WhileThe Brady Bunchis celebrating its 50th anniversary, that shows creator, Sherwood Schwartz, has another series thats beaten it:Gilligans Island. which is currently celebrating its 55th anniversary. Sadly, most of the original cast notably Bob Denver, Alan Hale, Jr.; Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer and Russell Johnson are no longer with us, and the only surviving member, besides Dawn Wells, is Tina Louise, who plays Ginger Grant, aka The Movie Star. But Tina is not one to offer much in the way of reflection on the series.Until now.

On this 55th anniversary of Gilligans Island, Tina tellsCloser exclusively, I want to say how wonderful it is that our show is still on the air after all these years. I honestly feel like I have so many friends out there who just love what we did and what we shared and the joy we brought. Im so happy to have been part of something that was so special to American television.

When we first aired, she continues, our country was in turmoil. We were just past the Cuban Missile Crisis and the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The Vietnam War was escalating and I think people really needed an escape. Then we lost our beloved Martin Luther King and in a time of uncertainty, Gilligans Island represented this great escape. This sweet, silly show provided its fans with calm and joy in a frightening time and has continued to do so. Well done television transports people into a fantasy and no matter what turmoil exists in the world, Gilligans Island has provided that escape in an enduring way. Considering the state of everything these days, we should all be happy its still in reruns!

Tina, who was born in New York City, began acting at the age of two when she appeared in an ad for her fathers candy store. At the age of 17 she began studying acting, singing and dancing at the Neighborhood Playhouse in Manhattan. Modeling following which, in turn, led to acting. She made her debut on stage in 1952s Twos Company, which was followed by several other Broadway productions, including 1957sLil Abner. She began appearing in film with 1958sGods Little Acreand most recently appeared in 2017sTapestrywith numerous roles in between.

Television was a source of steady acting gigs as well, with Tina appearing in a combination of dramatic anthology shows like Studio OneandClimax!, and guest star appearances inCheckmate, Burkes LawandRoute 66. From 1964-67, of course, she played Ginger onGilligans Island, after which she guest starred on a variety of shows, starting with an episode of Bonanzain 1967 and continuing right throughL.A. Heatin 1999.

A truly amazing career, and one that has seen her fortunate enough to be part of an iconic television series with Gilligans Islandthat continues to touch one generation after another.

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'Gilligan's Island' Star Tina Louise on the Show's 55th Anniversary - Closer Weekly