Dawn Wells

Before starring in Giligan’s Island alongside co-star Tina Louise, Dawn Wells tried to pursue a Chemistry degree from Stephens College. Instead, she decided to study theater arts and design and transferred to the University of Washington. When she started her acting career, she debuted in The New Interns and The Roaring 20s. She also appeared in TV shows such as Maverick, 77 Sunset Street, Bonanza, and The Cheyenne Show. In Gilligan’s Island, her character was named Mary Ann Summers.

Now, she is a humanitarian who established the Wishing Wells Foundation, which is dedicated to helping people with physical disabilities. She is also the founder of the Idaho Film and Television Institute, a not-for-profit education organization. Its vision is to educate and provide technical training to people in South-eastern, Idaho, and therefore to help with the local economic development. In addition, Dawn founded the SpudFest in 2004, a regional family movie festival that is held every year. Dawn has also been a spokeswoman for Idaho Potatoes for more than 15 years.