Summer Fun: Remembering Gilligan’s Island

The Skipper Was the Most Difficult To Cast

By now, we all know that Alan Hale was cast as the loveable Skipper. The Skipper was the last character cast on the show and the one casting directors seemed to have the most trouble with. Out of dozens of actors, they couldn’t find a single person who fit the bill. It was a pretty tall order. Schwartz wanted an actor who was both short-tempered and bossy but able to show a soft side towards Gilligan – even after he’d already lost his temper. This required an actor who skilled with nuance and believably good-hearted underneath a tough exterior.