‘Gilligan’s Island’ star Tina Louise pays tribute to Dawn Wells

#Tina #Louise is speaking out following the death of her “#Gilligan’s #Island” co-star #Dawn #Wells.

#Louise, 86, the only remaining original cast member who is still living, said in a statement after the news of #Wells death on #Wednesday that she was “sad to learn of #Dawn’s passing.”

“I will always remember her kindness to me, #Louise said. “#We shared in creating a cultural landmark that has continued to bring comfort and smiles to people during this difficult time. I hope that people will remember her the way that I do – always with a smile on her face.”

#Wells, who starred as the unapologetic “good girl” #Mary #Ann #Summers, died in #Los #Angeles from complications related to COVID-19on #Wednesday morning, according to her publicist.

‘GILLIGAN’S ISLAND’ STAR DAWN WELLS SAYS SHE IS ‘GRATEFUL’ FOR ‘FRIENDS AND FANS WHO CARE’ WHILE SUFFERING FINANCIALLY

#Louise portrayed the glitzy #Ginger #Grant alongside #Wells in the iconic TV series which aired from 1964 until 1967 and in which #Bob #Denver played the title character.

‘GILLIGAN’S ISLAND’ STAR DAWN WELLS DEAD AT 82

#Louise said in a 2019 interview with #Closer #Weekly that she adored how the sitcom “represented this great escape” in the wake of the #Cuban #Missile #Crisis, the tragic assassination of #President #John F. #Kennedy and in the midst of an escalating #Vietnam #War.

“#When we first aired, our country was in turmoil,” #Louise reflected, adding, “I think people really needed an escape. Then we lost our beloved #Martin #Luther #King and in a time of uncertainty, ‘Gilligan’s #Island represented this great escape.”

HOLLYWOOD REACTS TO ‘GILLIGAN’S ISLAND’ STAR DAWN WELLS’ DEATH

#Tina #Louise, right, and #Dawn #Wells co-starred on ‘#Gilligan’s #Island.’
(#Photo by SGranitz/WireImage via #Getty #Images)

“#This sweet, silly show provided its fans with calm and joy in a frightening time and has continued to do so,” #Louise continued.

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“#Well done television transports people into a fantasy and no matter what turmoil exists in the world, ‘Gilligan’s #Island’ has provided that escape in an enduring way. #Considering the state of everything these days, we should all be happy it’s still in reruns!”

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“#Gilligan’s #Island” continues to be screened across the world in more than 30 languages. #In addition to #Louise, #Wells and #Denver, it featured #Alan #Hale #Jr. as the #Skipper; #Jim #Backus and #Natalie #Schafer as wealthy passengers #Thurston and #Lovey #Howell, and #Russell #Johnson as the #Professor.

#Fox #News’ #Stephanie #Nolasco and #Melissa #Roberto and The #Associated #Press contributed to this report.