How Many Actresses Played Ginger On Gilligan's Island

Dawn Wells, the real-life Mary Ann Summers of "Gilligan'due south Isle," was simply equally sunny and down-to-globe off-screen as she was on-screen, her co-star Tina Louise, the show's simply surviving cast member, told The Post Wednesday.

Louise, who played the indelible flame-haired Ginger Grant on the CBS evidence, spoke fondly of Wells, who died at age 82 Midweek in Los Angeles after battling COVID-xix.

"I'm very sad," said Louise, who infamously declined to appear in revivals and reboots or discuss the bear witness over the decades since it ended in 1967.

"Dawn was a very wonderful person. I want people to remember her equally someone who always had a smile on her face," said Louise, who lives on Manhattan'southward East Side. "Nothing is more than important than family and she was family. She volition always be remembered."

Tina Louise (left) and with Dawn Wells and Bob Denver (right) — Tina Louise (left) and with Dawn Wells and Bob Denver (correct)

Louise, an enduring dazzler who asked that The Post non mention her age, was shocked to hear well-nigh her friend's decease during a phone call from a Hollywood friend. "Nobody wants to get that kind of news — particularly that style, with this horrible affliction," she said, calculation that the wellness-conscious extra is doing her office to fortify herself. "I'1000 doing my exercise and having a vegetarian tiffin today," she said, calculation somberly, "Everything'southward complicated at present."

Tina Louise and Dawn Wells — Dawn Wells and Tina Louise

The beloved evidence, which ran for three seasons from 1964 until 1967, and followed a shipwrecked group of stranded strangers living on an island, is as enduring equally ever — especially during the lockdown, when new generations discovered its endearing charms.

"We were part of the wonderful show that everyone loves and has been a great source of comfort, especially during these times," said Louise.

While she notoriously declined to appear in the 1978 TV film "Rescue from Gilligan'southward Island," 2001's "Surviving Gilligan'due south Island" and diverse other revivals, she bristles at longtime rumors that she resented the role and prove.

"Never true — I loved doing my part, peculiarly after they really started writing for my character, originally billed every bit a 'Marilyn Monroe' type of graphic symbol," Louise told The Post. "A different director took over and really started to write for my character," she added, admitting she originally thought about quitting. "I actually loved my grapheme."

She also waved off any comparisons between the beloved girl-next-door Mary Ann and her less-inhibited moving picture star roommate, Ginger. "There'south a grapheme for every person. Everyone can identify with a dissimilar person," she said, noting the tight-knit kinship of the seamless cast. "We were always a family. She had enormous fans."

While she said "Dawn was wonderful in her part," she even had special moments with her late co-star, recalling her favorite retentivity when she was invited to Wells' house circa 1966.

Ginger (Tina Louise), Mary Ann (Dawn Wells) and Mrs. Howell (Natalie Schaefer) — Ginger (Tina Louise), Mary Ann (Dawn Wells) and Mrs. Howell (Natalie Schafer)

"I had just gotten married and it was Thanksgiving. I didn't know how to melt specially. She invited me to her business firm with her mom," said Louise, who learned how to make a potato soufflé recipe that became a holiday tradition. "It became something I did every year at Thanksgiving," she said. "I never forgot that."

Louise, who went on to star in "The Stepford Wives," "The Love Boat" and "Dallas," said she'south grateful for the outpouring from "Gilligan'due south Isle" fans these past several months. "We brought a lot of joy to people and however do. This testify is an escape from and so many things going on," she said. "Fathers share it with their children at present. I go messages all the time about that."

Alan Hale Jr., Tina Louise and Bob Denver — Alan Unhurt Jr., Tina Louise and Bob Denver

The cast of "Gilligan's Island": Russell Johnson, Dawn Wells, Bob Denver, Tina Louise, Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer and Alan Hale, Jr. — The cast of "Gilligan'due south Island": Russell Johnson, Dawn Wells, Bob Denver, Tina Louise, Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer and Alan Hale, Jr.

The cast of "Gilligan's Island": Jim Backus, Russell Johnson, Natalie Schafer, Bob Denver, Tina Louise, Alan Hale, Jr. and Dawn Wells — The cast of "Gilligan'southward Isle": Jim Backus, Russell Johnson, Natalie Schafer, Bob Denver, Tina Louise, Alan Hale, Jr. and Dawn Wells

Wells, who guest-starred on popular shows including "Bonanza" and "Maverick," would always be indelibly linked to her lovable "Gilligan's Island" grapheme, said Louise. "She should always be remembered with a grin on her confront — she was a person full of joy, and shared her joy with everyone."

While it had been a while since the two had spoken, Louise said Wells is etched in her heart and fans still write to tell her they bought the serial box set for their children.

"The prove will live forever — and and so will she. We're going to recollect her with a grin."