Tina Louise as Ginger Grant
Tina Louise played Ginger Grant in the American TV show Gilligan’s Island. Her role in the show was a beautiful posh movie star expecting to get some well-needed relaxation on a cruise. Suddenly she found herself stranded on an island with random strangers. She did not enjoy being there but did help her fellow castaways frequently and even made a best friend- Mary Ann. She was known for her bold fashion statements, hair always perfectly intact and as stylish as ever.
Of course, ball gowns are absolutely perfect for a hot, deserted island. They may not be practical, but Ginger definitely brought the sass and allure.
Tina Louise Now
Tina was best known for her part in the show Gilligan’s Island as Ginger but did take on other passion projects. She acted in several shows and movies since her iconic role, recorded a solo album, wrote several books, and even volunteered to tutor kids in New York City with their literacy skills. At eighty-eight years old, Tina Louise is alive and well, most recently putting her original paintings on display at the Patterson Museum of Art.
Though her character, Ginger, was best friends with Mary Ann, played by Dawn Wells, in the show, they happened to be close in real life too. Tina is still thriving, but where is Dawn Wells today? Continue to read where Ginger’s on-screen best friend is today.
Larry Storch As Jackson Farrell
Larry Storch played Jackson Farrell, a criminal hiding from the police on the deserted island. He robbed a few banks and was on the run from the police; but tried to convince the other people stranded on the island that he was a good guy, even a doctor by profession. When his cover eventually gets blown, he holds the others hostage! Though in real life, Larry was a good guy, best known for his voiceovers.
Interestingly, he grew up during the Great Depression and never finished high school, so he found work as a comic for only twelve dollars a week!
Larry Storch Now
Larry appeared on so many famous shows like Sonny and Cher, The Ed Sullivan Show, and The Tonight Show. He was known for being charismatic, hilarious, and extremely talented. Though his part on Gilligan’s Island was one of a criminal, he couldn’t be further from that in his own life. He was incredibly well-versed in the entertainment world, racking up hundreds of credits. His final appearance on screen was in a show called, Medium Rare, back in 2010.
Sadly, he passed away at the age of 99 in his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, reportedly from natural causes, but some speculated from Alzheimer’s complications.
Dawn Wells As Mary Ann Summers
Dawn Wells played the sweetheart Mary Ann Summers in Gilligan’s Island. She was the crush of many viewers, radiating beauty. She was known to care for the other castaways and did most chores on the show. Cooking, cleaning, and keeping things in order were her forte. It became a running gag on the show that she could whip up a meal out of any random ingredients the castaways found on the island.
Mary Ann’s sweetness and generosity could sometimes be mistaken for weakness which unfortunately meant she was taken advantage of sometimes. But for the most part, the other castaways appreciated her and were always gracious for her presence.
Dawn Wells Now
Dawn Wells was on fire in the 1960s, frequenting many tv shows with new roles and being seen as America’s latest sweetheart for that time. Though it didn’t last very long, as the 1970s approached, her career had already quieted down. Eventually, she slowly stopped acting and encountered many financial struggles. This resulted in her fans starting a GoFundMe page for her that raised over $200,000, a sad twist of fate. From fame and attention to relying on the generosity of strangers.
Dawn sadly passed away in 2020 from COVID-19 -related causes; however, she will live on in people’s hearts as a favorite character on the show.
Natalie Schafer As Lovey Howell
Natalie’s famous character, Mrs. Lovely Howell, in Gilligan’s Island, was a high-class woman endowed with riches, nice clothes, and jewels. Lovely Howell didn’t seem to be the person who would survive ship wreckage and scavenging for food. How could she possibly cope when her one love in life was money? However, the way Natalie brought this character to life was magnificent. She conveyed that even though she was used to the finer things in life, she could handle and even find joy in her new island life.
Her character brought such a great comedic relief to the show, and of course, her beauty and fashion were bold and always entertaining to witness on screen.