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{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox actor
{{short description|American actor (1935–2005)}}
| name = Bob Denver
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
| Img =
{{Infobox person
| imagesize =
| name = Bob Denver
| caption =
| image = Bob Denver Gilligans Island 1965.jpg
| birth_name = Robert Osbourne Denver
| caption = Denver on the set of ''Gilligan's Island'' in 1965
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1935|1|9}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1935|1|9}}
| birth_place = ],<br>]
| birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2008|9|2|1935|1|9}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2005|9|2|1935|1|9}}
| death_place = ], ],<br>]
| death_place = ], U.S.
| restingplace = Cremated
| known_for = '']''<br>'']''<br>'']''<br>'']''<br>'']''
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1959–2008 (His Death)
| years_active = 1959–2001
| spouse = Maggie Ryan (1960–1966) 2 children<br />Jean Webber (1967–1970)<br />Carole Abrahams (1972–1975) 1 child<br />Dreama Peery (1979–2008) 1 child
| spouse = {{ubl
| {{marriage|Maggie Ryan|1960|1966|end=div}}
| {{marriage|Jean Webber|1967|1970|end=div}}
| {{marriage|Carole Abrahams|1972|1975|end=div}}
| {{marriage|Dreama Perry |1979}}
}}
| children = 4
| education = ]
}} }}


'''Robert Osbourne "Bob" Denver''' (January 9, 1935&nbsp;– September 2, 2008) was an ] comedic ] known for his roles as ] on the ] '']'' and the ] ] on the 1959–1963 TV series '']''. He was the second actor to portray Dudley "Dud" Wash on '']'', '''Robert Osbourne Denver''' (January 9, 1935 – September 2, 2005) was an American comedic actor who portrayed ] ] on the 1959–1963 series '']'' and ] on the 1964–1967 television series '']''.


==Early life== ==Early life==
Denver was born in ], and raised in ] in central ]. He graduated from Loyola University (predecessor to today's ]) in ]. After attending the Sylvia Herpolscheiemer Academy for Performance Arts, he first found work as a mailman. He would later coach ] and teach ] at Corpus Christi School, a ] elementary school in ]. Denver was born on January 9, 1935,<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2020/01/09/UPI-Almanac-for-Thursday-Jan-9-2020/6871578415895/|title= UPI Almanac for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020|work= ]|date= January 9, 2020|access-date= January 16, 2020|archive-date= January 15, 2020|archive-url= https://archive.today/20200115192229/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2020/01/09/UPI-Almanac-for-Thursday-Jan-9-2020/6871578415895/|url-status= live|quote= …actor Bob Denver in 1935}}</ref> in ], and raised in ]. He graduated in 1953 from David Starr Jordan High School in ]. He graduated from ] in Los Angeles, California, with a degree in political science. He acted in college productions at Loyola and met fellow student ], with whom he later co-starred in '']''. After graduation, he coached physical education and taught mathematics and history at Corpus Christi School, a ] elementary school in ].<ref>{{cite news| title=TV's beatnik is a Square at heart| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?dat=19620614&id=CE40AAAAIBAJ&pg=5641,2090613| access-date=February 7, 2022| newspaper=]| location=]| date=June 14, 1962}}</ref>


==Career==
==Television and film career==
Most of Denver's acting career was in television, though he also appeared in several films and on Broadway. He was widely associated with the title character that he played in the 1960s television series '']'', and he continued to appear as Gilligan in several movies, as a guest on other television series, in personal appearances, and as a voice actor in the animated version of the series.
Bob Denver's first film appearance was in the service farce ''A Private's Affair'' with ]. He co-starred with ] on '']'' in 1959, playing ]. While he was on ''Dobie Gillis'', Denver also appeared on the ] interview program '']''. He also had a small role as an unrequited lover on '']''.


