Summer Fun: Remembering Gilligan’s Island

Natalie Schafer

Schafer began her career on Broadway as early as 1927, often taking on supporting roles. In 1941, she moved to Los Angeles to forge a film career. She is best known for her role as “The Millionaire’s wife,” Eunice “Lovey” Wentworth Howell, on Gilligan’s Island. She reportedly originally took the role since the pilot was filmed on location in Hawaii, which she saw as a free vacation. Little did she know, the show would take off and she would go on to reprise her role for spin-off shows and films after Gilligan’s Island ended. It is reported that her contract stated that no close-up shots were allowed of her face, probably to mask her true age, which she was notorious for not revealing.