Original Mary Ann
We have to celebrate Dawn Wells though because she was not chosen as Mary Ann for the show originally. It was supposed to be 1960’s sensation, Raquel Welch, but she turned down the offer and saved her career. Why? Well, none of the Gilligan’s Island actors and actresses landed huge roles after the series ended.
Original Mary Ann
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Jim Backus (playing Thurston Howell III) did get another chance though. If you have seen The Alan Young Show, you will recognize Backus playing Hubert Updyke III. Schwartz explained that when he pitched Gilligan’s Island, he said, the island would be a social microcosm and a metaphorical shaming of world politics in the sense that when necessary for survival.
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