for actor Victor French and popped up in various parts, as well as his standout work in Blazing Saddles. She also shared a personal story from 2002, when she worked with Lilley again on a western pilot called Then Came Jones. The project, though it didn’t take off, brought her back to familiar ground—Big Sky Ranch, where Little House had been filmed. Hearing Lilley’s voice call out, “Hey Halfpint, you old rat-ass!!!” as she stepped onto the set felt like a homecoming. “Jack always felt like home to me,” she wrote. “He lived quite a life. I am so lucky that he was my friend.”
Closing her tribute, Gilbert sent love to Lilley’s family, including his son Clint “Burkey” Lilley, and offered a tender farewell: “Oh Jack….sweet prince…may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Love always, Your Halfpint.”
Lilley leaves behind two sons, Clint and Cash. His wife, Irene Lilley, predeceased him in May 2024. His legacy, etched in hoofprints and celluloid, will endure as a testament to a life lived boldly in the saddle.