===Television career===
He landed a small role in the 1963 ] film, '']'', playing a beatnik poet working at a coffee shop, and was credited as "Robert Denver." Denver also appeared in the 1964 beach movie '']'' with ] prior to the development of ''Gilligan's Island''. He also appeared in the 1967 comedy film '']''.
Denver made his television debut in 1957, playing a small part in an episode of ''The Silent Service'' (S01 E37: "The Loss of the Tang"). While teaching at Corpus Christi in 1958, Denver was permitted to audition for a role on the sitcom ''The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis'' as a favor to his sister, who was a secretary on the production lot. He gained the role and left teaching the following year to become a regular on the series. From 1959 to 1963, he appeared on the series as ], the teenaged ] best friend of Dobie Gillis, played by ]. After filming the first three episodes, Denver received his ], and was briefly written out of the script and replaced, but he was designated ] due to an old neck injury and returned to ''Dobie Gillis'' having missed only one episode. Denver later reprised his Maynard G. Krebs role in the television sequels ''Whatever Happened to Dobie Gillis?'' (1977) and ''Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis'' (1988).


During his time on ''Dobie Gillis'', Denver appeared on the ] interview program, '']''. In 1963, Denver played his only major dramatic role on television, as a physician (Dr. Paul Garrett) in one episode of '']'', telecast on October 10, 1963; the episode, "If You Can't Believe the Truth ...", also featured ] and ].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.richard-chamberlain.co.uk/drkildareguide.htm| title=Dr. Kildare Episode Guide| website=richard-chamberlain.co.uk| access-date=October 12, 2013}}</ref> Between the end of ''Dobie Gillis'' and the beginning of '']'', Denver appeared in an episode of '']'' and in the final episode of '']''. He also had a one-episode role replacing the actor who played Dudley A. "Dud" Wash, the fiancé of Charlene Darling of ], on '']'' which was aired March 30, 1964. This was done by the network to promote Denver's face and make him more familiar to the viewing audience since ''Gilligan's Island'' was about to go on air.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/anewsome/private/35th_w_s.htm| title=35th Anniversary Celebration: A Mayberry Reunion| website=iMayberry.com| access-date=October 12, 2013| archive-date=September 25, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925044904/http://mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/anewsome/private/35th_w_s.htm| url-status=dead}}</ref>
He was remembered primarily as a comic actor, yet Denver also appeared in one dramatic role on television, as a physician (Dr. Paul Garrett) in one episode of '']'', telecast on October 10, 1963. The episode, "If You Can't Believe the Truth...," also featured ] and ].


Following the cancellation of ''Dobie Gillis'', Denver landed the title role on the sitcom '']'', which ran for three seasons (1964–67) on ], and became a staple of later syndication. His role as the well-meaning but bumbling first mate among a small group of shipwrecked castaways became the one for which he is most remembered. During the run, Denver privately went out of his way to help his co-stars who warmly appreciated his efforts, such as successfully demanding that ] and ] be included in the series' opening credits (which also included a nod to their respective characters in the opening theme song), and insisting that Wells get an equal share of the series' publicity with ].<ref name="straight-dope">{{cite web |url=https://www.straightdope.com/21342618/was-the-gilligan-s-island-theme-song-tampered-with |title=Was the "Gilligan's Island" theme song tampered with? |website=] |first=Cecil |last=Adams |access-date=August 25, 2020}}</ref><ref name="50s-web">{{cite web |url=https://fiftiesweb.com/tv/gilligans-island/ |title=Gilligan's Island (Gilligan's Island Tidbits section) |website=The Fifties Web |access-date=November 26, 2023 }}</ref> A decade after the series was canceled, Denver played Gilligan in the made-for-TV reunion movies '']'' (1978), '']'' (1979), and '']'' (1981). He also lent his voice to the animated series '']'' and its sequel '']''. During the 1980s and 1992, he reprised the character of Gilligan for numerous cameo appearances, including episodes of '']'', '']'' and '']'', and played a bartender in the film '']'' (1987).
When ''Dobie Gillis'' ended in 1963, Denver landed the title role on ''],'' which ran for three seasons on ].


