He was 71 years old.
Gilliland’s acting career spanned nearly 50 years and centered on television.
He also played Laurie in the 1978 NBC miniseriesLittle Women, viaIMDb.
Fans and friends are mourning the actor in light of his passing.
You are missed already," she wrote.
“just say hello to Dixie and Hal, Meschach and Alice.
Love, Annie.”
Gilliland’s wife, Jean Smart, has not made a public statement.
The pair met on the set ofDesigning Womenand became inseparable.
She jokingly recalled, “I met him when he was kissing someone else.”
Smart then tried to discreetly ask fellow cast member, Delta Burke, if Gilliland was married.
Instead, the outspoken actress took matters into her own hands.
Smart and Gilliland’s relationship blossomed from there.
They had their first son, Connor, in 1989.
In 2009, Smart and Gilliland adopted a 10-month-old baby from China named Bonnie.
As of now, Smart will still star in the film.
