What Ever Happened to the Cast ofGilligan’s Island?

Mar. 15, 2025

The cast of ‘Gilligan’s Island’ in 1964: Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Tina Louise, Alan Hale Jr., Dawn Wells, Russell Johnson and Bob Denver.Photo:CBS Photo Archive/Getty

CBS Photo Archive/Getty

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Bob Denver as Gilligan

Left: Bob Denver as Gilligan in ‘Gilligan’s Island’; Right; Bod Denver in 2004.Courtesy Everett; Kevin Winter/Getty

Courtesy Everett; Kevin Winter/Getty

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Left: Alan Hale Jr. as “The Skipper” on ‘Gilligan’s Island’; Right: Alan Hale Jr. in 1988.Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty; Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP

Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty; Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch /IPX/AP

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Jim Backus as “The Millionaire” Thurston Howell III

Left: Jim Backus as “The Millionaire” Thurston Howell III on ‘Gilligan’s Island’; Right: Jim Backus in 1983.CBS via Getty; Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

CBS via Getty; Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

04of 07Natalie Schafer as “The Millionaire’s Wife” Eunice Lovey HowellLeft: Natalie Schafer as Lovey Howell on ‘Gilligan’s Island’; Right: Natalie Schafer in 1980.CBS via Getty; Michael Ochs Archive/GettyNatalie Schafer played the proper and dignified Eunice “Lovey” Wentworth Howell, wife of Thurston Howell III. BeforeGilligan’s Island, Schafer played many similar roles as rich, elegant, poised socialites in films likePayment on Demand(1951),Female on the Beach(1955) andBernadine(1957).In later years, Schafer returned for each of theGilligan’s Islandspinoffs. She also followed suit and appeared on classic shows likeThe Brady Bunch,Three’s Company, The Love Boat,CHiPsand more. Her last acting role was in the 1990 horror thrillerI’m Dangerous Tonightas the grandmother.Schafer died in 1991 from liver cancer in Beverly Hills at 90 years old. Shereserved $2 million from her estateto go to the Motion Picture and Television Hospital, which used the money to renovate an outpatient wing.

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Natalie Schafer as “The Millionaire’s Wife” Eunice Lovey Howell

Left: Natalie Schafer as Lovey Howell on ‘Gilligan’s Island’; Right: Natalie Schafer in 1980.CBS via Getty; Michael Ochs Archive/Getty

CBS via Getty; Michael Ochs Archive/Getty

Natalie Schafer played the proper and dignified Eunice “Lovey” Wentworth Howell, wife of Thurston Howell III. BeforeGilligan’s Island, Schafer played many similar roles as rich, elegant, poised socialites in films likePayment on Demand(1951),Female on the Beach(1955) andBernadine(1957).In later years, Schafer returned for each of theGilligan’s Islandspinoffs. She also followed suit and appeared on classic shows likeThe Brady Bunch,Three’s Company, The Love Boat,CHiPsand more. Her last acting role was in the 1990 horror thrillerI’m Dangerous Tonightas the grandmother.Schafer died in 1991 from liver cancer in Beverly Hills at 90 years old. Shereserved $2 million from her estateto go to the Motion Picture and Television Hospital, which used the money to renovate an outpatient wing.

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Tina Louise as “The Movie Star” Ginger Grant

Left: Tina Louise as Ginger Grant on ‘Gilligan’s Island’; Right: Tina Louise in 2022.CBS via Getty; Cindy Ord/Getty

CBS via Getty; Cindy Ord/Getty

06of 07Russell Johnson as “The Professor” Roy HinkleyLeft: Russell Johnson as “The Professor” on ‘Gilligan’s Island’; Right: Russell Johnson in 2004.CBS via Getty; Frazer Harrison/GettyBeforeGilligan’s Island, Russell Johnson was known for playing villainous characters in movies likeFor Only Men(1952) andThe Space Children(1958). But his reputation changed when he landed the role of “The Professor” Roy Hinkley.After the finale, Johnson returned to play the Professor in each of the reboots. Like his costars, he made many one-time appearances on shows likeHawkins,Wonder Woman,Dallas,Newhart,Alfand more. By the mid-’90s, he left Hollywood to live out the rest of his life in Washington state with his family.In 2014,Johnson died at 89years old from kidney failure. He was with his wife Constance Dane and daughter Kim Johnson.“He died at home, peaceful, in his sleep at 5:21 am today,” Dane toldABC Newsthe day of his death. “[He was] a very brave guy who knew what he wanted, and he wanted to be at home.”

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Russell Johnson as “The Professor” Roy Hinkley

Left: Russell Johnson as “The Professor” on ‘Gilligan’s Island’; Right: Russell Johnson in 2004.CBS via Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty

CBS via Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty

BeforeGilligan’s Island, Russell Johnson was known for playing villainous characters in movies likeFor Only Men(1952) andThe Space Children(1958). But his reputation changed when he landed the role of “The Professor” Roy Hinkley.After the finale, Johnson returned to play the Professor in each of the reboots. Like his costars, he made many one-time appearances on shows likeHawkins,Wonder Woman,Dallas,Newhart,Alfand more. By the mid-’90s, he left Hollywood to live out the rest of his life in Washington state with his family.In 2014,Johnson died at 89years old from kidney failure. He was with his wife Constance Dane and daughter Kim Johnson.“He died at home, peaceful, in his sleep at 5:21 am today,” Dane toldABC Newsthe day of his death. “[He was] a very brave guy who knew what he wanted, and he wanted to be at home.”

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Dawn Wells as Mary Ann Summers

Left: Dawn Wells as Mary Ann Summers on ‘Gilligan’s Island’; Right: Dawn Wells in 2016.Courtesy Everett; Robin Marchant/Getty

Courtesy Everett; Robin Marchant/Getty

source: people.com