.png)
Growing up watching Gilligan's Island is a given for any Gen Xer. The story follows seven people who get stranded on an island together: A skipper named Jonas Grumby (known as "The Skipper"); his first mate, Gilligan; a millionaire, Thurston Howell III and his wife, Lovey; a movie star, Ginger; a high-school science professor, Roy Hinkley (called "The Professor"); and a nice country girl, Mary Ann.
Here are some lesser-known facts about the famed tv series and the actors who starred in it.
Veterans and Mary Ann
As previously mentioned, Mary Ann was a fan-favorite among the male audience. Interestingly enough, Mary Ann was also a huge figure for veterans. Apparently, she helped them "keep going" during tough times.
Dawn Wells told Forbes, "You know, many vets from Vietnam have said that Mary Ann kept them going, helping them make it through, kept them positive and focused on returning safely. They kept my picture in their helmets. I have the utmost respect for what it takes to be one of America's finest, and am very thankful for what they do."
Tension Between Castmates
Apparently, Tina Louise never interacted with her castmates outside of literally acting in a scene with them. The 1965 TV Guide wrote, "Denver will not say why he and the glamorous Tina do not get along, nor will any of the castaways, they just ignore her, and she ignores them."
It went on to say, "Between scenes, while the other six principals chat and tell jokes together, she sits off by herself. And recently when Denver was asked to pose for pictures with her, he adamantly refused. Part of Louise's dissatisfaction with the series was that she had expected to be the star of the show."
Fan-Love for Mary Ann
Mary Ann was an obvious fan favorite on the show. Dawn Wells was once rumored to have received 3,000 to 5,000 fan letters a week! She confirmed in an interview that that was not true, but she did get a lot of them.
She also said that the letters got way too creepy and way too personal. "I'd say some of the fans stretched their imagination quite a bit. It's a very interesting thing with men because they follow you. I get proposed to all the time." One fan even told her that he had been writing her for 35 years... Yikes.
Jerry Van Dyke
The creators actually wanted Jerry Van Dyke to play the lead role of Gilligan, but he wasn't too keen on being part of the show. He said the script was "the worst thing I'd ever read."
"I had a lot of problems with the agency, because they were trying to push me into taking [Gilligan's Island], but that's the joke; I turned it down and took My Mother the Car. But, again, it was really good, because I'd have been forever known as Gilligan. So, that worked out, too!"
Jayne Mansfield
Bombshell blonde Jayne Mansfield almost joined the cast when the show was recast for a new season. The character of Ginger was going to become a movie star instead of a secretary, so Jayne Mansfield was approached for the job. She turned it down at the suggestion of her third husband.
Mansfield continued to take on small parts and films and was booked for nightclub appearances, but that was it. She was tragically killed in a car accident in Louisiana on her way to a TV interview. She was 34.
S.S. Minnow
The castaway's boat wasn't named after the fish called Minnow. It was actually named for Newton Minow, a producer whose creator Sherwood Schwartz believed "ruined television." Minow was the chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in 1961.
He commonly snubbed television as a "vast wasteland." Basically, they just wanted to name a dingy boat that "ran on steam" to snub the chairman.
Gilligan
There's some debate as to whether or not Gilligan's first name is actually Gilligan. Bob Denver, who played the character, insists that his first name really is Gilligan. The creator of the show, Sherwood Schwartz, has said that Gilligan's first name is actually Willy.
"Almost every time I see Bob Denver we still argue," Schwartz said. "He thinks Gilligan is his first name, and I think it's his last name. Because in the original presentation, it's Willy Gilligan. But he doesn't believe it, and he doesn't want to discuss it. He insists the name is Gilligan."
Dawn Wells' Royalties
Dawn Wells is a smart, smart woman. The original contract stated that the actors were guaranteed a certain amount of money per episode plus payment only for the first five reruns of each episode.
Wells' husband, Larry Rosen, told her to ask for an amendment to that clause. The producers agreed, not thinking it would matter. Well, 50 years later, she is still getting money from the reruns!
The Cheap Millionaire
The actor who played Mr. Howell was known for being incredibly stingy in real life, which is ironic considering he played a millionaire on the show. According to Dawn Wells, Jim Backus would invite her and Natalie Schafer out to lunch and then realized that he "forgot" his wallet.
The two ladies were nice enough to cover his bill for the time being. Apparently, he "forgot" about it all together and Schafer eventually gave him a bill to pay her back the money. How funny is that?
Broken Arms
Alan Hale Jr. was a real trooper and no one had any idea. Sherwood Schwartz said that Hale off-handedly mentioned that he should "take care of his arm" during a wrap party. Schwartz was confused and Hale admitted that he had broken it a few weeks ago during a stunt gone wrong.
Title
No one had any idea that he was even slightly hurt during the ordeal. He didn't say anything because he didn't want to disrupt filming. Can you imagine?
Dawn Wells and Her Career
Dawn Wells was a small-time television actor before her debut as Mary Ann on Gilligans Island. After her time on the show, she went into the theater world and starred in over 100 productions. She even had a one-woman show in Las Vegas at the MGM Hotel and Casino in 1985.
