Summer Fun: Remembering Gilligan’s Island

Tina Louise

When Tina Louise was in high school, she was only known as Tina Blacker. She allegedly told her drama teacher at the time that she didn’t have a middle name and he suggested Louise, which apparently stuck with her throughout her acting career. She was a model and Broadway actress before she made her Hollywood film debut in 1958, soon becoming a sought-after leading lady. In 1964, she left Broadway and film to play “The Movie Star” Ginger Grant on Gilligan’s Island. She would end up being dissatisfied with the role, often clashing with producers over how Ginger should be portrayed. She made claims that the role has typecast her, ruining her career and other opportunities for serious roles.