Meet Dawn Wells, Mary Ann's alter ego.You'll
be surprised to find out what she's been up to.

In the Starloft with
Dawn Wells
Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island
Edited for Clarity
18 November 1998

http://www.msn.com/

Digital Dish Diva says:
Hi! Welcome to StarChat with Dawn Wells (Mary Ann, Gilligan's Island) Dawn is
an accomplished author, actor, and host of Dawn Wells Reel Adventures.

Digital Dish Diva says:
Hi Dawn! Welcome to the Starloft! We're thrilled to have you here!

Dawn Wells says:
Hi! Glad to be here!

Digital Dish Diva says:
Dawn, is it amazing to you how popular Gilligan's Island still is after all these
years?
 

Dawn Wells says:
Yeah, I think it is a true phenomenon. I don't think any of us had any concept that
it would be as popular as it is. I can't go anywhere without getting recognized. It
is in 30 languages. Amazing!

Digital Dish Diva says:
Do you have a favorite episode of Gilligan's Island?
 

Dawn Wells says:
I have a couple favorites. I liked the "Hamlet" one we did. It liked the Dr. Jeckyll
and Mr. Hyde one too. I got to be Eliza Doolittle.

Princess_Karen says:
How did you begin your acting career?

Dawn Wells says:
I started off as a pre-med major at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri.
 

Dawn Wells says:
I had what I call Joe Namath's knee and I couldn't take PE so I took acting and fell
in love with it and changed my major. That's how I got started.
 

Digital Dish Diva says:
Do you still keep in touch with the other castaways?

Dawn Wells says:
Oh sure. Last month 4 remaining castaways received the First American Icon
Award in Washington DC. Russell and Bob and I see each other alot. Tina hasn't
been with us much.

Dawn Wells says:
Last year the Emmy's honored famous duos and Tina and I participated in that.
 

Digital Dish Diva says:
Where was Gilligan's Island filmed?

Dawn Wells says:
The pilot was shot on the island of Kauai. I wasn't there for that. Then we shot at
CBS Studios Center in North Hollywood. We tried to film a couple episodes in
Malibu and Zuma Beach but the fog was so bad that CBS built us our own lagoon
about a mile from the freeway.

Dawn Wells says:
About a year ago they paved over it and made a parking lot out of it.

MikeM says: What did you see in the original script that prompted you to take the
job?
 

Dawn Wells says:
I guess in auditioning for it, we were auditioning for a series that was accepted
already. It was a huge plus. I thought it was really funny. A funny concept. I also
was so new in the business.

Dawn Wells says:
I was theatre trained so this was a wonderful experience. Everyone had a past
but me.

Dawn Wells says:
This was my first series as a regular. Who would have known what it would turn
out to be.
 

heckyea1 says:
Did the Professer have a name on the show?
 

Dawn Wells says:
Roy Hinkley.
 

JB says:
Hi Dawn. You were the true babe on that show, not Ginger. Are you doing
anything new these days?
 

Dawn Wells says:
I have optioned a play called A Higher Place in Heaven.

Dawn Wells says:
I adore theatre.
 

Digital Dish Diva says:
There's always been discussion of the mystery as to where all the castaways
got their clothing if they were going on a three hour tour. Any idea on this one?

Dawn Wells says:
It is the number one question.

Princess_Karen says:
I have pondered that one for many years.

Dawn Wells says:
There are all kinds of rationalizations there. Three of us had suitcases. Mary Ann
won a cruise so she brought her suitcase. Ginger was escaping from the sailors
and only had her party dress. The Howells always packed heavy.

Dawn Wells says:
It is also interesting that Sherwood Shwartz (producer) really wanted Gilligan and
the Skipper to be in the same outfit.

Digital Dish Diva says:
Do you have any new television projects coming up?

Dawn Wells says:
Oh yes. I just finished a pilot written produced and directed by Fran Drescher
called Daytrippers.

Dawn Wells says:
I play a wonderful character. I sort of play myself.

Dawn Wells says:
Fran is really really, really talented.

Dawn Wells says:
I enjoyed the experience a lot.

Princess_Karen says:
Very funny lady!

Dawn Wells says:
She has no temperament.

dog says:
I always thought you were hotter than Ginger!

Dawn Wells says:
It was a pleasure.

Dawn Wells says:
We are just selling it now. It has gone to market.

Digital Dish Diva says:
Dawn, tell us about your cookbook Mary Ann's Gilligan's Island Cookbook.

