A former beauty queen — she represented Nevada in the 1960 Miss America pageant — the Reno-born Wells moved to Hollywood in the early Sixties, appearing in bit roles before reportedly beating out over 200 actresses for the role of Mary Ann in, the iconic sitcom about a group of castaways marooned together on a desert island.
The sitcom ran for three seasons and 98 episodes between 1964 and 1967, but it — like other prematurely canceled TV shows of the era — soon garnered a cult following, which Wells would embrace for the remainder of her career. After the show’s run, Wells returned toThe Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan’s Island, who played Ginger on the show. “We shared in creating a cultural landmark that has continued to bring comfort and smiles to people during this difficult time.
Wells also published Gilligan-themed books that aligned with her wholesome Mary Ann Summers character,While Wells is best-known for the Mary Ann role, she continued to make appearances in films and TV shows over the ensuing decades, including a reprisal of her most famous character on a 1987 episode of
Being shipwrecked couldn't kill her, but COVID could, and did.
Another great one lost to this horrible disease. TrumpsVirusClaimsAnotherLife. Rest easy DawnWells.
🙏🏻
I don't think any of the original Gilligan's Island cast is still alive :(
R.I.P.