COVID-19: Dawn Wells, ‘Gilligan’s Island’ star, dies at 82

Dawn Wells, an American actress, has died of complications from COVID-19 at the age of 82.

According to Hollywood Reporters, Harlan Boll, her publicist, in a statement, said Wells died of the deadly disease at a living facility in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The ace film star was widely known for her portrayal of Mary Ann Summers in ‘Gilligan’s Island’, the classic situation comedy aired in the 1960’s.

Born in Reno, Nevada, Wells emerged Miss Nevada in 1959 at age 20 and represented her home state in the Miss America pageant in 1960.

During her lifetime, she starred in several movies including ‘Winter Hawk’ (1975), ‘Family Feud’ (1983), ‘Super Sucker’ (2002), ‘The Town that Dreaded Sundown’ (1976), and ‘Return to Boogey Creek’ (1977).

In honor of the 50th anniversary of ‘Gilligan’s Island’, she released the book ‘A Guide to Life: What Would Mary Ann Do?’ in 2014.

She got married to Larry Rosen, a talent agent, in 1962, but they divorced five years later in 1967.

Tina Louise, an actress who co-starred with Wells on ‘Gilligan’s Island’, took to her Twitter page to pay tribute to the deceased.

I will always remember Dawn's kindness to me. We shared in creating a cultural landmark that has continued to bring comfort and smiles to people during this difficult time. I hope that people will remember her the way that I do — always with a smile on her face. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/teFLyVv07C

— Tina Louise (@TheTinaLouise) December 31, 2020

“I will always remember Dawn’s kindness to me. We shared in creating a cultural landmark that has continued to bring comfort and smiles to people during this difficult time. I hope that people will remember her the way that I do – always with a smile on her face,” she wrote.

Wells’ death further stretches the list of celebrities who have breathed their last due to COVID-19 complications since the dawn of the year 2020.