Dawn Wells speaks of the relationship between the cast of “Gilligan’s Island”
The old but gold TV shows not only remind us of what life was like back in the day, but also bring a feeling of nostalgia for the good old times.
One of the standout shows of the 1960s was the CBS sitcom *Gilligan’s Island*. Created and produced by Sherwood Schwartz, the show followed the adventures of seven castaways trying to survive on a deserted island after being shipwrecked. It aired for three seasons and became very popular with viewers.
Most of the cast members were already well-known when *Gilligan’s Island* aired, but one actress was looking for a breakthrough in her career. Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann Summers, captured the hearts of fans as the girl next door.
In fact, Wells’ role was supposed to be a minor one, but people loved her so much that she became one of the most beloved actresses on the show.
Dawn Wells started acting while she was in college in Columbia, Missouri, where she discovered the drama department and participated in a few plays. After graduating, she moved to Hollywood, the center of the film industry. Like many new actors, the beautiful and talented Wells, who had won several beauty pageants including Miss Nevada, began her career with small roles.
“I went to work right away,” she remembered. “I had training and studied for it, but I was also lucky. There was a lot being filmed in the 60s on television. I probably had two or three auditions a day. I did a few movies, but I also got guest spots on many TV shows. You could find work quickly.”
After gaining fame from *Gilligan’s Island*, Wells looked back on the days leading up to that role. “I went in and auditioned with so many other girls. There were quite a few of us. We all grew up together, and all the young actresses were auditioning. I got the role, but you had to go to so many auditions, and you never knew what would happen.”
“I had an idea of what the character should look like, wearing denim and a ponytail,” she continued. “I knew who she was, and when you do a lot of stage work, you can really connect with the character. They didn’t provide a description. I don’t even remember how many people auditioned for the role. You’d audition for two or three days in a row, and they would either call you back or not.”
The cast members all became really good friends.
Wells talked about the relationships among the cast in an interview with Forbes. “You don’t think of Gilligan as a romantic partner. Alan [Hale, the Skipper] was more like a father figure. But the professor had it all: good looks, a sense of humor, and intelligence. Bob [Denver] and I were really close friends, and so was Alan [Hale]. He was so strong that he could pick up Tina [Louise] in one arm and me in the other at the same time. I also became really good friends with Ms. Howell.”
Fans, however, somehow always chose between the character of Wells and that of co-star Tina Louise who played the glamorous movie star Ginger Grant.
Wells was married only once, and her marriage lasted eight years. “I don’t believe in just living together. You either commit to it or you don’t,” she said, explaining that her busy life often kept her on the road.
The actress was also part of a number of spin-offs of Gilligan’s Island, but turned to the stage instead of focusing on film.
