final credits - bob denver
Denver was known to generations of TV viewers as the bumbling slacker castaway Gilligan on the original Survivor-type show "Gilligan's Island." However, Denver first became a familiar face to audiences with his portrayal of the beatnik Maynard G. Krebs on "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis," which aired from 1959 to 1963. The two roles brought a sense of counterculture to the small screen. Bob Denver died September 2, 2005 at the age of 70 from complications due to cancer treatment.
As Krebs, Denver played Dobie's goofy friend who was "allergic" to work and would shriek whenever it was suggested that he do something useful. The character was developed to capitalise on the anti-establishment "beat" movement of the late 1950s, with Krebs defined as a goateed, turtleneck-wearing hipster obsessed with bongo drums -- a sanitised stereotype that was loathed by true beatniks.
"Dobie Gillis" starred Dwayne Hickman and featured Tuesday Weld, Warren Beatty, Michael J. Pollard and John Fiedler in a recurring role. Fiedler, who later became known as the voice of Piglet, died June 25, 2005.
"Gilligan's Island" first aired in 1964, a few years after Federal Communications Commission chairman Newton N. Minow delivered his scathing 'Television Is A Vast Wasteland' speech at a meeting of the National Association of Broadcasters. "Gilligan's" creator Sherwood Schwartz named the boat in the show the "S.S. Minnow" to show his displeasure with Minow's speech. Denver once again portrayed a character who was ineffectual and carefree, confirming the older generation's suspicions of what would soon become the Woodstock generation.
Despite signing up for just a three-hour cruise, the five passengers aboard the Minnow had the sense to bring all their luggage which helped them survive the three years the show was on the air. The first season was shot in black and white before the show was allowed to cross TV's new colour barrier normally reserved for "good" programs. All 98 episodes have been in continuous re-run ever since it left the air.
Denver later revived his Gilligan character in two animated series, as well as a sci-fi version of the original show (he even played Gilligan in an episode of "Baywatch"). Denver also appeared in the three made-for-TV movies: "Rescue From Gilligan's Island," "The Castaways on Gilligan's Island" and "The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island." In 2001, he narrated and reminisced for "Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three Hour Tour in History." Other actors portrayed the original seven-member cast. Tina Louise, who played Ginger Grant (think Ginger Rogers/Cary Grant), refused to appear in any of the post-series movies, claiming the role had destroyed her career as a serious actress.
After "Gilligan's Island," Denver performed in a handful of movies such as 1967's "Who's Minding the Mint?" 1983's "High School, USA" and 1987's "Back to the Beach." He was involved in two attempted revivals of "Dobie Gillis." In 2004, the TBS cable network aired reality program called "The Real Gilligan's Island" without Denver's participation.
Denver was born in New Rochelle, New York. He graduated from high school in Texas and while studying pre-law at Loyola University, he became interested in performing, joining a theatre group called the Del-Ray Players. He also worked as a mailman as well as a history and math teacher. He suffered a broken neck in 1956, which prevented him from getting inducted in the U.S. Army.
Denver and his third wife, Dreama, lived in West Virginia where they ran WGAG 93.1 "Little Buddy Radio," playing oldies from the period 1955 to 1985. In 1998, Denver was arrested for drug possession.
In April 2005, Denver underwent cancer surgery to remove his voice box, leaving him speechless. At the time, he was also diagnosed with artery blockage and underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery in May.
Denver is the fourth cast member of "Gilligan's Island" to die. Alan Hale Jr. (Skipper Jonas Grumby) died January 2, 1990 at age 71; Jim Backus (Thurston Howell III) died July 3, 1989 at age 76; Natalie Schafer (Eunice Howell) died April 10, 1991 at age 90. Surviving are Tina Louise (Ginger) at 71, Russell Johnson (Professor Roy Hinkley) at 80, and Dawn Wells (Mary Ann Summers) at 66.
"Gilligan's Island" would have been a different place had some of the creator's original choices succeeded. Jayne Mansfield turned down the role of Ginger and Jerry Van Dyke turned down the role of Gilligan. Carroll O'Connor tested for the role of The Skipper, Dabney Coleman tested for the role of The Professor and Raquel Welch auditioned for the role of Mary Ann.
Gilligan's first name was often the subject of trivia-related debate. According to series creator Sherwood Schwartz, Gilligan's full name was Willy Gilligan. However, Denver says he never heard the name Willy Gilligan until long after the show was off the air.
The show's theme song was performed by The Wellingtons for the first season. They were replaced by a similar sounding group, The Eligibles, for the following seasons. The Wellingtons played 'The Mosquitoes' later in a episode of the series. The drummer for the Wellingtons, the singly named Irving, died in January 2005.
"Gilligan's Island" was scheduled to return for the 1967-68 television season but was cancelled at the last minute by CBS head William Paley to leave room for "Gunsmoke."
For more about Bob Denver and his two major TV shows, visit his official web site and the The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and Gilligan's Island entries at Wikipedia. For more about the debate over Gilligan's first name, visit the Urban Legends Reference Pages at Snopes.com.