Dawn Wells, who played the wholesome Mary Ann among a misfit band of shipwrecked castaways on the 1960s sitcom âGilliganâs Island,â died Wednesday of causes related to COVID-19, her publicist said. She was 82.
What newcomers to the greater-Tetons region might not realize is that this favorite castaway, actress, businesswoman, journalist and teacher had strong ties to the Jackson Hole area. Her first acting gig, in fact, was at the Pink Garter Theatre in the early 1960s when the stage was located at the site of the current Jackson Hole Playhouse.
Wells discussed that first acting experience and others in an interview with the Jackson Hole News in 1999 when she opened the Film Actor's Boot Camp, which was located 35-miles from the heart of Jackson on her ranch in Driggs. The bootcamp gave Wells the opportunity to share her love of the Tetons, as well as her knowledge gained from dozens of theatrical performances, more than 120 TV shows, and experience teaching at Purdue and other universities.