‘Gilligan’s Island’ star Dawn Wells dies, COVID-19 cited

LOS ANGELES (AP) — #Dawn #Wells, who played the wholesome #Mary #Ann among a misfit band of shipwrecked castaways on the 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s #Island,” died #Wednesday of causes related to COVID-19, her publicist said. #She was 82.

#Wells died peacefully at a residential facility in #Los #Angeles, publicist #Harlan #Boll said. “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 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, a native of #Reno, #Nevada, represented her state in the 1959 #Miss #America pageant and quickly pivoted to an acting career. #Her early TV roles were on shows including “77 #Sunset #Strip,” “Maverick” and “Bonanza.”

Then came “Gilligan’s #Island,” a goofy, good-natured comedy that aired from 1964-67 that became an unlikely but indelible part of popular culture. #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.

#Dawn is survived by her stepsister, #Weslee #Wells.