She also help found The Elephant Sanctuary, a refuge in Tennessee developed for African and Asian elephants.

Her stage appearances included 'Chapter Two,' 'The Odd Couple,' 'They're Playing Our Song!,' 'Love Letters' and 'The Vagina Monologues.' She ran a boot camp for actors in Idaho, where she also helped found a film and music festival, Spud Fest. Her other TV appearances included 'Maverick,' '77 Sunset Strip,' 'Hawaiian Eye,' 'Bonanza,' 'The Love Boat' and 'Fantasy Island.' But her most famous part far outlasted the three years spent on 'Gilligan's Island.' Wells recreated the role in spin-off movies (such as 'Rescue From Gilligan's Island' and 'The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island') and the animated series 'Gilligan's Planet,' and even made cameo appearances in character on 'Baywatch' and 'Alf.'

The Associated Press contributed to this gallery.Ī Miss America contestant from Reno, Nevada, Dawn Wells (October 18, 1938-December 30, 2020) pivoted from medical studies to an acting career, and earned immortality after a fashion while wearing a gingham dress (or belly button-covering shorts) as the wholesome Mary Ann Summers, one of seven shipwrecked castaways on the 1960s sitcom 'Gilligan's Island.' A look back at the esteemed personalities who left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.īy senior producer David Morgan.

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