Jump to content

Dawn Wells

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dawn Wells
Wells in 1975
Born
Dawn Elberta Wells

(1938-10-18)October 18, 1938
Reno, Nevada,U.S.
DiedDecember 30, 2020(2020-12-30)(aged 82)
Los Angeles,California, U.S.
EducationReno High School
Alma materStephens College
University of Washington
Occupations
  • Actress
  • author
Years active1961–2019
Known forMiss Nevada1959
Gilligan's Island
Spouse
Larry Rosen
​
​
(m.1962;div.1967)​

Dawn Elberta Wells[1](October 18, 1938 – December 30, 2020) was an American actress best known for her role asMary Ann Summersin the sitcomGilligan's Island.

Early life

[edit]

Wells was born to Evelyn (née Steinbrenner) and Joe Wesley Wells inReno, Nevada,where she attended and graduated fromReno High School.[2][1]Her father owned a local Reno construction[3]company called "Wells Cargo" (not to be confused with the trailer manufacturer). After high school graduation, Wells attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she majored in chemistry. She transferred to theUniversity of WashingtoninSeattle,where she graduated in 1960 with a degree in theater arts and design. She was a member of theAlpha Chi Omegasorority.[2]

Career

[edit]

In 1959, Wells was crownedMiss Nevadaand represented her state in theMiss America 1960pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey.[4][5]

In Hollywood, Wells made her debut onThe Roaring 20'sand the movieThe New Internsand was cast in episodes of such television series asThe Joey Bishop Show,77 Sunset StripwithEfrem Zimbalist Jr.,CheyennewithClint Walker,MaverickwithJack Kelly,andBonanzawithLorne GreeneandDan Blocker.[6]

Wells appeared as a guest star on theWagon Trainepisode "The Captain Dan Brady Story"with guest starJoseph Cotten,Tales of Wells FargowithDale Robertson,87th PrecinctwithRobert Lansing,Surfside 6withTroy DonahueandVan Williams,Hawaiian EyewithRobert Conrad,RipcordwithKen Curtis,The EvergladeswithRon Hayes,The DetectiveswithRobert Taylor,LawmanwithJohn Russell,Bonanza,It's a Man's WorldwithGlenn Corbett,ChanningwithJason Evers,LaramiewithRobert Fuller,Burke's LawwithGene Barry,The InvaderswithRoy Thinnes,The Wild Wild Westwith Robert Conrad,The F.B.I.with Efrem Zimbalist Jr.,Vega$withRobert Urich,The Love Boat,Fantasy IslandwithRicardo Montalbán,Matt HoustonwithLee Horsley,Growing Pains,Herman's HeadwithWilliam Ragsdale,Three SisterswithVicki Lewis,Pastor Gregwith Greg Robbins, andRoseannewithRoseanne Barr.[6]

Gilligan's Island

[edit]
Wells asMary Ann SummersinGilligan's Island(1964)

She took her signature role of Mary Ann onGilligan's Islandin 1964. The series aired for a total of 98 episodes from 1964 to 1967. She reprised her character in the variousGilligan's Islandspecials, including the reunion cartoon spin-offGilligan's Planet(1982-83), and three reunion TV-movies:Rescue from Gilligan's Island(1978),The Castaways on Gilligan's Island(1979), andThe Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island(1981).[7]She also reprised her character in a 1987 episode ofALF,"Somewhere Over the Rerun",and 1992 episode ofBaywatch,"Now Sit Right Back and You'll Hear a Tale".[8]

In 1993, Wells publishedMary Ann's Gilligan's Island Cookbookwith co-writers Ken Beck and Jim Clark, including a foreword byBob Denver.Alan Hale Jr.,who playedThe SkipperonGilligan's Island,contributed a family recipe (Kansas Chicken and Dumplings) to her cookbook. Hale's character was the inspiration behind recipes such as Skipper's Coconut Cream Pie, Skipper's Navy Bean Soup, and Skipper's Goodbye Ribeye, and he is depicted as Skipper Jonas Grumby in numerous photographs throughout the book. She said in a 2014 interview with GoErie.com: "Alan could not have been kinder to a young actress. He was a real peach."[9]

