Gilligan's Island was created in 1964 by Sherwood Schwartz, the same writer who would go on to create The Brady Bunch. Gilligan's Island was popular when it originally aired, and it continued to grow in popularity long after it went off the air. Even today, it is considered one of the most influential sitcoms in television history. It still airs in syndication, and it remains an important cultural reference point.
One of the main reasons for the show's enduring success is the main cast, all of whom brought impeccable comic timing to their roles. Sadly, because it has been so long since the show aired, many of the main cast members have passed away. Bob Denver (Gilligan), Alan Hale Jr. (The Captain), Jim Backus (The Millionaire), Natalie Schafer (The Millionaire's Wife), Russell Johnson (The Professor), and Dawn Wells (Mary Ann) will all be remembered for their starring roles on this iconic sitcom.
7 'Gilligan's Island' Aired From 1964 To 1967
Because of the enduring success of Gilligan's Island, it's hard to believe that iconic sitcom is nearly 60 years old, but it's true. It premiered in 1964 -- so long ago, that the first season was filmed in black and white.
6 Tina Louise Played Ginger, The Movie Star
Tina Louise, who played Ginger (a.k.a The Movie Star) is the only main cast member from Gilligan's Island who is still alive to this day. She was born on February 11, 1934, which makes her 88 years old as of 2022.
Tina Louise seems to be retired from acting -- her last role was in the 2019 film Tapestry -- she remains in good health, according to an October 2021 profile in the New York Post.
5 Tina Louise Almost Didn't Get The Part
While these days, it's hard to imagine anyone other than Tina Louise playing this iconic role, it was actually Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield who was originally offered the part. Mansfield, however, turned down the role, clearing the way for Tina Louise.
Interestingly, Tina Louise was unhappy with the role for the same reasons that Mansfield turned it down: she did not like how the role promoted a certain stereotype of the Hollywood actress. Louise told the New York Post that she felt like she was limited to playing "a Marilyn Monroe type" in the early episodes of the show, and after Gilligan's Island ended, she would express discontent that she was being typecast as that same kind of character.
4 Tina Louise Felt That Playing Ginger Was Bad For Her Career
In 1958, Tina Louise made her film debut in a picture called God's Little Acre, for which she won a Golden Globe Award for New Star Of The Year. She starred in several more movies in the late 1950s and early 1960s, as well as a handful of Broadway plays and musicals. She seemed like a huge star in the making.
However, after Gilligan's Island ended, Louise struggled to land the kinds of dramatic roles that she once did. According to Gilligan's Island creator Sherwood Schwartz, "she felt that [Gilligan's Island] had hindered her career as a dramatic actress... she was mad at the show because it just stuck her in a stereotype."
3 Tina Louise Did Not Return For Any Of The Sequel Movies
While Gilligan's Island the TV show ended in 1967, most of the main cast members reunited several years later to make three movies inspired by the show. Rescue from Gilligan's Island came out in 1978, The Castaways on Gilligan's Island came out in1979), and The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island came out in 1981. All three movies were made for television.
2 Two Other Actresses Replaced Tina Louise As Ginger
While Tina Louise played Ginger throughout all three seasons of Gilligan's Island, she did not return for any of the Gilligan's Island movies that were produced. Actress Judith Baldwin played Ginger in two of the films, and Constance Forslund played the role in the third film. Baldwin and Forslund are both alive today, and Forslund is still a working actor -- her most recent credit on IMDb is a short film from 2021 entitled The Trust.
1 But Tina Louise Still Loved Played Ginger
Tina Louise has been sure to clarify that, while the role of Ginger may have negatively impacted the kinds of role she was offered later in her career, that does not mean that she didn't enjoy playing the role. She told the New York Post that she "loved" her part on the show and that she is thankful to have been a part of "the wonderful show that everyone loves."
Tina Louise brought a lot of joy and laughter to a lot of fans with her role as Ginger on Gilligan's Island, so it's nice to know that she doesn't resent playing the role even if she regrets taking it.