Dawn Wells says:
I am very proud of that!

Dawn Wells says:
My mother is a magician in the kitchen. I combined my memories of Gilligan's
Island with my family's recipes. My mother and I took a year to put it together. It's
really a simple cookbook. Really, really good food.
 

Princess_Karen says:
Any coconut pie recipes?

Dawn Wells says:
13 actually. There is even one with only 4 ingredients.

Dawn Wells says:
I'm working on a website now. The address will be http://www.dawnwells.com
 

Dawn Wells says:
It should be up in about in about one week.

Digital Dish Diva says:
Tell us what else you are up to now.

Dawn Wells says:
In addition to the pilot I am opening a film actors bootcamp in the Teton Valley. I am
really excited about it.
 

Dawn Wells says:
It is a great opportunity for personal assessment, and learning the nuts and bolts
of the business. Getting to know taxes, professionalism, and wardrobe. I bought
a ranch near Jackson Hole. We'll be putting you on location and you'll walk out
with some film under your arm.

Princess_Karen says:
Sounds awesome.

Dawn Wells says:
I grew up fishing with my dad in the area around Jackson Hole.

Dawn Wells says:
I also did Dawn Wells Reel Adventures. I fish a lot.
 

Digital Dish Diva says:
Is the bootcamp just for professional actors?

Dawn Wells says:
It's for anybody who is serious about film. You can look for information about the
Boot Camp next week.

hawkeye says:
Dawn, do you like to deep-sea fish?

Dawn Wells says:
Hawkeye, I love it. I caught a 175 pound Marlin once.
 

Digital Dish Diva says:
Do you eat what you catch?

Dawn Wells says:
Yes, or else I release.

Digital Dish Diva says:
What's the best fishing you've done?
 

Dawn Wells says:
I think the two most memorable times were salmon fishing in Iceland and fishing at
Tweed River in Scotland.

Dawn Wells says:
Although the Teton River is the best that it gets.

Dawn Wells says:
I do that every year.

hawkeye says:
Why the Tweed River?

Dawn Wells says:
By the way, I just want to say, it's really great to meet all of you!

dog says:
You were always better than Ginger
 

Princess_Karen says:
You are so cool Dawn!

Dawn Wells says:
The Tweed River was part of my fishing show and it is such a great place to
fish.

Kiara says:
Do you like Jackson Hole?

Dawn Wells says:
Kiara, it's grown so much. I did my first play in the Pink Garter theatre. I got 14
dollars a week. I did the StageCoach shoot em up.
 

Dawn Wells says:
The largest salmon ever caught on the fly was by a woman in the British Isles.
 

Dawn Wells says:
Being a woman's fishing show, we wanted to go back there.

Digital Dish Diva says:
Dawn, what is the new pilot about?
 

Dawn Wells says:
The new pilot is two young guys from the East coast who want to go to L.A. as
a musician and a writer and I am their landlady.

Dawn Wells says:
It's very 90's and very funny.

hawkeye says:
Sounds cool.
 

dog says:
Dawn, I used to worship you, You were ALWAYS better than GINGER!
 

Rascal45 says:
Please tell us about your work with the Elephant foundation.
 

Dawn Wells says:
Rascal, the Elephant Sanctuary is Tennessee (Henwald). It's about what you do
with an old or abused elephant.
 

Dawn Wells says:
Elephants are so wonderful. They want to please. They love company. Elephants
are the keeper of secrets for they walked the earth when it was new.

Digital Dish Diva says:
Is there a website?

Dawn Wells says:
Yes. http://www.elephants.com
 

hawkeye says:
Is Bob Denver funny as hell in real life?
 

Dawn Wells says:
Hawkeye, just the opposite. He is very intelligent. He is shy and smart and quite a
loner. He sees the world in a humorous way but he is not witty. The child in Bob
really comes out in a character like Gilligan.

hawkeye says:
Really?

hawkeye says:
I always could really identify with his character.

Kiara says:
Dawn, what do you think if the Snake River in Jackson Hole?

Dawn Wells says:
Kiara, the Snake River is great but I think there was some problems with the
water earlier this year.
 

MikeM says:
So who was the prankster, friend, foe etc.?

Dawn Wells says:
We didn't do many practical jokes. Don Rickles kept us laughing when he was our
guest.

Digital Dish Diva says:
I don't remember Don on the show. How did he land on Gilligan's Island?
 