In 1997, Wells starred as herGilligan's Islandcharacter in a music video for the song "Mary Ann" by the pop-punk bandSquirtgun.The song describes an infatuation with Mary Ann and sings praises to the wholesome character, specifically choosing her over Ginger. The video reached the top 40 of MTV's Alternative Music charts, and it was featured as part of a variety of alternative-themed music video programs.[10][11]

In 2005, Wells consigned for sale her original gingham blouse and shorts ensemble from her signature role. Auction house Profiles in History sold it for $20,700.[4]

In 2014, Wells releasedWhat Would Mary Ann Do? A Guide to Life,which she co-wrote with Steve Stinson. The book was released to coincide with the 50th anniversary ofGilligan's Island.[12]

Wells in 2015

A recurring theme, in the form of a rivalry, developed from the show that posed the question, mainly to men, as to which one of the female stars they preferred: Ginger or Mary Ann? Wells embraced the good-natured rivalry. During a 2014 interview with theVancouver Sun,Wells said that she had a t-shirt that read: "Ginger or Mary Ann, the ultimate dilemma." The question of which of these two characters men prefer endured long after the end of the series. "You can go anywhere and say 'Ginger or Mary Ann?' You don't have to say what show it is. Everybody gets it. And I always win."[13]

Film

[edit]

Wells had small roles in the early-1960s filmsPalm Springs WeekendandThe New Interns,and later starred withMichael Dantein the independent 1975 filmWinterhawk,playing a Western settler kidnapped by a Native American chief. Her other films includeThe Town That Dreaded Sundown,Return to Boggy Creek,Lover's Knot,Soulmates,Forever for Now,andSuper Sucker.In fall 2011, she began filmingSilent but Deadly(originally titledHotel Arthritis),[14]a comedy horror film released in 2012.

Theater

[edit]

FollowingGilligan's Island,Wells embarked on a theater career, appearing in nearly 100 theatrical productions as of July 2009. She spent the majority of the 1970s and 1980s touring in theater productions, notably the second national (bus and truck) tour ofNeil Simon'sChapter Two(in the role of Jennie Malone), and replacingLorna Luftas Sonia Walsk in the second national tour ofThey're Playing Our Song.[15]She also had a one-woman show at theMGM Grand Hotel and Casinoin Las Vegas in 1985.[16]

MeTV

[edit]

In May 2016, Wells was named marketing ambassador toMeTVNetwork, which had begun airing reruns ofGilligan's Island.[17]

Humanitarian activities

[edit]

For several years, Wells operated a business, Wishing Wells Collections, making clothing for people with limited mobility.[18]She was the founder of the Idaho Film and Television Institute, a not-for-profit, educational organization with "a vision of education, technical training and economic development in Southeastern Idaho.".[19]

Wells organized and foundedSpudFest,an annual family film and festival in Driggs, Idaho,[19]which was sponsored byIdaho Potatoes.[20][21][22]

SpudFestheld festivals from 2004 to 2008, and showcased film premieres, and included in-person festival appearances by classic TV icons, includingBarbara EdenofI Dream of Jeannieand actorLou Ferrigno,who portrayedThe Incredible Hulk.[23][24]

Wells also lent her support to the Denver Foundation, a West Virginia charity chaired by Dreama Denver, widow of Wells'Gilligan's Islandco-starBob Denver.In November 2009, she appeared at the Denver Foundation's Christmas Wish Celebrity Auction, helping to raise funds for the disabled and disadvantaged in West Virginia.[25]

Personal life and death

[edit]

Wells married Larry Rosen, a talent agent, on October 27, 1962. The couple had no children, and divorced in 1967.[2]

In 2018, aGoFundMepage was set up to help Wells cope with financial trouble from medical care after a fall.[26][27]

In June 2020, Wells' manager revealed in court documents that Wells was suffering from dementia.[28]

Wells died fromCOVID-19in Los Angeles, on December 30, 2020, at age 82, during theCOVID-19 pandemic in California.[29][30][31][32]The week prior to her death, she had recorded a Happy New Year video to be released on the holiday.[33][34]

Filmography

[edit]

Sources:[6][35][36][37]

Books

[edit]
  • Wells, Dawn (with Ken Beck and Jim Clark). (1993)Mary Ann's Gilligan's Island Cookbook.Nashville, TN: Rutledge Hill Press.
  • Wells, Dawn (with Steve Stinson). (2014)What Would Mary Ann Do?: A Guide to Life.Lanham, MD: Taylor Trade Publishing.

