Gilligan’s Island was a popular American sitcom that aired from 1964 to 1967 on CBS. The show followed the adventures of seven castaways who were stranded on an uncharted island after a three-hour boat tour went wrong. The show was created by Sherwood Schwartz and starred Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Tina Louise, Russell Johnson, and Dawn Wells. The show was known for its humor, catchy theme song, and memorable characters. But what happened to the cast of Gilligan’s Island after the show ended? Here is a look at where they are now.
Cast of Gilligan’s Island
- Bob Denver as Gilligan: He was the bumbling and lovable first mate of the S.S. Minnow, who often caused trouble for the other castaways with his clumsiness and naivety. He was also the best friend of the Skipper, who often called him “little buddy”.
- Alan Hale Jr. as Jonas “The Skipper” Grumby: He was the captain of the S.S. Minnow and the leader of the castaways. He was a good-natured and brave man, who often tried to keep the group together and find a way to escape the island. He also had a temper and frequently scolded Gilligan for his mistakes.
- Jim Backus as Thurston Howell III: He was a wealthy and snobbish businessman, who was traveling with his wife, Lovey. He was obsessed with money and status, and often acted as if he was still living in his mansion. He also had a soft spot for Gilligan, whom he called “boy”.
- Natalie Schafer as Mrs. Lovey Howell: She was the wife of Thurston Howell III and a socialite. She was a kind and elegant woman, who enjoyed the finer things in life. She also had a sense of humor and often joined in the fun with the other castaways.
- Tina Louise as Ginger Grant: She was a glamorous and seductive movie star, who was traveling to Hawaii for a film role. She was a talented and intelligent woman, who often used her charm and wit to get what she wanted. She also had a friendly and caring personality, and was close to Mary Ann.
- Russell Johnson as Roy Hinkley: He was a brilliant and resourceful professor, who specialized in botany, geology, and physics. He was the brains of the group, who often invented various devices and solutions to help the castaways survive and escape the island. He also had a calm and rational demeanor, and was respected by the others.
- Dawn Wells as Mary Ann Summers: She was a sweet and innocent farm girl from Kansas, who won a trip to Hawaii in a radio contest. She was a cheerful and optimistic woman, who often cooked and cleaned for the group. She also had a crush on the Professor, and was best friends with Ginger.
Where are they now?
- Bob Denver passed away in 2005 at the age of 70 from complications of cancer. He had a long and successful career in television, starring in shows such as The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Good Guys, Dusty’s Trail, and Far Out Space Nuts. He also appeared in movies such as Who’s Minding the Mint?, The Sweet Ride, and Back to the Beach. He was married four times and had four children.
- Alan Hale Jr. passed away in 1990 at the age of 68 from respiratory failure. He also had a prolific career in television and movies, appearing in shows such as The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Gunsmoke, The Lucy Show, and Magnum, P.I. He also appeared in movies such as The Lady Takes a Sailor, The West Point Story, and The Giant Spider Invasion. He was married twice and had four children.
- Jim Backus passed away in 1989 at the age of 76 from pneumonia. He was a versatile and acclaimed actor, who voiced the cartoon character Mr. Magoo and played James Dean’s father in Rebel Without a Cause. He also starred in shows such as I Married Joan, The Jim Backus Show, and Mr. Magoo. He also appeared in movies such as It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, The Wheeler Dealers, and Pete’s Dragon. He was married once and had one child.
- Natalie Schafer passed away in 1991 at the age of 90 from cancer. She was a stage and screen actress, who appeared in Broadway plays such as Lady in the Dark, The Doughgirls, and Romanoff and Juliet. She also appeared in movies such as The Body Disappears, Dishonored Lady, and Anastasia. She was married once and had no children.
- Tina Louise is still alive and active at the age of 87. She continued to act and write after Gilligan’s Island, starring in shows such as The Love Boat, Dallas, and L.A. Law. She also appeared in movies such as The Stepford Wives, The Happy Ending, and Johnny Suede. She also wrote books such as Sunday and When I Grow Up. She was married once and had one child.
- Russell Johnson passed away in 2014 at the age of 89 from kidney failure. He also had a distinguished career in television and movies, appearing in shows such as The Twilight Zone, The Invaders, and MacGyver. He also appeared in movies such as This Island Earth, The Space Children, and The Horror at 37,000 Feet. He was a veteran of World War II and received a Purple Heart. He was married three times and had two children.
- Dawn Wells is still alive and active at the age of 83. She also continued to act and write after Gilligan’s Island, starring in shows such as The Love Boat, Growing Pains, and Baywatch. She also appeared in movies such as Winterhawk, The Town That Dreaded Sundown, and Super Sucker. She also wrote books such as Mary Ann’s Gilligan’s Island Cookbook and What Would Mary Ann Do?. She was married once and had no children.
The Legacy of Gilligan’s Island
- Gilligan’s Island spawned several spin-offs and reunions, such as The New Adventures of Gilligan, Gilligan’s Planet, Rescue from Gilligan’s Island, The Castaways on Gilligan’s Island, and The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island. The cast also reunited for several TV specials and documentaries, such as Surviving Gilligan’s Island, The Real Gilligan’s Island, and Gilligan’s Island: A Pop Culture Phenomenon.
- Gilligan’s Island was syndicated and released on home media, reaching new generations of fans and becoming a cult classic. The show was also nominated for several awards, such as the TV Land Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, and the Emmy Awards.
- Gilligan’s Island had a lasting impact on pop culture, inspiring parodies, references, homages, and tributes in various media, such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, South Park, SpongeBob SquarePants, Weird Al Yankovic, and The Lego Movie. The show also influenced other works of fiction, such as Lost, The Hunger Games, and The Martian.
Conclusion
Gilligan’s Island was a show that entertained and delighted millions of viewers with its humor, adventure, and charm. The cast of Gilligan’s Island were talented and beloved actors who brought their characters to life and made them unforgettable. Although some of them are no longer with us, their legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of their fans. Gilligan’s Island was a show that made us laugh, cry, and dream of being stranded on a tropical paradise.
