Dawn Wells, who starred as Mary Ann in the popular 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” has died of COVID-19 complications, according to Variety. She was 82.
Wells, a native of Reno, Nevada, also appeared in “77 Sunset Strip,” “Maverick,” “Bonanza,” “The Joey Bishop Show” and “Hawaiian Eye.”
Credit: Jason Merritt
Credit: Jason Merritt
Publicist Harlan Boll announced her death, Variety reported.
Wells died peacefully at a living facility in Los Angeles, Boll told The Associated Press.
“There is so much more to Dawn Wells” than the “Gilligan’s Island” character that brought her fame, Boll said in a statement.
Besides TV, film and stage acting credits, her other real-life roles included teacher and motivational speaker, Boll said.
Tina Louise, 86, who played Ginger the movie star, is the last surviving member of a “Gilligan’s Island” cast that included Bob Denver as the title character; Alan Hale Jr. as the Skipper; Jim Backus and Natalie Schafer as wealthy passengers Thurston and Lovey Howell; and Russell Johnson, known as the Professor.
Wells represented Nevada in the 1959 Miss America pageant and was on several TV series before being cast in “Gilligan’s Island” in 1964.
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Credit: undefined
Wells’ comely-but-innocent Mary Ann complemented Louise’s worldly Ginger, and both became innocuous ’60s TV versions of sex symbols.
Wells’ wardrobe included a gingham dress and shorts that modestly covered her belly button, with both costumes on display in Los Angeles at The Hollywood Museum.
TV movies spinoffs from the series followed, including 1978′s “Rescue from Gilligan’s Island,” but Wells also moved on to other TV guest roles and films including the 2002 vacuum cleaner salesman comedy “Super Sucker” with Jeff Daniels. She starred on stage in dozens of plays, including “Chapter Two” and “The Odd Couple.”
Two years ago, a friend launched a GoFundMe drive to help cover medical and other costs for Wells, although she protested she didn’t need the assistance. She did end up acknowledging her need and accepted more than $180,000 in donations.
Wells is survived by her stepsister, Weslee Wells.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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