Dawn Wells, the real-life Mary Ann Summers of “Gilligan’s Island,” was simply as sunny and down-to-earth off-screen as she was on-screen, her co-star Tina Louise, the present’s solely surviving solid member, informed The Put up Wednesday.
Louise, who performed the indelible flame-haired Ginger Grant on the CBS present, spoke fondly of Wells, who died at age 82 Wednesday in Los Angeles after battling COVID-19.
“I’m very unhappy,” stated Louise, who infamously declined to seem in revivals and reboots or focus on the present over the a long time because it resulted in 1967.
“Dawn was a really great particular person. I would like individuals to recollect her as somebody who at all times had a smile on her face,” stated Louise, who lives on Manhattan’s East Aspect. “Nothing is extra essential than household and he or she was household. She’s going to at all times be remembered.”
Louise, an everlasting magnificence who requested that The Put up not point out her age, was shocked to listen to about her buddy’s dying throughout a telephone name from a Hollywood buddy. “No one needs to get that form of information — particularly that approach, with this horrible illness,” she stated, including that the health-conscious actress is doing her half to fortify herself. “I’m doing my train and having a vegetarian lunch immediately,” she stated, including somberly, “Every little thing’s sophisticated now.”
The beloved present, which ran for 3 seasons from 1964 till 1967, and adopted a shipwrecked group of stranded strangers dwelling on an island, is as enduring as ever — particularly through the lockdown, when new generations found its endearing charms.
“We have been a part of the great present that everybody loves and has been an important supply of consolation, particularly throughout these instances,” stated Louise.
Whereas she notoriously declined to seem within the 1978 TV film “Rescue from Gilligan’s Island,” 2001’s “Surviving Gilligan’s Island” and numerous different revivals, she bristles at longtime rumors that she resented the position and present.
“By no means true — I beloved doing my half, particularly after they actually began writing for my character, initially billed as a ‘Marilyn Monroe’ sort of character,” Louise informed The Put up. “A special director took over and actually began to write down for my character,” she added, admitting she initially thought about quitting. “I actually beloved my character.”
She additionally waved off any comparisons between the beloved girl-next-door Mary Ann and her less-inhibited film star roommate, Ginger. “There’s a personality for each particular person. Everybody can determine with a distinct particular person,” she stated, noting the tight-knit kinship of the seamless solid. “We have been at all times a household. She had monumental followers.”
Whereas she stated “Dawn was great in her half,” she even had particular moments together with her late co-star, recalling her favourite reminiscence when she was invited to Wells’ home circa 1966.
“I had simply gotten married and it was Thanksgiving. I didn’t know methods to prepare dinner significantly. She invited me to her home together with her mother,” stated Louise, who discovered methods to make a potato soufflé recipe that turned a vacation custom. “It turned one thing I did yearly at Thanksgiving,” she stated. “I by no means forgot that.”
Louise, who went on to star in “The Stepford Wives,” “The Love Boat” and “Dallas,” stated she’s grateful for the outpouring from “Gilligan’s Island” followers these previous a number of months. “We introduced a number of pleasure to individuals and nonetheless do. This present is an escape from so many issues occurring,” she stated. “Fathers share it with their kids now. I get letters on a regular basis about that.”
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Wells, who guest-starred on well-liked reveals together with “Bonanza” and “Maverick,” would at all times be indelibly linked to her lovable “Gilligan’s Island” character, stated Louise. “She ought to at all times be remembered with a smile on her face — she was an individual stuffed with pleasure, and shared her pleasure with everybody.”
Whereas it had been some time because the two had spoken, Louise stated Wells is etched in her coronary heart and followers nonetheless write to inform her they purchased the collection field set for his or her kids.
“The present will stay without end — and so will she. We’re going to recollect her with a smile.”
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