Tina Louise rose to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in numerous films and
television shows.
And while she was a well-known actress before joining the cast of Gilligan’s Island, it’s
ultimately the work she’s known best for.
She played Ginger Grant on the classic television series, which ran from 1964 to 1967.
Despite the show's enduring popularity, rumors have persisted over the years that Louise
was not well-liked on set and that she had feuds with several of her fellow cast members.
While the veracity of these rumors is difficult to determine, they have become part of the
lore surrounding the show and have added to its mystique over the years.
In this video, we’ll take a closer look at some of these rumors, as well as a couple
specific cast members she was rumored to have feuded with.
We’ll also see what she’s been up to lately!
Stick around, as Facts Verse presents: She Was the Most Hated Gilligan's Island Cast
Member By Far
Tina’s Reputation There have been persistent rumors that Tina
Louise was difficult to work with during the production of Gilligan’s Island.
While the specifics of the alleged difficulties vary depending on the source, some common
themes emerge in the stories that have circulated over the years.
One of the most common complaints about Louise was that she was unhappy with the amount of
screen time she was given, and that she frequently clashed with the show's producers and writers
over this issue.
According to some reports, Louise felt that her character was not given enough to do,
and that she was overshadowed by the other cast members.
Another frequent complaint about Louise was that she was unhappy with her wardrobe on
the show.
Some sources suggest that she was dissatisfied with the skimpy outfits that her character
was often made to wear, and that she felt they were not appropriate for a family-friendly
show.
In addition to these complaints, there have also been rumors that Louise was difficult
to work with in other ways.
Some sources suggest that she was aloof and standoffish on set and that she did not make
an effort to bond with her co-stars.
Others have suggested that she was demanding and temperamental and that she had a tendency
to throw tantrums when things did not go her way.
Despite the rumors, it is worth noting that Louise has never spoken publicly about any
difficulties she may have had on the set of Gilligan's Island.
It is also worth noting that many of the stories that have circulated about her alleged behavior
are based on hearsay and secondhand accounts, and may not be entirely accurate.
Regardless of the truth behind the rumors, however, it is clear that Tina Louise left
a lasting impression on the world of television and pop culture, and that her portrayal of
Ginger on Gilligan's Island remains iconic to this day.
Bob Denver Wouldn’t Talk About it Bob Denver, who played Gilligan, was rumored
to have clashed with Tina Louise during the production of the show.
The two actors reportedly had a difficult relationship, with rumors of tension and disagreements
on set.
However, despite the rumors, Denver was reticent to comment on the matter.
In interviews, Denver was often asked about his rumored feud with Louise, but he would
typically deflect the question or refuse to comment.
He believed that discussing the issue would only fan the flames of speculation and gossip,
and was reluctant to give the media any more fodder for their stories.
Additionally, Denver was known for his professional demeanor and did not want to engage in public
feuds or conflicts, preferring to keep his personal and professional life separate.
Denver's reluctance to comment on the rumored clash with Louise was indicative of his character
and values.
He believed in focusing on the positive aspects of his work and relationships, and did not
want to dwell on negativity or drama.
Moreover, Denver was a private person and did not feel comfortable discussing personal
matters in public.
In one particular interview with The San Bernardino County Sun, the reporter tried to press Denver
on whether or not he and Tina hated each other.
Bob said that he had nothing to say on the matter.
He added, “To me, the guys on Gilligan's Island are the greatest bunch of fellows I've
ever worked with.
We're always pulling gags on one another; we eat together and work together.
That's professionalism."
It’s notable that in complimenting the men on the show, Denver left out his thoughts
on both Tina Louise and Dawn Wells.
Despite Denver's reticence to discuss the matter, rumors of his feud with Louise continued
to circulate, and the two actors reportedly did not speak to each other for many years
after the show's production ended.
However, in later years, both actors expressed admiration and respect for each other's work,
and it is clear that they both left a lasting mark on the world of television and pop culture.
