Dawn Wells, who starred as good girl Mary Ann in the popular 1960s sitcom
Gilligan s Island, died on Wednesday of causes related to COVID-19 in Los Angeles. She was 82.
Pig-tailed and attired in her ubiquitous dungarees or gingham dress, which is on display at the Hollywood Museum, the Mary Ann character was the girl-next-door to Tina Louise s suggestive evening dress-clad Ginger, who was often subjected to leering comments from the male stars in the show s dialogue.
Gilligan s Island cast member Dawn Wells (as Mary Ann Summers), for episode: Two on a Raft. Image dated July 21, 1964. (CBS via Getty Images)
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 Purdu
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Wells died of causes related to COVID-19, her publicist Harlan Boll told numerous media outlets.
Michael Tullberg via Getty Images
Actress Dawn Wells, who rose to fame playing the character Mary Ann on the 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” died Wednesday in Los Angeles at the age of 82.
Born in Reno, Nevada, Wells originally studied chemistry in college before developing an interest in the arts.
After representing Nevada in the 1960 Miss America pageant, she moved to Los Angeles to attempt an acting career.
Wells did guest spots on shows like “77 Sunset Strip,” “Surfside 6” and “Hawaiian Eye” before being cast in 1964 as one of seven castaways stranded on “Gilligan’s Island.”