Dawn Wells

Dawn Wells was an American actress.

Wells was best known for playing castaway Mary Ann Summers on the CBS comedy series Gilligan’s Island from 1964 to 1967.

Wells was Miss Nevada in the 1959 Miss America pageant. In the early 1960s, Wells began guesting on such popular series as Bonanza, Maverick, Cheyenne, 77 Sunset Strip and Wagon Train. She continued to work consistently in guest roles before being cast in Gilligan’s Island.

In the 1970s and ‘80s, Wells reprised her Mary Ann role for two animated series and three reunion movies. She went on to guest on such series as Columbo, Roseanne, Baywatch, ALF, The Love Boat, and Fantasy Island. Her last credit was a voice role in a 2016 episode of the animated series The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants.

Wells had a long career on stage, appearing in the national tours of Chapter Two and They’re Playing Our Song as well as productions of Fatal Attraction, The Odd Couple, Steel Magnolias, and The Vagina Monologues.

In addition to acting, Wells was a producer, author, journalist, motivational speaker, teacher, and chairwoman of several charitable organizations.

Wells died December 30, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. She was 82.