Dawn Wells; who parlayed her girl next door charm and wholesome
beauty into enduring TV fame as the sweet natured desert island castaway Mary
Ann on the classic 1960s sitcom ‘Gilligan’s Island;’ died on Wednesday at age
82; her publicist said. Wells; who won the title of Miss Nevada in 1959 and
competed in the Miss America contest; died from complications of Covid-19;
publicist Harlan Boll said in a statement. Born in the gambling city of Reno;
Wells played Kansas farm girl Mary Ann Summers; one of seven castaways stranded
after their boat; the S.S. Minnow; became battered in a storm during what was
supposed to be a three hour tour from Hawaii. Wells beat out actresses
including Raquel Welch for her role. ‘Gilligan’s Island’ ran for three seasons
(1964–1967) with a cast that also included Bob Denver as the zany Gilligan,
Alan Hale Jr. as ‘The Skipper;’ Jim Backus as millionaire Thurston Howell III;
Natalie Schafer as his posh wife; Russell Johnson as ‘The Professor;’ and Tina
Louise as movie star Ginger. The death of Wells leaves Louise; 86; the sole
survivor of these cast members.
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