Dawn Wells Fosters Charitable Giving
Gilligan’s Island Star was Keynote Speaker at the Community Foundation Presentation.
Most boomers will recall the seven castaways shipwrecked on an uninhabited island during the 60s. Gilligan’s Island was among the many TV sitcom’s boomers adored. Even though it was filmed in only 98 episodes, the program continues to be broadcast in reruns around the world.
Cast member Dawn Wells, best known for her role as Mary Ann Summers on the show, was recently the keynote speaker for the Community Foundation of Western Nevada during a presentation on its Annual Report. Wells, who chairs the Terry Lee Wells Foundation, addressed award recipients, university dignitaries, and Community Foundation board members. Born in Reno in 1938, she shared a few thoughts about fellow cast members. The show that ran from 1964 through 1967 “changed her life forever.” When she auditioned, she competed for the role against Raquel Welch and Pat Priest. She told the audience that the opening of the program was actually filmed at Pearl Harbor where there was a flag flown at half mass because of the Kennedy assassination.
Wells said she still communicates with Russel Johnson who played the professor. “Johnson was the funniest person on the whole show. He had a great sense of humor.” Wells says Natalie Schafer who played Eunice “Lovey” Wentworth Howell was the dearest. The two remained friends until Schafer died at 91. “She never wanted anyone to know how old she was.”
Bob Denver, who played Gilligan, today is widely recognized as a comedic American pop culture icon. Wells said Denver, who died in 2005, was a very good friend. He was quiet, liked organic food, and was very private.
Wells, also spoke of her cousin Terry Lee Wells who died in 2002. Terry Lee created a foundation to help women and children in need of assistance. Today the Terry Lee Wells Foundation provides grants to people with special needs in Nevada that include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Elko, Casa de Vida, CitiCare, Community Chest, Inc., and the Community Foundation of Western Nevada.
Born and raised in Reno, Wells is a fourth generation Nevadan. She attended Reno High School, which is currently celebrating 130 years of educating students in Northern Nevada. Wells has appeared in more than 150 TV shows, 65 theatrical productions, and five feature films. She has no children and, like Terry Lee, her focus is helping those in need with a special interest in the arts.
CEO Chris Askin, Community Foundation of Western Nevada, and Dawn Wells.