To generations of fans she was the wholesome ‘Mary Ann’ on one of the most popular TV Sit-Coms of all time.
Actress Dawn Wells died earlier today at age 82 after battling COVID-19 for several days. According to her publicist, COVID-19 was the primary cause of death.
Wells played several bit rolls on TV series in the early 60’s before landing the part of “Mary Ann”in Gilligan’s Island. Her four-year portrayal of the squeaky-clean, wholesome farm girl left her ‘type cast’ as a wide-eyed innocent and cost her numerous future rolls. Interestingly, she beat out another aspiring actress, Racquel Welch, for the roll.
86 year old Tina Louise is now the sole surving member of the original cast.