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdGates, Anita (December 30, 2020)."Dawn Wells, Mary Ann on 'Gilligan's Island,' Dies at 82".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 17,2024.
  2. ^abcPilato, Herbie (2014).Glamour, Gidgets, and the Girl Next Door: Television's Iconic Women from the 50s, 60s, and 70s.Rowman & Littlefield. p. 147.ISBN978-1589799707.
  3. ^"Home".wcilv.com.
  4. ^abPotempa, Phillip (November 24, 2010)."From the Farm: Leftover turkey perfect for 'Gilligan's Island' casserole".nwi.com.RetrievedJuly 9,2011.
  5. ^Goldberg, Delen (January 12, 2012)."10 past Nevada pageant winners who have gained notoriety".Las Vegas Sun.RetrievedJuly 20,2014.
  6. ^abc"Dawn Wells Biography - Official Website".castproductions.com.RetrievedJanuary 4,2021.
  7. ^abcdeGross, Ed."Revisiting 'Gilligan's Island' With Mary Ann Herself, Dawn Wells (Exclusive)".Closer Weekly.RetrievedDecember 31,2020.
  8. ^"Baywatch S02E16 Now, Sit Right Back And You'll Hear A Tale".dailymotion.com.Dailymotion.August 3, 2017.RetrievedNovember 28,2022.
  9. ^Cuneo, Kevin (October 15, 2014)."Kevin Cuneo: Mary Ann's still a sweetheart".GoErie.com.Archived fromthe originalon October 17, 2014.RetrievedDecember 8,2015.
  10. ^abBongiovanni, Domenica."Squirtgun has success on multiple levels".Journal and Courier.RetrievedJanuary 4,2021.
  11. ^"SQUIRTGUN".Reggies Chicago.RetrievedJanuary 4,2021.
  12. ^King, Susan (September 27, 2014)."The world according to Dawn Wells, a.k.a. 'Gilligan Island's' Mary Ann".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedApril 17,2015.
  13. ^Bernstein, Adam."Dawn Wells, wholesome castaway on 'Gilligan's Island,' dies of covid-19 at 82".The Washington Post.RetrievedJanuary 2,2021.
  14. ^"Silent But Deadly: Film Review".The Hollywood Reporter.February 13, 2014.RetrievedJune 26,2017.
  15. ^"Dawn Wells – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB".ibdb.com.RetrievedJanuary 1,2021.
  16. ^Lenker, Maureen Lee (December 30, 2020)."Dawn Wells, Mary Ann on 'Gilligan's Island,' dies at 82".EW.com.RetrievedJanuary 4,2021.
  17. ^"Dawn Wells joins MeTV as 'marketing ambassador'".robertfeder.com.May 5, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 23,2018.
  18. ^Wells, Dawn (2006)."Wishing Wells Collections".dawn-wells.com.Archived fromthe originalon September 19, 2010.RetrievedJuly 16,2010.
  19. ^ab"Idaho Film and Television Institute".idahofilminstitute.org. Archived fromthe originalon April 6, 2006.RetrievedJuly 24,2010.
  20. ^"Peeling Idaho Potatoes".idahopotato.com.Idaho Potato Commission. 2010. Archived fromthe originalon February 10, 2015.RetrievedJuly 16,2010.
  21. ^"Famous Television Castaway Dawn Wells of Gilligan's Island Fame Draws Fans at FMI".Idaho® Potato Commission.May 22, 2006.RetrievedSeptember 9,2022.
  22. ^"BSpudfest Coming Soon".Rexburg Standard Journal.July 10, 2007.RetrievedJuly 10,2007.
  23. ^"Spudfest Coming Soon".July 10, 2007.RetrievedJuly 10,2007.
  24. ^"Former TV Icons Will Join Idaho Potato Commission At Fresh Summit".RetrievedOctober 5,2006.
  25. ^"Bob Denver website".bobdenver.com. Archived fromthe originalon September 13, 2008.RetrievedJuly 16,2010.
