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“Gilligan’s Island” was a show where romance was a scarce commodity. Aside from the married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Howell (Jim Backus and Natalie Schafer), the island was devoid of romantic couples. In fact, many characters appeared too naive or immature to foster any realistic romantic relationships. Gilligan (Bob Denver), for instance, was an innocent character, while the Skipper (Alan Hale) was more preoccupied with survival strategies than romantic endeavors. Ginger (Tina Louise), though often dressed glamorously and portrayed as a sex symbol, was more focused on her acting career and fame than pursuing romantic relationships.
Among the ensemble, Mary Ann (Dawn Wells) and the Professor (Russell Johnson) were the most “normal” characters. They were usually the “straight man” in the show, seldom involved in the comedic mishaps or slapstick humor. Due to their similar roles, many fans of “Gilligan’s Island” paired them up romantically. Fans speculated that if there was to be a romance on the island, it would likely be between the Professor and Mary Ann. This idea was further reinforced by the duo’s names being grouped together in the show’s opening credits.
The close off-screen friendship between Wells and Johnson might have also influenced this perception. They had a strong chemistry and mutual respect for each other. Wells later confessed to having had a crush on Johnson, though during their time on “Gilligan’s Island,” they were married to other people, maintaining a respectful distance in their friendship.
While Johnson never admitted to having romantic feelings for Wells, he did share in his autobiography “Here on Gilligan’s Isle” (co-authored with Russell Cox) that he and Wells shared a “mutual fondness.”
The Unique Bond between Russell Johnson and Dawn Wells
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Johnson wrote about Wells infusing her own personality into the character of Mary Ann. According to him, she was as kind and amicable as Mary Ann. He also pointed out that Mary Ann was depicted as an “all-American farmgirl,” a persona that Wells could relate to as the great-granddaughter of one of the first Gold Rush settlers. This, Johnson believed, made her quintessentially American. He also speculated that the similar roles they played in the show could have contributed to their close bond.
As per Johnson, the “Gilligan’s Island” producers realized during the second season of the show that the Professor and Mary Ann were as integral to the cast as any of the other characters, leading to an expansion of their roles. He wrote:
“If I had to pick the cast member I was closest to, it would be Dawn. We’ve always had a mutual fondness for each other. It was always Platonic. Initially, we were both overlooked in the opening credits and referred to as ‘the rest,’ and our roles were about the same proportion in the beginning. As time passed, I think the producers and writers came to understand that the Professor and Mary Ann were the sole voices of reason. We were crucial to the show, and they expanded our parts.”
Johnson also recalled a conversation with Wells about fan mail. Wells assumed that Tina Louise, being “the glamorous one,” would receive most of the fan mail. However, Wells received just as much fan mail, if not more, due to her relatability and “girl next door” charm.
Johnson passed away in 2014 at the age of 89, and Wells succumbed to COVID-19 in 2020 at the age of 82. Nonetheless, their legacy continues to live on through the cherished reruns of “Gilligan’s Island.”
FAQs
Q: Who were the main characters in “Gilligan’s Island”?
A: The main characters were Gilligan, the Skipper, Mr. and Mrs. Howell, Ginger, Mary Ann, and the Professor.
Q: Were Dawn Wells and Russell Johnson romantically involved off-camera?
A: No, they had a close friendship and mutual respect, but both were married to other people during their time on “Gilligan’s Island.”
Q: Did the roles of the Professor and Mary Ann expand during the show?
A: Yes, according to Russell Johnson, the showrunners realized during the second season that their characters were as essential to the ensemble as any other, leading to an expansion of their roles.
Q: Did Dawn Wells receive a lot of fan mail?
A: Yes, Wells received as much fan mail as Tina Louise, the “glamorous one,” due to her relatability and “girl next door” charm.
Q: When did Russell Johnson and Dawn Wells pass away?
A: Johnson passed away in 2014 at the age of 89, and Wells passed away in 2020 at the age of 82 due to COVID-19.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
