Television

For a lot of us, just hearing the words “three-hour tour” is enough to bring back memories of lazy afternoons in front of the television, watching one of the most lovable groups of castaways ever assembled. Gilligan's Island and its cast turned a simple shipwreck into one of the most recognizable sitcom setups of the 1960s, complete with coconut radios, ridiculous rescue plans, and a theme song practically everyone still knows by heart. What started as a tiny charter boat trip somehow became a television comfort food that generations kept coming back to long after the original run ended. The series starred Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Russell Johnson, Tina Louise, and Dawn Wells, each bringing tons of personality and charisma—and mayhem—to the island. Over the years, fans watched the cast branch out into new projects, reunions, interviews, and second acts far beyond the SS Minnow. Today, only one surviving cast member remains, making a look back at the lives and careers behind these television icons feel even more meaningful. Who is it? Is Dawn Wells still alive? Dawn Wells from the cast of Gilligan's Island/ Everett Collection / Wikimedia Commons Mary Ann was absolutely the kind of person you would want beside you if you were stuck on a deserted island. For years, fans debated the classic question: Ginger or Mary Ann? While Ginger had the glamour, Mary Ann brought warmth, kindness, and a down-to-earth charm that made her impossible not to love. She was the island’s heart in many ways, always ready with comforting advice, encouragement, and somehow a delicious meal whipped up from the island’s limited supplies. Everything about Mary Ann felt wholesome and dependable, which helped make her one of television’s most beloved characters. Before acting, former Miss Nevada Dawn Wells originally dreamed of becoming a ballerina, but life had other plans. Thankfully for television audiences, she found her way to the screen and later built a successful stage career as well. BEVERLY HILLS, CA - APRIL 11: Actress Dawn Wells attends the 2015 TV Land Awards at Saban Theatre on April 11, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) After Gilligan's Island, Wells continued appearing in television shows and films while also earning praise for her theater work. Away from acting, she taught drama and created a clothing line for people with disabilities called Wishing Wells Collections. In her later years, she battled dementia before the sad news broke that she had passed away in December 2020 at the age of 82 from COVID-19-related causes. With her passing, a beloved member of the island crew left us heartbroken, though fans still remember her fondly as the sweet and unforgettable Mary Ann. Is Bob Denver still alive? Gilligan and Bob Denver / CBS and IMDb He played the lovable, accident-prone Gilligan, the castaway who somehow managed to create chaos even on a deserted island. Before Bob Denver became forever tied to the SS Minnow, he landed his big Hollywood breakthrough on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis as Maynard G. Krebs, widely considered television’s first beatnik teenager. The series stood out at the time because it focused heavily on teenage characters, something television rarely did in that era. Ironically, that success nearly became a roadblock when legendary producer Sherwood Schwartz started casting Gilligan’s Island. Schwartz worried Maynard’s offbeat personality was too different from the innocent, bumbling character he envisioned. Thankfully, once the two met in person, Denver’s natural warmth and charm quickly won him the role that would define his career. GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, Bob Denver, (1964), 1964-1967. ph: Richard R. Hewett / TV Guide / Courtesy Everett Collection Denver also became known for his work on The Good Guys and Dusty's Trail, another comedy that felt like a spiritual cousin to Gilligan’s Island. Over the years, he frequently returned to his most famous role, appearing as Gilligan or even as himself in various television guest spots and reunion specials. Later in life, he shifted gears and found success as a radio personality, connecting with audiences in a more personal way. Away from entertainment, Denver and his wife Dreama devoted themselves to helping disabled families through the Denver Foundation, adding a meaningful chapter to his legacy beyond television. Sadly, Bob Denver passed away in 2005 at the age of 70 after battling pneumonia, leaving another empty seat among the island’s castaways. Is Alan Hale Jr. still alive? The Skipper and Alan Hale Jr. / CBS and Wikipedia He played Captain Jonas Grumby, though just about everybody knew him simply as The Skipper. Alan Hale Jr. brought a perfect mix of gruff authority and big-hearted warmth to the role, making the character feel like a frustrated father figure to Gilligan’s endless mishaps. As captain and owner of the doomed little tour boat, The Skipper spent much of the series trying to keep everyone sane while dreaming of rescue himself. Off-screen, Hale became so closely associated with the role that audiences loved seeing him lean into it long after the series ended. Following the success of Gilligan’s Island, he even opened a Los Angeles restaurant called The Lobster Barrel, which naturally embraced plenty of nautical charm. GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, Alan Hale Jr., 1964-67 In the years that followed, Hale appeared as a guest star on numerous television shows, including ALF and Simon & Simon, often playing versions of The Skipper because fans never seemed to tire of the character. He embraced the role with good humor for the rest of his life, becoming one of the most recognizable faces from classic television. Sadly, after battling