] and ]]]After ''Gilligan's Island'', Denver went on to star on other TV comedy series, including '']'' (1968–1970), '']'' (1973–1974) (a show similar to ''Gilligan's Island'', involving a lost wagon train headed to California), and the ] children's program '']'' (1975). Four episodes of ''Dusty's Trail'' were later combined to create a feature film, '']'' (1976).
==Later career==
]
After the conclusion of ''Gilligan's Island'', Denver performed in other shows such as '']'' (1968–1970), '']'' and '']'' (1973) (a facsimile of ''Gilligan's Island'', with the basis of a lost wagon train). He also starred as "Junior" in the Sid & Marty Krofft children's program '']'' (1975). In ''The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West'' (1976), he played Dusty. Shortly afterwards, he returned to the role of Gilligan—along with many of his former co-star castaways—lending his voice to the animated '']'' series and its sequel '']''. He also played four separate guest roles on '']'', on ] from 1978 to 1980.


Denver's other television roles included guest appearances on multiple episodes of '']''; '']''; and '']''. In 1983, he starred in the television pilot ''The Invisible Woman'' as the bumbling ] uncle of the title character.
In 1998, Denver was arrested for having a box of ] delivered to his home. He originally said that the box had come from ] (who had played "Mary Ann" on ''Gilligan's Island''), but later refused to name her in court and testified that "some crazy fan must have sent it." The police reportedly found more of the plant and related paraphernalia in Denver's home. He pleaded ] and received six months ].<ref> Dana Stevens
at slate.msn.com, September 6, 2005</ref> Wells herself would be sentenced to six months' unsupervised probation after she was arrested in 2007 for having marijuana in her car.


===Film career===
Later on in his life, Denver returned to his adopted home of ], and became an ] personality. He and his wife, Dreama, ran a small "] format" radio station, . He also earned a small income making public appearances, often costumed as Gilligan. During the 80s, he recreated the character of Gilligan for numerous cameo appearances, including episodes of '']'', '']'', and '']'', as well as a bartender in the 1987 film '']''.
Denver's first feature film appearance was in the service farce, '']'' (1959), with ]. Credited as Robert Denver, he had a small role in the ] film, '']'' (1963), playing a beatnik poet working at a coffee shop. Denver also appeared in the beach film '']'' (1964) with ] prior to the development of ''Gilligan's Island''.


Other films in which Denver appeared include '']'' (1967), '']'' (1968), '']'' (1968) with ], and '']'' (1976). In 1983, he appeared in the television movie '']''. His final role was a small part in the ]-] comedy '']'' (1987).
==Death==

In May 2008, Denver underwent quadruple ] and was subsequently diagnosed with ]. He died September 2, from ] and ] of the ]<ref name="deathcert"> (September 7, 2008) via ].</ref> at ], in ]. With him at the time of his death were his wife of 26 years, the former Dreama Peery, and his 4 children—Patrick, Megan, Emily, and Colin—from three of his four marriages. Like ] (aka the Skipper), Denver was ] and his ashes were given to his family.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}
===Other work===
]
In 1970, Denver replaced ] in the original Broadway production of Allen's comedy '']'', earning praise from '']'' critic ] for conveying "a genuine clown-like wistfulness" that Barnes had found lacking in Allen's own performance in the starring role.<ref name="DenverObit">{{cite news| first=Adam |last=Bernstein| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/06/AR2005090600991.html |title=Bob Denver, 70; Brought Goofy Comedy to Role as TV's Gilligan| newspaper=]| date=September 7, 2005| access-date= }}</ref>

==Personal life and death==
Denver was married four times. With his first wife he had a son and a daughter. He was later married to Jean Webber (1967–1970) and Carole Abrahams (1972–1975), and with the latter fathered a daughter, Emily.<ref name= Selim /> His last wife was Dreama Perry, to whom he was married until his death and with whom he fathered a son, Colin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gilligan's Dreams: Dreama Denver talks about her book, her life with TV icon Bob Denver, and raising their autistic son |url=https://developmentaldisabilities.networkofcare.org/tarrant-tx/CommunityResources/News/Article?articleId=124577 |publisher=Network of Care - Tarrant Cares|access-date=May 31, 2024 |date=July 7, 2021 }}</ref>

