Bob Denver and Dawn Wells: Their True Feelings About Working Together on Gilligan’s Island
The classic series Gilligan’s Island cleverly utilized character pairings to maintain storytelling clarity among its cast of seven stranded individuals. The bumbling Gilligan, portrayed by Bob Denver, often teamed up with the cantankerous Skipper, played by Alan Hale Jr., resulting in a delightful comedic dynamic. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Howell, depicted by Jim Backus and Natalie Schafer, operated as a duo, and many observers noted a romantic undertone between Mary Ann, represented by Dawn Wells, and the Professor, Russell Johnson. Mary Ann also frequently shared scenes with Ginger, portrayed by Tina Louise, as they were the only two unmarried women navigating the complexities of island life side by side.
Interestingly, the partnership of Gilligan and Mary Ann was less frequently spotlighted, a decision that leaves fans pondering the rapport between the characters—and by extension, the actors. Behind the scenes, it’s notable that Denver took a stand for Wells during their tenure on the show. In the inaugural season, which aired in 1964, the opening theme song included every character except for the Professor and Mary Ann. This omission stemmed from a contractual demand by Tina Louise, who insisted she be listed last in the credits. In a show of solidarity, Denver leveraged his own contract stipulation, which allowed him to choose his position in the credits, and threatened to place himself behind Louise unless she agreed to include Wells and Johnson in the opening sequence. Louise ultimately acquiesced, allowing both actors their rightful recognition.
The mutual respect between Denver and Wells is evident in their comments about one another. In the introduction to Wells’ 1993 cookbook, Denver shared that he and Wells maintained a friendship spanning 29 years and continued to meet frequently. The immense popularity of Gilligan’s Island led to numerous conventions and fan events where the cast reunited over the years. Denver observed the contrasting demographics of their fans; while his admirers tended to be more varied, many young men who once had crushes on Wells were often nervous to approach her for autographs. Denver humorously noted: “To watch her fans come up and ask for autographs is not only education but sometimes hilarious… I’ve seen grown men shaking in their boots with nerves… It’s not only the guys who are awestruck. Girls and women thank her for being a role model.”
Wells, in turn, held Denver’s comedic talents in high regard. She viewed him as more than just a comedian; to her, he was a profound actor who transformed into the whimsically silly Gilligan with remarkable skill. Wells expressed admiration for Denver’s depth and warmth, stating: “I think Bob Denver is kind of a genius. He’s the most amazing person, completely unlike Gilligan. The rest of us are really a lot like our characters. But Bob is not a comedian, really. He was a schoolteacher, you know. He seems to see the world differently from other people.” Her fond memories included watching him discover the world through a childlike lens, noting his anecdotes about building treehouses for his kids and sharing spooky stories at night.
While Gilligan’s Island defined much of Denver’s career, it also made it challenging for him to secure diverse roles afterward, as audiences largely associated him with his iconic character. Despite his talent, it was difficult for the industry to view him as anything but the whimsical buffoon. Sadly, Denver passed away from cancer in 2005 at the age of 70, while Wells succumbed to COVID-19 in 2020 at the age of 82. Nevertheless, their friendship endured, characterized by constant communication and mutual admiration throughout their lives. Even with limited screen time together, their respect for one another’s talents shone brightly, leaving a lasting legacy from their time on Gilligan’s Island.
