American actress, Dawn Wells, renowned for playing Mary Ann Summers in the 1960’s comedy, Gilligan’s Island; has died of complications from COVID-19. She was 82.
Harlan Boll, her publicist, said that the veteran actress died on Wednesday at a living facility in Los Angeles.
Tina Louise, fellow Gilligan’s Island, actor took to her Twitter page to mourn the late actress.
“I will always remember Dawn’s kindness to me. We shared in creating a cultural landmark that has continued to bring comfort and smiles to people during this difficult time. I hope that people will remember her the way that I do – always with a smile on her face,” she wrote.
Born in Reno, Nevada, Wells emerged Miss Nevada in 1959 at the age of 20. She also represented her home state in the Miss America pageant in 1960.
In 1962 She got married to Larry Rosen, a talent agent, and got divorced five years later.
Dawn Wells had a blistering career which saw her perform in several movies since 1960. She featured in Winter Hawk (1975), Family Feud (1983), Super Sucker (2002), The Town that Dreaded Sundown (1976), and Return to Boogey Creek (1977).
In 2014, she released a book titled A Guide to Life: What Would Mary Ann Do? in honor of the 50th anniversary of Gilligan’s Island.
