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Dawn Wells, TV actress and St. Pete dinner theater veteran, dies
Actress Dawn Wells, who performed at St. Petersburg dinner theaters more times than any other celebrity, died in Los Angeles Wednesday of complications from Covid-19. She was 82.
Wells was best known as perky Mary Ann, one of the seven castaways on the classic TV series Gilligan’s Island (1964-67).
Two years after the series’ cancellation, Wells became the first “name” actor to perform at the then-new Showboat Dinner Theatre, opened by Village Inn founder Dow Sherwood on Ulmerton Road.
Wells’ first show here was the comedy The Owl and the Pussycat.
She maintained a home on Redington Shores for a time in the 1970s, and briefly dated Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary founder Ralph Heath.
Between that first appearance at the Showboat and the mid 1980s, Wells performed at the Showboat, and at the rival Country Dinner Playhouse in the Gateway Mall, six times.
Her death leaves Tina Louise, 86, as the last surviving member of the Gilligan’s Island cast.
Related story: VINTAGE ST. PETE: The rise and fall of celebrity dinner theater
Willa Powless
January 1, 2021at10:48 am
RIP Dawn. I’m so sorry to hear of your passing from Covid. Our prayers are with your family. My mother met her and spoke very fondly of Dawn. My sisters and I grew up watching her on Gilligam’s Island and we all agreed that she was our favorite because she was so sweet and down to earth, not to mention a natural beauty. From what I hear she was like that in real life and that is what impresses me most. Thank you Dawn for your wonderful example to women everywhere. 🥰⭐️