Dawn Wells says:
He was a thief or escaped convict. He stole all the jewels from us.
 

Princess_Karen says:
How can we get your autograph?

Dawn Wells says:
My new website will have that information. Please check it out next week when it
goes live.
 

Dawn Wells says:
There will be fanclub information on the website too.

Princess_Karen says:
Excellent!

Digital Dish Diva says:
Tell me about the line of clothing you did.
 

Dawn Wells says:
It is called the Wishing Wells collection.

Dawn Wells says:
It is meant for people who have less ability than they did before.

Princess_Karen says:
Like the wheelchair bound?

Dawn Wells says:
My mother had a stroke and I basically created it for patients like my mom.
 

Dawn Wells says:
There is such a need.
 

Dawn Wells says:
When you can't take care of yourself, it really takes away your dignity.

Dawn Wells says:
The clothing is not so institutional looking.

Princess_Karen says:
My MOM has MS and has a hard time herself

Princess_Karen says:
Where can you get these clothes?
 

Dawn Wells says:
Princess, you will find information on the website.

Digital Dish Diva says:
Dawn, you are the spokesperson for the International Wildlife Coalition. Can you
tell us about it?

Dawn Wells says:
I am not involved as I would like to be. But I helped to establish the Whale
Sanctuary in Antarctica.

Dawn Wells says:
I am very proud of that.
 

Dawn Wells says:
We have to be so careful with the balance of what we are doing to the world.

Princess_Karen says:
God, you have such a cool life! So many causes and projects and interests and
talents.

Digital Dish Diva says:
About your cookbook. Do you have a favorite recipe?
 

Dawn Wells says:
Right now, my Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes are my favorite.
 

Dawn Wells says:
I also like Mom's Ramoo Meatloaf on page 98. It's a meatloaf made with apples,
oranges and curry.
 

wizard2 says:
Dawn why didn't Tina come back to play her role in the "return to"?

Dawn Wells says:
Wizard, I think she wanted to do things that were more dramatic.

Dawn Wells says:
I don't know for sure though.

Digital Dish Diva says:
Dawn, you starred in the play "Love Letters". Who was your partner in the play?

Dawn Wells says:
Russell Johnson (The Professor).

Dawn Wells says:
That must have been fabulous.

Dawn Wells says:
The play appears to men and women.

Dawn Wells says:
Men don't want to go but then they cry too.

Dawn Wells says:
I also have a project going with MTH Entertainment.

Dawn Wells says:
It's about Miracles.

Dawn Wells says:
I am very involved with the Children's Television Network and Broadcast.

Dawn Wells says:
I have seen so many unexplained things that have happened.
 

Digital Dish Diva says:
Aren't you involved with a Children's Hospital somewhere?
 

Dawn Wells says:
Missouri.

Digital Dish Diva says:
So, you believe in miracles?

Dawn Wells says:
Yes.

FISH says:
Dawn, was your hair real?
 

Dawn Wells says:
Fish, yes.
 

FISH says:
Did you have to use much hair spray?

Dawn Wells says:
Yeah, but just on top.
 

Digital Dish Diva says:
Dawn, you look so amazing after all these years. Any tips on staying young?

Dawn Wells says:
Good genes and good attitude. I always look forward to things in the future. Good
genes and good health.

Dawn Wells says:
I'm not a health nut, but I believe in good eating habits.

Dawn Wells says:
Moderation is the key.

Digital Dish Diva says:
Dawn, you are also an in demand speaker on the National Speaker's Circuit. What
do you speak about?

Dawn Wells says:
Usually two or three things.
 

Dawn Wells says:
Closest to my heart is the ability to get involved with something other than
yourself. Not only does the world benefit but so do you.
 

Dawn Wells says:
Do what you have a passion for and follow your heart.
 

Dawn Wells says:
Basically that's about it.
 

Digital Dish Diva says:
Dawn, thanks so much for joining us tonight.

Princess_Karen says:
This was cool! Thanks Dawn!!

Digital Dish Diva says:
I know you have an early call in the morning. We'd love to have you back again.
 

Dawn Wells says:
You know, you write your own script. You have the possibility of molding your
own destiny. Thanks for sharing the time with me.

Dawn Wells says:
You guys are my first experience with chat!

Dawn Wells says:
And it was great!

Dawn Wells says:
Thanks!

Digital Dish Diva says:
Good night!