Summer Fun: Remembering Gilligan’s Island

Natalie Schafer Did Her Own Stunts

Natalie Schafer was a total pro on the set on Gilligan’s Island. She was extremely tough – which is not something you’d expect from a 60-year-old TV star. Though she was in her 60s during filming, she insisted on doing most of her own stunts – whichever the executive would allow. This included everything from jumping into lagoons or sinking in quicksand.

This is a huge contrast from Natalie’s character. Natalie took the pilot because it was being filmed in Hawaii (hello free vacation), but she was the opposite of Eunice’s prissy demeanor. She wasn’t afraid to get down into the nitty-gritty of things, though she didn’t like to reveal her true age. (What person does?)