Mary Ann and Me: Dawn Wells, 1938-2020

Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann Summers on the old 60s TV show “Gilligan's Island”, passed away on December 30, 2020, at the age of 82.

It's hard to think of her at that age, since we still see her in the reruns of that show, when she was in her mid-late 20s.

I had the pleasure of meeting, interviewing, and hangin' out with her a number of times and she also appeared on my television program twice. She was just as approachable as you might think. Sweet, always ready to engage in conversation, smart, and an awesome sense of humor.

Dawn was a former Miss Nevada who competed in the 1960 Miss America pageant. Soon afterward, she began appearing in films and numerous TV shows. Her iconic role of 'Mary Ann' on “Gilligan's Island” began in 1964, lasted through three full seasons, and she participated in all three reunion movies.

She cranked out books, co-starred in over 100 stage productions, made personal appearances.....she never seemed to tire. That's why it was such a sad surprise to see she passed.

I wanted to wait awhile before I posted anything, but finally, here it is.

R.I.P. Mary Ann.