Tina and Dawn’s Rivalry There have long been rumors of a rivalry between
Tina Louise and Dawn Wells.
At the very least there was always dissent among fans over who was the character they
liked the best.
So much so, that “Ginger or Maryanne?”
became a well-known question.
But it’s tricky to figure out if the two actresses had that same level of rivalry,
as both actresses have given conflicting statements on the matter.
Some sources suggest that Louise and Wells did not get along during the production of
the show, with tensions flaring over a variety of issues, including screen time and wardrobe.
Others have claimed that the rivalry was exaggerated by the media and that the two actresses actually
had a friendly relationship off-screen.
In interviews, both Louise and Wells have addressed the rumors of their supposed rivalry
but have given different accounts of their relationship.
Louise has suggested that there was indeed tension between the two actresses but has
downplayed its significance, stating that it was a minor issue that was blown out of
proportion by the media.
Wells, on the other hand, has denied any animosity between the two and has claimed that they
were actually good friends during the show's production.
She claimed to have learned a ton from Tina, on things ranging from makeup to camera angles.
Louise was the more experienced of the two, and Wells was acutely aware of this.
So she tried to learn from Tina whenever possible.
Wells remarked, "We had a little problem sometimes because she always insisted on being shot
from the left.
Always from the left side...
But she's beautiful from both sides, so it's kind of silly."
That sounds like somewhat of a standard Hollywood ‘issue’ so it seems like there’s not
much to read into there.
There was also the snag of the billing on the opening credits.
Originally Wells and Russell Johnson, who played the Professor, were left off the credits.
The names listed everyone until they got to Tina Louise, and then stopped naming the main
actors.
This wasn’t an accident.
Louise’s agents had fought hard for this setup in their original negotiations for the
show.
They had been guaranteed that their client’s name would appear 5th, and that nobody would
be listed afterward.
So some fans have wondered if that caused issues for Wells.
But Dawn just chalked it up to Tina having a smart agent.
She also pointed out that at the time, Tina was a movie star already, while she was only
just starting out.
So it made sense that Tina would be given higher billing!
Like many rumors in the world of entertainment, it is possible that the stories of their rivalry
has been exaggerated or sensationalized over time.
It is also possible that there were some minor disagreements or misunderstandings between
the two actresses, but that they were ultimately able to work together professionally and maintain
a cordial relationship.
Tina Louise Today After Gilligan's Island, Tina Louise continued
to work as an actress, appearing in a number of films and TV shows throughout the 1970s
and 80s.
Some of her notable credits during this period include the films The Wrecking Crew (1968)
and The Happy Ending (1969), as well as appearances on TV shows like Love, American Style and
The Love Boat.
In addition to her acting work, Louise also pursued a career in music.
She released several albums throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and performed as a nightclub
singer in venues across the country.
She wrote a memoir in 1997 called Sunday: A Memoir.
It tells the tales of her unusual childhood, focusing on the first eight years of her life.
She still claims she’d love to have it made into a movie as well.
These days, she lives in New York City.
At 89, she is still active, preferring to stroll around the Katherine Hepburn Gardens,
and hang out with her daughter and grandkids.
She isn’t much of a traveler, perhaps because of her age, or perhaps because she doesn’t
want to risk being shipwrecked on an island!
Her love life has slowed down over the years, but she still says she’s open to meeting
someone special.
She’d been married to Les Crane, a TV announcer, from 1966 to 1971.
Les and Tina had their daughter Caprise in that period.
Tina is the last surviving cast member from Gilligan’s Island, and she still insists
that she has fond memories of the show and acting on it.
And hopefully, those rumors of feuds and the like are just exaggerations!
Now it’s time to hear from you.
Do you think Tina Louise was actually difficult to work with on the set of Gilligan’s Island?
Or were those just rumors that got out of hand over the years?
Let us know in the comments section below!