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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Daybreak Wells, who performed the healthful Mary Ann amongst a misfit band of shipwrecked castaways on the 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island,” died Wednesday of causes associated to COVID-19, her publicist stated. She was 82.
Wells died peacefully at a dwelling facility in Los Angeles, publicist Harlan Boll stated.
“There may be a lot extra to Daybreak Wells” than the “Gilligan’s Island” character that introduced her fame, Boll stated in a press release.
In addition to TV, movie and stage performing credit, her different real-life roles included trainer and motivational speaker, Boll stated.

FILE – This Oct. 2, 1978 file photograph reveals the forged of “Gilligan’s Island,” from left, Russell Johnson, because the professor; Jim Backus as Thurston Howell III; Natalie Schafer, as Mrs. Howell III; Alan Hale Jr., because the skipper; Bob Denver, as Gilligan; Judith Baldwin changing unique forged member Tina Louise, as Ginger, and Daybreak Wells, as Mary Ann, posing throughout filming of a two-hour reunion present, “The Return from Gilligan’s Island,” in Los Angeles. Wells, who performed the healthful Mary Ann amongst a misfit band of shipwrecked castaways on the 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, of causes associated to COVID-19, her publicist stated.
Tina Louise, 86, who performed Ginger the film star, is the final surviving member of a forged that included Bob Denver because the title character; Alan Hale Jr. because the Skipper; Jim Backus and Natalie Schafer as rich passengers Thurston and Lovey Howell, and Russell Johnson, generally known as the Professor.
Wells, a local of Reno, Nevada, represented her state within the 1959 Miss America pageant and rapidly pivoted to an performing profession. Her early TV roles had been on reveals together with “77 Sundown Strip,”https://www.wfmz.com/”Maverick” and “Bonanza.”
Then got here “Gilligan’s Island,” a goofy, good-natured comedy that aired from 1964-67 that grew to become an unlikely however indelible a part of fashionable tradition. Wells’ comely however harmless Mary Ann complemented Louise’s worldly Ginger, and each grew to become innocuous ’60s TV variations of intercourse symbols.
Wells’ wardrobe included a gingham gown and shorts that modestly coated her stomach button, with each costumes on show at The Hollywood Museum in Los Angeles.
TV films spinoffs from the sequence adopted, together with 1978’s “Rescue from Gilligan’s Island,” however Wells additionally moved on to different TV visitor roles and movies, together with the 2002 vacuum cleaner salesman comedy “Tremendous Sucker” with Jeff Daniels. She starred on stage in dozens of performs, together with “Chapter Two” and “The Odd Couple.”
In 2013, she was honored by for her work with a Tennessee-based refuge, The Elephant Sanctuary.

FILE – On this April 29, 2016 file photograph, Daybreak Wells arrives on the Daytime Inventive Arts Emmy Awards on the Westin Bonaventure Lodge in Los Angeles. Wells, who performed the healthful Mary Ann amongst a misfit band of shipwrecked castaways on the 1960s sitcom “Gilligan’s Island, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, of causes associated to COVID-19, her publicist stated.
To mark the 50th anniversary of “Gilligan’s Island,” Daybreak wrote “A Information To Life: What Would Mary Ann Do?” with observations about her character and the cultural adjustments that befell whereas she was stranded.
Two years in the past, a good friend launched a GoFundMe drive to assist cowl medical and different prices for Wells, though she protested she did not want the help. She did find yourself acknowledging her want and accepted greater than $180,000 in donations.
“Wow! I’m amazed on the kindness and affection I’ve obtained” in response to the fundraising drive, Wells stated in a social media submit on the time. She stated a “pricey good friend” undertook it after a frank dialog.
She recounted musing to him, “https://www.wfmz.com/”The place did the time go? I do not understand how this occurred. I believed I used to be taking all the correct steps to make sure my golden years. Now, right here I’m, no household, no husband, no youngsters and no cash.”https://www.wfmz.com/”
Wells added within the submit that she was grateful to her supportive followers and that her outlook remained optimistic.
Daybreak is survived by her stepsister, Weslee Wells.
Copyright 2020 The Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials is probably not printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed with out permission.
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