In September 1964, the CBS Community launched their latest sitcom Gilligan’s Island. The basic TV sequence follows seven castaways stranded on a desert island. Millionaire Thurston Howell (Jim Backus) and Lovey Howell (Natalie Schafer) had been among the many castaways. Whereas filming the sequence, Schafer forbid any close-ups of her face. Learn on to search out the explanation for the contract demand.
‘Gilligan’s Island’ star Natalie Schafer didn’t need her actual age revealed
As with many actors, Schafer was secretive about her age. Other than the producers, nobody else on the Gilligan’s Island set knew her actual age. Schafer and the crew went to nice lengths to maintain followers from seeing how previous she was.
In line with IMDB.com, Schafer’s contract demanded no close-ups or bodily actions. Many followers believed Schafer and Backus had been the identical age; nonetheless, Schafer was 12 years older than her TV husband. Schafer remained tight-lipped about her age till her loss of life on April 10, 1991. The actor was 90 on the time of her loss of life, and it was solely then when she allowed her actual age to be revealed in her obituary.
Natalie Schafer by no means thought the present can be a hit
Schafer was already a longtime actor with varied Broadway, TV, and movie roles underneath her belt. When Sherwood Schwartz was casting for Gilligan’s Island, he supplied Schafer the function of Lovey. Schafer accepted the function solely due to the journey to Hawaii to movie the pilot.
The actor believed the present would by no means make it to the airwaves however was completely satisfied to obtain a free trip. To Schafer’s shock, Gilligan’s Island pilot was picked up. Upon listening to the information, Schafer reportedly burst into tears, however they weren’t joyful ones. Schafer’s new function meant staying in Los Angeles as an alternative of transferring to New York as she desired.
Lovey Howell turned Natalie Schafer’s most well-known function
Gilligan’s Island turned successful regardless of Schafer’s misgivings, and her character was common with viewers. Lovey and Thurston continued to dwell an opulent way of life on the island of their bamboo hut. As with the opposite castaways, the couple got here ready with baggage full of cash, fancy garments, and jewellery.
Though Lovey and Thurston had been wealthy, they by no means appeared down on their fellow castaways. The Howells handled Gilligan (Bob Denver) like a son, and Lovey had a particular bond with Ginger (Tina Louise) and Mary Ann (Daybreak Wells). The couple beloved to carry extravagant events on the island however refused to do any handbook labor.
Schafer portrayed Lovey till the present’s cancellation in 1967. She later reprised her function in three Gilligan’s Island movies and two animated sequence.