On February 7, 1971, Denver was arrested in ] for possession of ] and drug paraphernalia in his car and pleaded no contest for a reduced sentence of a $250 fine.<ref>{{cite news |title='Gilligan' Arrested |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gilligan-arrested/ |website=] |access-date=February 26, 2020 |date=June 5, 1998}}</ref> In 1998, he was arrested for marijuana delivered to his home, originally saying that the delivery came from ], who played Mary Ann on ''Gilligan's Island'', but he later refused to name her in court, testifying that "some crazy fan must have sent it." He pleaded ] and received six months probation.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Stevens |first1=Dana |title=Gilligan's Dreams |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2005/09/the-archetype-of-the-inept-but-lovable-slacker.html |magazine=] |access-date=February 26, 2020 |date=September 7, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311002121/http://slate.msn.com/id/2125800/fr/rss/ |archive-date=March 11, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Later in his life, Denver returned to his adopted home of ], and became an ] personality. He and his wife Dreama ran a small "] format" radio station, ] 93.1 FM. He also earned a small income making public appearances, often costumed as Gilligan. In 1992, he played Gilligan to benefit the ] for a West Virginia fundraiser for the organization.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dYVDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4039,603687&hl=en| title=Tour planned for children's group| newspaper=The Sunday Times-Sentinel| location=Galliopolis, Ohio| date=April 12, 1992| first=Aviva L.| last=Brandt| agency=]| volume=27| number=10}}</ref>

Denver was a heavy smoker.<ref name= Selim>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.cancertodaymag.org/Pages/Spring2014/Bob-Denver-Throat-Cancer.aspx| title = Everybody's Little Buddy |magazine=] |first=Jocelyn |last=Selim |date=March 28, 2014| access-date=November 18, 2021}}</ref> He received cancer treatment and underwent heart ] in 2005.<ref name=NYT2005>{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Douglas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/07/arts/television/bob-denver-is-dead-at-70-star-of-gilligans-island.html |title=Bob Denver is dead at 70; Star of ''Gilligan's Island'' |date=September 7, 2005 |access-date=September 13, 2016 |newspaper=]}}</ref> On September 2, 2005, he died at age 70 from complications, including pneumonia<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/g/Gilligan%27s%20Island/bobdenverdc.jpg |title=Certificate of Death |website=findadeath.com |access-date=January 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618142232/http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/g/Gilligan's%20Island/bobdenverdc.jpg |archive-date=June 18, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> following throat cancer surgery at ] in ].<ref name="DenverObit"/>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1959|| '']'' || MacIntosh ||
|-
|1963|| '']'' || Alex ||
|-
|1964|| '']'' || Kelp ||
|-
|1967|| '']'' || Willie Owens ||
|-
|rowspan="2"|1968|| '']'' || Choo-Choo Burns ||
|-
| '']'' || Bertram Webb ||
|-
|1976|| '']'' || Dusty ||
|-
|1987|| '']'' || Bartender ||
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1957|| ''The Silent Service'' || Murph || Episode: "The Tang's Last Shot"
|-
|1959–1963|| '']'' || ] || Main cast, 144 episodes
|-
|rowspan="2"|1963|| '']'' || Dr. Paul Garrett || Episode: "If You Can't Believe the Truth"
|-
| '']'' || Lieutenant Tenner || Episode: "An Enterprising Young Man"
|-
|rowspan="2"|1964|| '']'' || Dud Wash || Episode: "Divorce, Mountain Style"
|-
| '']'' || Herbie || Episode: "The Persistent Cop"
|-
|1964–1967|| '']'' || ] || Lead role, 98 episodes
|-
|1967|| '']'' || Harold || Episode: "My Son, the Genie"
|-
|1968–1970|| '']'' || Rufus Butterworth || Lead role, 42 episodes
|-
|1970–1973|| '']'' || Earl / Jeffrey / Sam Cosgrove || 3 episodes
|-
|1973–1974|| '']'' || Dusty || Lead role, 26 episodes
|-
|1974–1975|| '']'' || ] || Voice, 24 episodes
|-
|1975|| '']'' || Junior || Lead role, 15 episodes
|-
|rowspan="2"|1977|| '']'' || ] || TV movie
|-
| '']'' || Himself || 1 episode
|-
|1978|| '']'' || ] || TV movie
|-
|rowspan="2"|1979|| '']'' || Jason Markham || 2 episodes
|-
| '']'' || ] || TV movie
|-
|1980–1983|| '']'' || Morris Binstock<br>Francis Elkins<br>Don Winters<br>Tim Kearns || 4 episodes
|-
|1981|| '']'' || ] || TV movie
|-
|rowspan="4"|1982|| '']'' || Various characters || TV movie
|-
| '']'' || Norman Lomax || Episode; "A Dress to Remember"
|-
| ''Scamps'' || Oliver Hopkins || TV movie
|-
| '']'' || ] || Voice, 13 episodes
|-
|rowspan="2"|1983|| '']'' || Dr. Dudley Plunkett || TV movie
|-
| '']'' || Milton Feld || TV movie
|-
|rowspan="2"|1987|| '']'' || rowspan="2" | ] || Episode: "Gilligidge Island"
|-
| '']'' || Episode: "Somewhere Over the Rerun"
|-
|1988|| '']'' || ] ||
|-
|1992|| '']'' || ] || Episode: "Sit Right Back and You'll Hear a Tale"
|-
| 1992|| '']'' || Himself || Episode: "Famous Past Celebrities"
|-
|1993|| '']'' || rowspan="3" | Himself || 2 episodes
|-
|rowspan="2"|1994|| '']'' || Episode: "Gilligan"
|-
| '']'' || Episode: "The Herm from Ipanema"
|-

