Named “World’s Most Beautiful Redhead” by National Art Council in 1958, Tina Louise was an American sweetheart back in the 60s & 70s. She is best known for appearing as Ginger Grant in 60s TV show Gilligan’s Island.
Early Life & Career
She made her Hollywood film debut in 1958 in God’s Little Acre, which earned her a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress. Prior to making her film debut, she had appeared in numerous ads and covers of several pinup magazines such as Adam, Sir! and Modern Man. Columbia Pictures got her pictorials featured in the May 1958 and April 1959 issues of Playboy magazine to promote the young actress.
Tina made her acting debut from Bette Davis musical revue, Two’s Company, in 1952, which was followed by other stage productions. In 1957, she appeared in a hit Broadway musical, Li’l Abner, and released her album, It’s Time for Tina, which included songs like Embraceable You and I’m in the Mood for Love.
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Gilligan’s Island
She became an in-demand leading lady in no time. But, she turned down many roles and moved to Italy. She starred in several Italian stage production and movies, including Roberto Rossellini’s Garibaldi. After returning to the US, she trained with Lee Strasberg and guest-starred on the sitcom, The Real McCoys, in 1962.
In 1964, she withdrew her name from the Broadway musical, Fade Out-Fade In, to star as Ginger Grant, in Gilligan’s Island after Jayne Mansfield turned down the role. She portrayed the role from 1964 to 1967, alongside Alan Hale Jr., Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, Russell Johnson and Dawn Wells. After Gilligan’s Island, she guest starred in many TV shows, including Love, American Style, CHiPs, Dallas and Police Story.
However, she became the only one who didn’t reunite with other Gilligan’s Island cast members in all three spin-off films and animated series. She has publicly spoken about her dissatisfaction with the series. She claims that the sitcom destroyed her acting career as it made her forever known as “Ginger.”
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Personal Life & Net Worth
After Russell Johnson, who portrayed the role of Professor Roy Hinkley, Ph.D., passed away in 2014, she and Dawn Wells are the only two surviving cast members from the show. Louise was married to radio announcer Les Crane from 1966 to 1971, with whom she has one daughter, Caprice Crane.
The 85-year-old is currently living in New York City and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a lifetime member of the Actors Studio. She was spotted in Los Angeles back in August 2018. With a career spanning more than 45 years, the beautiful Louise has accumulated an estimated net worth of $6 million.
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