Tina Louise has been the sole surviving cast-member of Gilligan’s Island ever since the 2020 death of Dawn Wells. In a new interview, she’s opening up about why exactly audiences still love both Gilligan’s Island and her character of Ginger decades after the show went off the air.
Louise Opens Up About Gilligan’s Island Popularity
Louise is best known for playing “The Movie Star” Ginger Grant on Gilligan’s Island from 1964 until 1967. Though it’s been nearly sixty years since Gilligan’s Island ended, the show is still beloved by millions of fans to this day. Louise recently opened up about why exactly she feels that this show and her character specifically have stood the test of time.
“Well, I know that people love my character,” Louise, 91, told Forbes. “I sure know that because I know that they look at the show and they love the whole show because of the different characters. We’re all different and my character was very colorful. I understand that. It was more like something they’d seen in a movie. I think that it was that they’d never seen a character like mine and the way I was and the way I was dressed – the way I looked. There, they can see me in their home and they liked that.”
“I think just everybody was really good in their characters. The other thing that I don’t think has been pointed out is when the show came – we were in the sixties – and there were like three deaths in a row of Martin Luther King and JFK and then his brother [Bobby],” she continued. “It was a lot. There was one shock after another and people really need the escape. They needed the escape and they were grateful for that show. They loved that show.”
Related: Tina Louise, Sole Surviving ‘Gilligan’s Island’ Star, Reemerges At 91 In Rare Sighting
Louise’s Complicated History With Gilligan’s Island
While Louise has respect for Gilligan’s Island and the show’s fans, she’s always had a complicated relationship with the series. Unlike the other cast-members on Gilligan’s Island, Louise never returned for any of the show’s many spin-offs and sequels. Instead, she tried to distance herself from the show by focusing on roles in other television and film projects. Indeed, she’s accumulated an impressive 86 film and television credits, according to her IMDB page.
In film, Louise notably starred in the 1975 feminist horror classic The Stepford Wives. Meanwhile, her television credits include episodes of iconic shows like Ironside, Kojak, Dallas and The Love Boat. Louise’s most recent acting appearance came in the 2019 faith-based movie Tapestry.
Full Story: Ginger of ‘Gilligan’s Island’ Fame To Star In New Faith-Based Film ‘Tapestry’
Louise Declines To Mention Gilligan’s Island By Name
Back in March, Louise gave an interview to The New York Times in which she refused to mention Gilligan’s Island by name. During this exchange, she made it clear that she wants to be remembered for her body of work, rather than only as Ginger from Gilligan’s Island.
“I’m very grateful for all the things that have happened to me and the opportunities that I’ve had,” Louise said. “I’d like to be known for other things.”
Check out a televised interview that Louise gave last year in the video below. Though she’s now in her 90s, she still looks as youthful and glamorous as ever!
We can certainly understand why an actress would want to be remembered for more than just one role that she played. However, it can’t be denied that Louise will always be fondly remembered for her work on Gilligan’s Island.
While her relationship with Gilligan’s Island may be complicated, it’s clear that Louise still has nothing but love for the show’s fans. We love her right back, and we hope that she has many years of health and happiness to come.
God bless you, Tina Louise!
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