Dawn Elberta Wells (October 18, 1938 - December 30, 2020) was an acclaimed American actress, best recognized for her iconic portrayal of Mary Ann Summers on the beloved CBS sitcom *Gilligan's Island*. Alongside Tina Louise, she was one of the last surviving regular cast members from the series.
Wells launched her career in Hollywood with appearances on ABC's *The Roaring 20s* and in the film *The New Interns*, followed by guest roles in notable shows like *77 Sunset Strip*, *Maverick*, and *Bonanza*, before landing her signature role in *Gilligan's Island*. She later reprised her character in various reunion specials, including animated series *Gilligan's Planet* and films such as *Rescue from Gilligan's Island* and *The Castaways on Gilligan's Island*.
In addition to her work on television, Wells enjoyed a successful theater career, participating in nearly a hundred stage productions throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Notably, she showcased a one-woman show at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas in 1985.
Wells also authored *Mary Ann's Gilligan's Island Cookbook* in 1993, featuring recipes inspired by her co-stars, including contributions from Alan Hale Jr. She released *What Would Mary Ann Do? A Guide to Life* in 2014, coinciding with the show's 50th anniversary.
A prominent figure at various events, Wells was appointed as the Marketing Ambassador for MeTV Network in 2016 and continued to engage with fans and promote her legacy until her passing.
