Dawn Wells, best known as Mary Ann on Gilligan’s Island, dies at 82 of COVID-19 complications

#Dawn #Wells – who is best known for her work starring as #Mary #Ann #Summers on #Gilligan’s #Island – has died at 82 of causes related to COVID-19.

#Her publicist #Harlan #Boll announced that the actress had died in #Los #Angeles on #Wednesday morning.

#She starred as the wholesome farm-girl from #Winfield, #Kansas on the iconic show throughout its storied 98-episode run from 1964 to 1967.

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#Signature role: #She starred as the wholesome farm-girl from #Winfield, #Kansas on the iconic show throughout its storied run from 1964 to 1967

#Other than #Tina #Louise – who played #Hollywood movie star #Ginger #Grant – #Wells was the last surviving member of the cast of the legendary series.

The series created by #Sherwood #Schwartz followed the comic adventures of seven castaways that attempted to survive on an island after being shipwrecked.

#It featured an ensemble cast including #Wells, #Louise #Bob #Denver, #Alan #Hale #Jr., #Jim #Backus, #Natalie #Schafer, and #Russell #Johnson.

‘#Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale’: #Other than #Tina #Louise (center) – who played movie star #Ginger #Grant – #Wells was the last surviving member of the cast of the legendary series, as they are seen on the show in 1996 with #Bob #Denver who played the titular role

A three hour tour: The series created by #Sherwood #Schwartz followed the comic adventures of seven castaways that attempted to survive on an island after being shipwrecked, as she and co-star #Russell #Johnson (#Professor #Roy #Hinkley)  are seen on the #Los #Angeles set in an image dated #April 15, 1966

#All thirty-six episodes of the first season were filmed and black and white and were later colorized for syndication as the second and third seasons along with the film sequences were all filmed in color.

#Wells had beat out 350 actresses for the role of #Mary #Ann #Summers.

#She also returned to her signature role for three sequel films which aired from 1978 to 1981 titled #Rescue from #Gilligan’s #Island, The #Castaways on #Gilligan’s #Island, and The #Harlem #Globetrotters on #Gilligan’s #Island.

#Trailblazing: #All thirty-six episodes of the first season were filmed and black and white and were later colorized for syndication as the second and third seasons along with the film sequences were all filmed in color, as she, #Russell #Johnson (left) and #Alan #Hale #Jr, (#Jonas ‘The #Skipper’ #Grumby) are seen in a still from an episode which aired in #October 3, 1964

The gang is (almost) all here: The cast of #Gilligan’s #Island, from left, #Russell #Johnson, as the professor; #Jim #Backus as #Thurston #Howell III; #Natalie #Schafer, as #Mrs. #Howell III; #Alan #Hale #Jr., as the skipper; #Bob #Denver, as #Gilligan; #Judith #Baldwin replacing original cast member #Tina #Louise, as #Ginger, and #Dawn #Wells, as #Mary #Ann, in #Los #Angeles back in #October 1978

#Enterprising: #She also wrote #Mary #Ann’s #Gilligan’s #Island #Cookbook, as she is seen with #Russell #Johnson at a book signing event in #Los #Angeles back in #December 1993

The talented star also voiced #Mary #Ann in addition to #Louise’s role #Ginger #Grant on spin-off animated series #Gilligan’s #Planet 1982.

The brunette beauty also went on to reprise her iconic role for cameos over decades including on ALF (1987), #Baywatch (1992), #Herman’s #Head (1993), #Lover’s #Knot (1995), and #Meego (1997).

#She also wrote #Mary #Ann’s #Gilligan’s #Island #Cookbook which was released in 1993.

#Before her #Hollywood career, #Wells – who was born in #Reno – was crowned #Miss #Nevada in 1959 and went on to represent the #Silver #State at the 1960 #Miss #America #Pageant in #Atlantic #City, #New #Jersey.

#Legend: #Wells (seen in #Hollywood back in #March 2008) had a storied acting career as she appeared in more than 150 series and several movies in addition to stints on #Broadway

#Icon: #Wells at the #Daytime #Creative #Arts #Emmy #Awards at the #Westin #Bonaventure #Hotel in #Los #Angeles back in #April 29, 2016

#Wells had a storied acting career as she appeared in more than 150 series and several movies in addition to stints on #Broadway.

#She made her #Hollywood debut on ABC series The #Roaring 20s playing #Gloria in the episode #War #With The #NightHawkers in 1961.

#Before her big break on #Gilligan’s #Island, the actress starred in episodes of several television series including The #Joey #Bishop #Show, The #Cheyenne #Show, #Sunset #Strip, #Maverick, and #Bonanza.

#Sought-after: #Wells went on to make several guest star appearances on The #Love #Boat, #Fantasy #Island, #Roseanne, The F.B.I. (seen in 1969), #Wagon #Train, #Tale #Of #Wells #Fargo, The #Detectives, The #Everglades, and #It’s A #Man’s #World

#Wells went on to make several guest star appearances on The #Love #Boat, #Fantasy #Island, #Roseanne, The F.B.I., #Wagon #Train, #Tale #Of #Wells #Fargo, The #Detectives, The #Everglades, and #It’s A #Man’s #World.

#She also starred in feature films including 1975 independent film #Winterhawk, #Palm #Springs #Weekend, The #New #Interns,  #Return #To #Boggy #Creek, #Soulmates, #Forever #For #Now, and #Super #Sucker.

The actress may be best known on the big screen for her role as real-life victim #Katie #Starks in 1976 thriller The #Town #That #Dreaded #Sundown which is loosely based on the 1946 #Texarkana #Moonlight #Murders.

#Stunning: The actress at the TV #Land #Awards in #Santa #Monica, #California on #June 8, 2008

#Her only marriage was to talent agent #Larry #Rosen in 1962 as they divorced five years later in 1967 just as #Gilligan’s #Island was ending.

A #GoFundMe page was set up to help #Wells cope with financial trouble in 2018.

#Wells is survived by her stepsister, #Weslee, among others.

#As she is also known for her humanitarian efforts and charity work, donations may be made to the #Elephant #Sanctuary, #Terry #Lee #Wells #Nevada #Discovery #Museum, or the #Shambala #Preserve.

#Shining bright: #As #Wells (seen with a male guest at an event in #Los #Angeles back in #February 2019) is also known for her humanitarian efforts and charity work, donations may be made to the #Elephant #Sanctuary, #Terry #Lee #Wells #Nevada #Discovery #Museum, or the #Shambala #Preserve