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Image Credit - Global News[/caption]On Wednesday, Dawn Wells, the lady who played the wholesome Mary Ann amongst a misfit band of shipwrecked castaways on the 1960s sitcom Gilligan’s Island died due to causes related to the COVID-19 virus. She was 82, her publicist said.
Publicist Harlan Boll said that Wells had a peaceful death at a living facility in Los Angeles.
Boll stated that there is so much more to Dawn Wells than just the Gilligan’s Island character that brought her to fame. Besides TV, stage acting credits, and films, her other real-life roles included teacher and motivational speaker.
Tina Louise, 86 who played Ginger the movie star, is the last surviving member of a cast that included Bob Denver as the title character, Alan Hale Jr. as the Skipper, Jim Backus, and Natalie Schafer as wealthy passengers Thurston and Lovey Howell, and Russell Johnson as the Professor.
Wells who was born in Reno, Nevada, represented her state in the 1959 Miss America pageant and quickly pivoted to an acting career. Some of her early TV roles included 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, and Bonanza.
And, next was Gilligan’s Island, a goofy, good-natured show that quickly became an unlikely but indelible part of the popular culture.
Well’s comely but innocent Mary Ann well complemented Louise’s worldly Ginger and both then became innocuous 60s TV versions of sex symbols.
Wells’ wardrobe included a gingham dress and shorts that modestly covered her belly button, with both the costumes on display in Los Angeles at The Hollywood Museum.
TV movies spinoffs from the series came following, that included the 1978’s Rescue from Gilligan’s Island but Wells also moved on to other TV guest roles and films, including the 2002 vacuum cleaner salesman comedy named Super Sucker with Jeff Daniels. Additionally, she starred on stage in dozens of plays incusing Chapter Two and The Odd Couple.
It was two years back when a friend had launched a GoFundMe drive to help cover Well’s medical and other costs, although she had protested that she didn’t need the assistance. However, she did end up acknowledging her need and accepted more than $180000 in donations.
Lastly, Dawn is survived by her stepsister, Weslee Wells.