|1995|| '']'' || Jackie || Episode: "Sherwood Schwartz: A Loving Tribute"
|-
|1997|| '']'' || ] || Episode: "Mommy 'n' Meego" (final appearance)
|-
|1998|| '']'' || Himself || Voice<br>Episode: "]"
|-
|2001 || '']'' || Himself || TV movie
|}


==References== ==References==
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==External links== ==External links==
{{Commons category|Bob Denver}}
{{Portal|Biography}}
* {{imdb name|id=0001134}} * {{IMDb name|1134}}
* {{ibdb|id=89720}} * {{IBDB name|89720}}
* {{tvtome person|id=3628}} * {{Tcmdb name|48835}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes-person|bob_denver}}
*
* {{Find a Grave|11695257}} * {{Discogs artist|Bob Denver}}
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913140605/http://www.bobdenver.com/ |date=September 13, 2008 }}
{{Gilligan's Island cast}}

{{Portalbar|Biography}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata
|NAME= Denver, Bob
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Denver, Robert Osbourne
|SHORT DESCRIPTION= actor
|DATE OF BIRTH= {{Birth date|1935|1|9|mf=y}}
|PLACE OF BIRTH= New Rochelle, New York, USA
|DATE OF DEATH= 2005-9-2
|PLACE OF DEATH= Winston-Salem, North Carolina
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Denver, Bob}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Denver, Bob}}
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] ]
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] ]
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Latest revision as of 15:30, 22 December 2024

American actor (1935–2005)

Bob Denver
Denver on the set of Gilligan's Island in 1965
Born(1935-01-09)January 9, 1935
New Rochelle, New York, U.S.
DiedSeptember 2, 2005(2005-09-02) (aged 70)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
EducationLoyola University
OccupationActor
Years active1959–2001
Known forGilligan's Island
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
Rescue from Gilligan's Island
The Castaways on Gilligan's Island
The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island
Spouses
  • Maggie Ryan ​ ​(m. 1960; div. 1966)​
  • Jean Webber ​ ​(m. 1967; div. 1970)​
  • Carole Abrahams ​ ​(m. 1972; div. 1975)​
  • Dreama Perry ​(m. 1979)​
Children4

Robert Osbourne Denver (January 9, 1935 – September 2, 2005) was an American comedic actor who portrayed beatnik Maynard G. Krebs on the 1959–1963 series The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and Gilligan on the 1964–1967 television series Gilligan's Island.

