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‘Gilligan’s Island’: Dawn Wells Once Declared the Most Attractive Male Character on Show

When you think of the epitome of attractive men, Gilligan’s Island comes to mind right? Jokes aside, it wasn’t like the show was devoid of eye candy.

Dawn Wells will forever be associated with country girl Mary Ann. While the famous debate over hotness in the show revolved around Ginger and Mary Ann, the actress behind the latter once commented on the other side of the cast.

In a 2016 interview with Forbes, Wells opened up about all things Gilligan’s Island. From the impact of the show to the behind-the-scenes activities, Wells goes deep on the iconic program.

But before the real nitty gritty topics got hit, Wells was asked about potential on-screen romances. However, the show never really went deep into potential romances. With her answer, Wells essentially broke down all the potential options.

“Gilligan you don’t think of as a romantic partner,” Well said. “Alan [Hale, the Skipper] was more like a father. But the professor had everything: good looks, a sense of humor, was very intelligent. Bob [Denver] and I were really close friends. So was Alan [Hale]. He could pick up Tina [Louise] in one arm, me in the other at the same time, he was so strong. Ms. Howell and I also became really good friends. The one I was least close to was Jim Backus.”

Good looks, sense of humor and very intelligent? The Professor had it all according to Mary Ann.

Gilligan’s Island Fans Debated About Ginger and Mary Ann

When Gilligan’s Island was first getting going, it’s not like they set up Ginger and Mary Ann to be competitors over their attractiveness. After all, Tina Louise as Ginger was supposed to be the glamorous movie star with looks, and Wells as Mary Ann was a farmer girl who happened to be along for the ride.

However, fans fell in love with both characters, and the debate was set alight. In fact, even all the way in 2014, 50 years after the show’s pilot, NBC posted a poll.

Mary Ann Summers overwhelmingly won with a 84 percent margin. While the argument in the early days may have been evenly matched, time has proven that any fans today are with the farm girl.

This is, in part, due to her character and not just her looks. Dawn Wells commented on this to TODAY.

“She either would have been the girlfriend, (or) she’d have been your best friend. I wouldn’t have tried to take your boyfriend away from you. I’d have gone to the prom. I cook, I clean — I do it all.”

Sadly, Dawn Wells passed away in December of 2020 due to complications of COVID-19