The Failed Spin-Off
Failed spin-offs are always tragic. CBS president Jim Aubrey hated Gilligan's Island and didn't like how the show came to be. So, in an attempt to re-do it "right" he went on to create The Bailey's Balboa. This show followed the Bailey family who lived at a beach resort. It was canceled after a single season and Aubrey was fired.
Credits Mishap
The original credits roll for the show was a total mess. Two major characters weren't even mentioned! In fact, the last person mentioned was Tina Louise who was then followed by "and the rest." Bob Denver had to tell producers that Russell Johnson and Dawn Wells should be added to the opening credits.
The Schwartz Family
Sherwood Schwartz left quite the legacy among the public and his family due to his work with Gilligan's Island. His daughter, Hope Juber, said that she still has The Skipper's hat that Alan Hale Jr. gifted her father. She said, "Alan Hale Jr. presented him with the bronzed hat as a meaningful, sentimental gesture. I think that by bronzing the hat it was a way of not only keeping it protected and preserved but also immortalizing it."
Gilligan's Planet
Gilligan's Planet featured a dinosaur, but where exactly did that idea come from? CBS executive producer Hunt Stromberg Jr. wanted to have a dinosaur in the live-action TV show. Luckily, Schwartz absolutely hated the idea and turned it down citing "budget restraints." Stromberg got his way eventually, though.
Fans Got Older
The show had been over for decades when Russell Johnson got a call to speak at a biochemical conference in San Francisco. Russell, who wasn't a real professor and only played one on the TV show, said that he released everyone at the conference as a Gilligan's Island fan all grown up. "There were four or five hundred PhDs there, and every one of them was a Gilligan's Island fan."
All Of Ginger's Actors
The actor of Ginger has changed many times over the years. Tina Louise was obviously the OG, but she didn't continue to pursue the character after filming was done. Judith Baldwin, Constance Forslund, Jane Webb, and Dawn Wells have all had a piece of Ginger.
The Skipper
The Skipper actually has a name! He isn't just Skipper the Skipper. His full name is Jonas Gumby and was only said once in the very first episode. This is something that only hardcore fans probably picked up on.
Bob Denver's Close Call
Remember that scene with an actual lion in it? Yeah, that didn't go very smoothly. The lion jumped a Denver in the middle of the scene and he was left to defend himself. The trainer had to literally tackle the lion to the ground to get him away from Denver. It was close!
Grand Audition Entrance
Alan Hale Jr. was filming for Bullet for a Bad Man in Utah when he received a call for the audition. He snuck off set one day after filming and got to LA via horseback, hitchhiking airplane, and taxi. Talk about dedication!
The Millionaire's Wife
Natalie Schafer played Mrs. Lovey Howell, aka the millionaire's wife. In reality, she really was a millionaire! She left her fortune to her poodle after she passed away. When the poodle passed, the money was donated to the Motion Picture & Television Fund Hospital.
What's My Age Again?
Back in the day, it was super common for women to lie about their age and go to great lengths to do so. Natalie Schafer was actually over 10 years older than her husband in the show when she was originally supposed to be slightly younger! Her contract even stated that there would be no close-up shots to reveal her age. She's quite the character!
Setting the Stage
Obviously, they didn't film on an actual island. The set was built by CBS in Studio City, California in 1964. They tried to film two episodes in Malibu but the weather was way too unpredictable.
Aired Bloopers
Who doesn't love a blooper? There were some accidents that were put into the episode, did you catch them? For starters, Bob Denver's Wedding Ring was still on his finger in the episode "They're Off and Running." In "The Friendly Physician" you can see buildings over the trees that surround the lagoon. That was LA!
Little Buddy
The nickname "Little Buddy" wasn't actually scripted. That was the name Alan Hale Jr. used in real life! Schwartz ended up writing it into the show because he felt that it was super authentic to Hale's character.
The Movie
Fans were not pleased when the show was canceled. There were so many unanswered questions! The film, Rescue from Gilligan's Island, was meant to tie up those loose ends in 1978. Surprisingly, fans were super happy with the result.
No Singing for Dawn
There was a good amount of singing in the show, but Dawn Wells was banned from participating. The actor was totally tone-deaf, and her character was often barred from singing along with the rest of the crew.
Tina Louise and Gilligan's Island
Tina Louise did her best to break from the Gilligan's Island name, but it never really worked. She actually blames the show for ruining her career and not getting her cast for other roles. She lives in New York City and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She's spent a good amount of time advocating for child literacy.
A Fourth Movie?
Sherwood Schwartz had plans for a fourth movie that revolved around the castaways finding out about the nuclear war that wiped out civilization. They were going to be the last people on Earth and had to have children with each other to keep things going. The story didn't work out.
Raquel Welch
Raquel Welch was almost brought on to play Mary Ann instead of Dawn Wells. Apparently, producers felt that she wasn't enough of a "girl next door" to fulfill the role. She went on to do other great things and Wells was brought on. We think it worked out nicely!