cancer, Alan Hale Jr. passed away in 1990 at the age of 68, leaving yet another beloved castaway behind in television history. Is Jim Backus still alive? Thurston Howell III and Jim Backus (Mr. Magoo) / CBS and Facebook One problem that even money can't solve, getting stranded on an island. Thurston Howel III found that out the hard way. He played a rich man that realized that he couldn't use his money to get off the island. He is also known for voicing the character Mr. Magoo. Throughout the ‘30s and ‘40s, you’d be more likely to hear Backus on the radio, that's where he developed his popularity. But His voice became even more famous in 1949 thanks to his role as Mr. Magoo. He couldn’t know this at the time, but there were a few similarities between Magoo and Thurston Howell III. Both were painfully rich but STILL got into mischief their money couldn’t fix. For Thurston, it was usually Gilligan’s fault. For Magoo, it was from being the most nearsighted human in history. Change your prescription, Mr. Magoo! GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, Jim Backus, 1964-1967 Jim also appeared in Rebel Without a Cause, playing James Dean's character's father. He also starred in Don't Bother to Knock with Marilyn Monroe. Off the set and onto the green, Backus was an excellent golfer. Later in life, Backus became an author - he even wrote an autobiography with his wife, Forgive Us Our Digressions. He also died of pneumonia in 1989 at the age of 76. Is Natalie Schafer still alive? Everett Collection / Wikipedia Even before Gilligan’s Island, Natalie was typecast as a beautiful sophisticate with a fancy background. Schafer probably channeled her own love for the finer things, since she only agreed to do Gilligan’s pilot for the trip to Hawaii. Fittingly, she ended up marrying actor Louis Calhern who ALSO got typecast a lot in old, rich, upper-class roles. The pair divorced nine years later, though. GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, Natalie Schafer, 1964-1967 Life imitated art with Schafer because she actually had so much real estate investment, she raked in millions of dollars. Her wealth was less of a secret than her age, which she very stubbornly stayed vague about. Her contract stipulated no close-ups because she was 13 years older than Jim Backus. She played Thurston's wife, who depended on his money. She started her career on Broadway and later moved to films. Natalie appeared as a guest star on many shows after Gilligan's Island including Mayberry R.F.D. and The Brady Bunch. She also died from cancer at the age of 90 in 1991 and left all her money to Giligan’s Island co-star Dawn Wells to keep her dogs very well taken care of. Is Tina Louise still alive? Ginger and Tina Louise / CBS and Facebook Before she ever stepped onto the island as Ginger, Tina Louise was already building an impressive career in Hollywood. She began acting in 1955 and quickly turned heads both for her talent and glamorous screen presence. In 1958, she won the Golden Globe for New Star of the Year for her performance in God's Little Acre, helping establish her as one of the rising stars of the era. Louise also explored music early on, releasing the 1957 album It's Time for Tina, which paired her with legendary saxophonist Coleman Hawkins. Around that same time, the National Art Council famously named her the World’s Most Beautiful Redhead, and it is safe to say plenty of viewers agreed once Gilligan’s Island hit television screens. As Ginger, she played the glamorous movie star who always seemed ready with a song, a performance, or a clever way to brighten island life. GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, Tina Louise, 1964-67 Unlike some of her castmates, Louise chose not to participate in the later Gilligan’s Island reunion movies and spin-offs, instead continuing to pursue other acting opportunities. Many fans also remember her from the 1975 thriller The Stepford Wives, along with appearances on numerous popular television shows over the years, including a three-episode run on CHiPs. In the 2000s, she stepped back from acting for a period, though she later returned to the screen, including an appearance in the film Tapestry alongside Stephen Baldwin. Tina Louise today / ImageCollect Today, Tina Louise remains the final surviving main cast member of Gilligan’s Island, a living connection to one of television’s most beloved sitcoms. Now at the remarkable age of 92, she continues to be celebrated by generations of fans who still remember Ginger stepping onto that island in her glamorous gowns and impossible heels. Is Russell Johnson still alive? The Professor and Russell Johnson / CBS and IMDb High school science teacher Roy Hinkleyknown, better known as the professor. He ended up with the role after the original actor, John Gabriel, came off as too young for the vast amount of knowledge and education the professor was supposed to have. Johnson soared to great heights early on - literally - as an aviation cadet with the U.S. Air Force. His time with the Air Force brought him to the Pacific Theater of World War II, where he actually flew several dozen combat missions. Several injuries caused him to be honorably discharged and when he returned home, the GI Bill set him up with the Actors’ Lab in Hollywood. GILLIGAN'S ISLAND, Russell Johnson, 1964-1967 Quickly making a name for himself, Johnson caught the interest of Gilligan’s Island producers. As part of trying out, they wanted him to take his shirt off. Johnson refused, but he still got that role. Even with this hiccup, his time on the show left such an impression on him that he wrote an autobiography, Here on Gilligan's Isle. Later, he appeared in Dynasty, Beyond Westworld, and The Jeffersons. Sadly, he also died in 2014 from kidney disease. He was 89 years old.