Tina Louise, best known for playing movie star Ginger Grant on the classic sitcom Gilligan’s Island, is now the last surviving cast member of the show that ran from 1964 to 1967. At 90 years old, she remains the final link to one of television’s most enduring comedies. Louise was born on February 11, 1934. Her portrayal of the glamorous Ginger offered a sharp contrast to the girl-next-door character Mary Ann Summers, played by Dawn Wells.
Wells died on December 30, 2020, at age 82, from complications related to COVID-19. Although she was typecast by her role on Gilligan’s Island, Louise built a career that extended well beyond the island. She had starring roles in films such as God’s Little Acre, The Trap, Day of the Outlaw, and The Wrecking Crew. She also appeared in The Happy Ending and the 1975 version of The Stepford Wives, with later films including Johnny Suede and Tapestry.
Her television credits spanned the 1960s through the 1980s, with guest appearances on shows like Bonanza, Route 66, Kojak, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Kung Fu, Night Rider, CHiPs, Dallas, and Married… with Children. In addition to acting, Louise pursued music and released the album It’s Time for Tina in 1957. She was married to radio and television announcer Les Crane from 1966 to 1971, and the couple had one daughter in 1970.
Louise studied with Lee Strasberg and became a lifetime member of the Actors Studio. She also advocated for child literacy, writing a memoir titled Sunday in 1997, as well as two children’s books, When I Grew Up in 2007 and What Does a Bee Do? in 2009. She also paints, and her artwork has been exhibited.
Over the years, rumors circulated that Louise did not always get along with Bob Denver, who played Gilligan. In 2005, she wrote a memorial to him in the farewell issue of Entertainment Weekly magazine. Denver died on September 2, 2005, from pneumonia after battling throat cancer. He was 70.
The other cast members have also passed away. Alan Hale Jr. , who played the Skipper, died from cancer on January 2, 1990, at age 68. Jim Backus, who played Thurston Howell III, died on July 3, 1989, from pneumonia after suffering from Parkinson’s disease for many years.
He was 76. Natalie Schafer, who played Lovey Howell, died on April 10, 1991, from liver cancer at age 90. Russell Johnson, who played the Professor, died on January 16, 2014, from kidney failure at age 89.
Gilligan’s Island continues to live on through reruns broadcast in many languages around the world.