Natalie Schafer Did Her Own Stunts
Natalie Schafer was a force to be reckoned with. She was well into her 60s but was determined to perform her own stunts. She jumped into the lagoon or fake quicksand with no hesitation and nailed every scene.
The Show's Cancellation
The way Gilligan's Island was canceled was truly insane. The show aired Monday nights at 7:30 and was competing with The Monkees. The show Gunsmoke was in the midst of getting canceled, and fans were pressuring CBS to reschedule the show. So, in order to make room for Gunsmoke, CBS decided to cancel Gilligan's Island last minute. Most of the cast had been on vacation at the time and came home to some really sad news!
Bob Denver's Career
Before Gilligan's, Bob Denver was a comedian. After the show, he went on to star in other comedy series such as The Good Guys, Dusty's Trail, and Far Out Space Nuts. He also starred in Broadway shows and became an FM radio personality in his hometown of Princeton, West Virginia.
Military Service
Russell Johnson served in the military before becoming an actor. He received a purple heart for his time in the air force while in the Philippines. Johnson used the GI Bill to pay for acting lessons which helped launch his career. He passed away at the age of 89.
People Called the Coast Guard
Some viewers were left quite confused by the show. The Coast Guard received multiple calls about the castaways with viewers begging them to help. One person even wrote a letter that read, "For several weeks, now, we have seen American citizens stranded on some Pacific Island. We spend millions on foreign aid. Why not send one U.S. destroyer to rescue those poor people before they starve to death?"
Prop and Set Crew
This show was super involved in terms of props and sets. Each day required a lot of hands-on activities to set up and break down! Almost every prop was handmade from wood and coconuts to make it feel authentic as possible.
Symbolism Matters
The characters' personalities were not chosen at random; they were meant to represent different pillars of society. For example, Ginger was an over-the-top posh personality to represent vanity. The Skipper, who had a name, was only referred to as his job title, which represented those in the working class.
The Age Old Question
The entire show was stemmed from that one philosophical question everyone has been asked: If you were stranded on a desert island, what one item would you like to have? Producer Sherwood Schwartz was a student when he was asked that question and it stuck with him long enough to pitch the sitcom.
Martin Landau and Barbara Bain
Married couple Martin Landau and Barbara Bain were one of Hollywood's favorite couples. They appeared together in Mission: Impossible and Space: 1999. Little did anyone know that the 1981 film The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island would be the last time they ever performed together. They divorced in 1993.
Star Wars Composer
John Williams wrote the original calypso theme song that was heard in the pilot. It was a haunting calypso sang by Sherwood Schwartz himself. Eventually, he went on to curate the music for Star Wars and Steven Spielberg. Talk about humble beginnings!
Half-Mast
It's quite easy to miss it, but it's a very nice Easter egg. The pilot episode was filmed in November 1963. On the final day of production in Hawaii, JFK had been assassinated. They filmed the opening credits for the first season and subtly featured an American flag at half-mast to honor the late president.
Previous Co-Stars
Despite the fact that Tina Louise and Bob Denver haven't had a great relationship, Gilligan's Island was not their first rodeo. They co-starred in the summer surf flick For Those Who Think Young. The comedy also featured Nancy Sinatra and Ellen Burstyn.
The Man on the Radio
The man on the radio is surprisingly uncredited. Surprising because the voice belongs to Charles Maxwell who was famous for his roles in Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Lawman, Rawhide, and The Rifleman. He was never credited (not even in passing!) but it was his longest-running role ever.
The Ballad of Davy Crockett
The first version of "The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle" was written by Schwartz and sung by the Wellingtons. They're also known for "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" from the mini-series Davy Crockett. This is the song where the first version only named two characters!
Gilligans + Roseanne
Gilligan's Island and Roseanne did a little mash-up one year. The two shows were filmed on the same soundstage so the producers decided to have a little fun. The castaways turned into Roseanne characters (Dawn Wells as Darlene and Bob Denver as Jackie) while the Roseanne characters became the castaways!
Batman Cameo
Alan Hale Jr. played a chef named Gilligan on Batman. In the episode "The Ogg and I," the police chief enters a diner and talked to the chef. The chief says, "Right, Gilligan, one large milk and a hot pastrami." Interesting cameo!
The Wellingtons
The Wellingtons ended up appearing on one episode of the show, "Don't Bug the Mosquitos." They appeared as a Beatles parody band called The Mosquitos.
The Failed Spinoff
Sherwood Schwartz ended up promoting a failed spin-off of the series after it was canceled. Schwartz was riding the high from The Brady Bunch and wanted to revive Gilligans as an old Western. Bob Denver came back to the show alongside Forrest Tucket. It was canceled after one season.
Off Hawaii
People were always asking: Where is this island exactly? The show has given viewers hints over the years. The island's position is said to be approximately -140 latitude by 10 longitudes. That would be around 250 miles off of the coast of Hawaii.
Two Secretaries
The goal of Gilligan's Island was to showcase people from different walks of life. For some reason, there were originally going to be two secretaries. Obviously, they changed it up. That would be a bit much!