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EXCLUSIVE: Dreama Denver, the wife of the late Bob Denver, who portrayed Gilligan on “Gilligan’s Island,” recalls her dear friend Dawn Wells, who died Wednesday of COVID-19-related causes.
The friendship between Denver and Wells lasted four decades. The two were close over the years, as Wells played Mary Ann Summers on “Gilligan’s Island” opposite Bob, who died in 2005.
Wells, a native of Reno, who represented Nevada in the 1959 Miss America pageant before assuming the iconic television role in the Castaway series, died in Los Angeles from COVID-19-related causes on Wednesday morning, her publicist said. . She was 82 years old.
Denver noted that its bond with Wells has only grown stronger over time, with the pair becoming particularly close in recent years. Part of Wells’ travels over the years have included stops at Dreama in West Virginia, where she helped support the Denver Foundation. Wells’ last visit was in February 2019, where America’s Sweetheart and Denver served as co-masters of ceremonies. The event raised money for the Denver Foundation’s “Always Free Honor Flight” on behalf of veterans.
GILLIGAN ISLAND STAR TINA LOUISE HONORS DAWN WELLS
In an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Denver recalled their favorite memories from Wells, the last time they met, and how America’s Sweetheart reacted to the fame the iconic Castaway series had brought them.
Dawn Wells and Bob Denver at the TV Land Awards.
(Courtesy of Dreama Denver)
Fox News: What is one of your favorite memories with Dawn Wells from your many years together?
Dreama Denver: Each memory is quite special, but I think our time together on the road is what sets me apart. Often times we would share a room and hang out most of the night talking about ‘girl talk’. In 2015, we took a book tour of Missouri and visited his alma mater, Stephens College. To see the welcome she received, to feel the love that was extended to her for her support of Stephens, was truly special.
Fox News: You have noticed that your bond with Dawn has strengthened over time. How? ‘Or’ What? And how did the two of you stay in touch?
Denver: As we lost cast members, the remaining team moved closer. First Jim, Natalie and Alan, then many years later Bob and more recently Russell. After Bob’s death I stepped in to represent him in public appearances and that’s when Dawn and I hit the road together as Mary Ann and Mrs. Gilligan. We were quite the duo and the fans seemed to be entertaining us both. Over the past 15 years, our appearances together have kept us in touch, and during the months in between, there was always the phone. LONG conversations!
THE LIFE OF DAWN WELLS IN PICTURES
Dawn Wells died of COVID-19-related causes on December 30. She was 82 years old.
(CBS via Getty Images)
Fox News: Dawn is best known for her iconic role on “Gilligan’s Island” opposite your husband, Bob Denver. Has she ever considered her fame in the role?
Denver: Dawn loved and was always grateful for “Gilligan’s Island” and the fame it brought her. She never complained about being known for the show. In fact, she was very protective of Mary Ann, realizing that her character was a role model for young girls all over the world, which made her treat Mary Ann very carefully. There was so much Dawn in this character. Obviously, the gentle nature, physical beauty (woman never got old) and nurturing quality of Mary Ann.
Dawn was a nanny for family, friends and fans. She was always kind and generous with her time. Plus, she never failed to be the first to support a cause she believed in. She did it for me and for my work with the Denver Foundation and Always Free Honor Flight. I would need her. She would come. This is who she was.
Bob Denver and his wife Dreama circa 1981 in Los Angeles, California. Dreama remembered her late friend Dawn Wells after her death.
(Bret Lundberg / IMAGES / Getty Images)
Fox News: When was the last time you saw / talked to Dawn? How did she feel?
Denver: The last time I saw Dawn was in February 2019 when she came to West Virginia to co-host a Denver Foundation fundraiser with me. She loved supporting our veterans, so when I needed her for my “Valentines for Veterans” concert, she was there. She stayed at my house and we were having so much fun that she extended her trip for another two days, which gave us five uninterrupted days together. In light of 2020 and our inability to see each other for this whole year, I am so grateful that we had this last visit, this last memory. We last spoke on her 82nd birthday in October and she was in a good mood. The plan was to hit base again in January to celebrate the fact that 2020 was finally over. Unfortunately, we never had that chance.
Fox News: Is there anything about Dawn that you think fans might not already know?
Denver: Two things that may not be common knowledge – Dawn beat Raquel Welch for the role of Mary Ann, something that never ceased to amaze her. And, of course, she and the rest of the cast were the only people on earth who called Bob, Bobby. Every time we talked about him, she talked about how much she loved our Bobby.
Dawn Wells died Wednesday in Los Angeles from causes related to COVID-19, according to her publicist.
(Bobby Bank / Getty Images)
Wells played the unapologetically “good girl” who washed up on an island with six other castaways. “Gilligan’s Island” lasted from 1964 to 1967 – for three seasons.
“There is so much more to Dawn Wells” than the famous “Gilligan’s Island” character, her rep said in a statement.
GILLIGAN ISLAND STAR DAWN WELLS REVEALS WHAT SHE IS GREAT FOR 2020: ‘THIS IS THE COUNTRY I LOVE’
‘Gilligan’s Island’ cast, left to right, Dawn Wells (as Mary Ann Summers) and Bob Denver (as first mate Gilligan) appearing in the pilot episode.
(CBS via Getty Images)
Prior to “Gilligan’s Island,” Wells had television roles on shows like “77 Sunset Strip”, “Maverick” and “Bonanza”. Throughout her career, she has appeared in over 150 shows and seven films such as “Winterhawk”, “The City That Dreaded the Sunset” and “Super Sucker”. She has also appeared in more than 60 theatrical productions.
In 2014, Wells published the humorous memoir “What would Mary Ann Do?”. Most recently, Wells starred in the 2017 web series “Life Interrupted,” where she played the mother of fellow TV icon Alison Arngrim to receive rave reviews.
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Apart from her life on screen, she was also a motivational teacher and speaker, her publicist said.
Following the news of Wells’ passing, his “Gilligan’s Island” co-star Tina Louise spoke up. Louise, 86, is the only living original cast member. Louise portrayed the glitzy Ginger Grant.
“I will always remember his kindness to me,” said Louise. “We shared the creation of a cultural monument that has continued to bring comfort and smiles to people during this difficult time. I hope people will remember her as I do – always with a smile on her face. “
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“Gilligan’s Island” continues to be shown around the world in over 30 languages. In addition to Louise, Wells and Denver, he featured Alan Hale Jr. as the Skipper; Jim Backus and Natalie Schafer as wealthy passengers Thurston and Lovey Howell, and Russell Johnson as teacher.
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