  26. ^Dugan, Christina (September 7, 2018)."Gilligan's Island Star Dawn Wells 'Embarrassed' but 'Flattered' After GoFundMe Raises $130K".MSN. Archived fromthe originalon September 8, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 3,2019.
  27. ^Nolasco, Stephanie (September 7, 2018)."'Gilligan's Island' star Dawn Wells says she is 'grateful' for 'friends and fans who care' while suffering financially ".Fox News.RetrievedFebruary 3,2019.
  28. ^"'Gilligan's Island' Star Dawn Wells Has Dementia, Gets Restraining Order ".TMZ.June 27, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 15,2021.
  29. ^Pedersen, Erik."Dawn Wells Dies of Covid-19: Mary Ann on 'Gilligan's Island' was 82".MSN.
  30. ^Saperstein, Pat (December 30, 2020)."Dawn Wells, 'Gilligan's Island's' Mary Ann, Dies of COVID at 82".Variety.
  31. ^Bond, Paul (December 30, 2020)."Dawn Wells, Mary Ann on 'Gilligan's Island,' Dies at 82".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedDecember 30,2020.
  32. ^"Gilligan's Island actress Dawn Wells dies of Covid complications".BBC News.December 30, 2020.RetrievedDecember 31,2020.
  33. ^"Dawn Wells Wishes Fans a Happy 2021 in Final Video Message".Extra.RetrievedJanuary 12,2021.
  34. ^"Dawn Wells' Rapid Deterioration in Final Days With COVID-19 - YouTube".youtube.com.December 31, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on December 21, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 12,2021.
  35. ^"Dawn Wells".TCM.RetrievedDecember 31,2020.
  36. ^"Dawn Wells".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedDecember 31,2020.
  37. ^"Dawn Wells".TV Guide.RetrievedDecember 31,2020.
  38. ^"Everglades".Fifties Web. July 23, 2015.RetrievedDecember 31,2020.
  39. ^"Lone Patrol".TV Gems.July 12, 2020.RetrievedDecember 31,2020.
  40. ^Crowther, Bosley (August 20, 1964)."George Segal Stars in 'The New Interns'".The New York Times.RetrievedJanuary 1,2021.
  41. ^Ebert, Roger."Winterhawk".RogerEbert.com.RetrievedDecember 31,2020.
  42. ^Hendricks, Nancy."Town That Dreaded Sundown, The".Encyclopedia of Arkansas.RetrievedDecember 30,2020.
  43. ^Bledsoe, C.L."The Legend of Boggy Creek".Encyclopedia of Arkansas.RetrievedDecember 31,2020.
  44. ^Tramel, Jimmie (March 24, 2016)."Pop culture: Crispin Glover has no regrets about turning down sitcoms".Tulsa World.RetrievedDecember 31,2020.
  45. ^"Family Feud: Gilligan's Island vs Lost in Space".TV party.RetrievedDecember 31,2020.
  46. ^"The casts of 'Gilligan's Island' and 'Batman' competed on an episode of 'Family Feud'".MeTV. April 17, 2017.RetrievedDecember 31,2020.
  47. ^Times, Windy City (December 28, 2011)."'Gilligan's' Dawn Wells on her Chicago show - Windy City Times News ".Windy City Times.RetrievedJanuary 4,2021.
  48. ^Valadez, Eloise Marie (December 28, 2011)."Actress Dawn Wells knows her way around the kitchen".nwitimes.com.RetrievedJanuary 4,2021.
  49. ^Russo, Maria."Introducing: Dawn Wells from the Chopped Celebrity Holiday Bash".
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toDawn Wells.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dawn_Wells&oldid=1242693772"