Early life

Denver was born on January 9, 1935, in New Rochelle, New York, and raised in Brownwood, Texas. He graduated in 1953 from David Starr Jordan High School in Long Beach, California. He graduated from Loyola University in Los Angeles, California, with a degree in political science. He acted in college productions at Loyola and met fellow student Dwayne Hickman, with whom he later co-starred in The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. After graduation, he coached physical education and taught mathematics and history at Corpus Christi School, a Catholic elementary school in Pacific Palisades, California.

Career

Most of Denver's acting career was in television, though he also appeared in several films and on Broadway. He was widely associated with the title character that he played in the 1960s television series Gilligan's Island, and he continued to appear as Gilligan in several movies, as a guest on other television series, in personal appearances, and as a voice actor in the animated version of the series.

Television career

Denver made his television debut in 1957, playing a small part in an episode of The Silent Service (S01 E37: "The Loss of the Tang"). While teaching at Corpus Christi in 1958, Denver was permitted to audition for a role on the sitcom The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis as a favor to his sister, who was a secretary on the production lot. He gained the role and left teaching the following year to become a regular on the series. From 1959 to 1963, he appeared on the series as Maynard G. Krebs, the teenaged beatnik best friend of Dobie Gillis, played by Dwayne Hickman. After filming the first three episodes, Denver received his draft notice, and was briefly written out of the script and replaced, but he was designated 4-F due to an old neck injury and returned to Dobie Gillis having missed only one episode. Denver later reprised his Maynard G. Krebs role in the television sequels Whatever Happened to Dobie Gillis? (1977) and Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis (1988).

During his time on Dobie Gillis, Denver appeared on the NBC interview program, Here's Hollywood. In 1963, Denver played his only major dramatic role on television, as a physician (Dr. Paul Garrett) in one episode of Dr. Kildare, telecast on October 10, 1963; the episode, "If You Can't Believe the Truth ...", also featured Barbara Eden and Ken Berry. Between the end of Dobie Gillis and the beginning of Gilligan's Island, Denver appeared in an episode of The Farmer's Daughter and in the final episode of The Danny Thomas Show. He also had a one-episode role replacing the actor who played Dudley A. "Dud" Wash, the fiancé of Charlene Darling of the Darlings, on The Andy Griffith Show which was aired March 30, 1964. This was done by the network to promote Denver's face and make him more familiar to the viewing audience since Gilligan's Island was about to go on air.

Following the cancellation of Dobie Gillis, Denver landed the title role on the sitcom Gilligan's Island, which ran for three seasons (1964–67) on CBS, and became a staple of later syndication. His role as the well-meaning but bumbling first mate among a small group of shipwrecked castaways became the one for which he is most remembered. During the run, Denver privately went out of his way to help his co-stars who warmly appreciated his efforts, such as successfully demanding that Russell Johnson and Dawn Wells be included in the series' opening credits (which also included a nod to their respective characters in the opening theme song), and insisting that Wells get an equal share of the series' publicity with Tina Louise. A decade after the series was canceled, Denver played Gilligan in the made-for-TV reunion movies Rescue from Gilligan's Island (1978), The Castaways on Gilligan's Island (1979), and The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island (1981). He also lent his voice to the animated series The New Adventures of Gilligan and its sequel Gilligan's Planet. During the 1980s and 1992, he reprised the character of Gilligan for numerous cameo appearances, including episodes of ALF, Meego and Baywatch, and played a bartender in the film Back to the Beach (1987).

The cast of The Good Guys, 1968: From left: Denver, Herb Edelman and Joyce Van Patten

After Gilligan's Island, Denver went on to star on other TV comedy series, including The Good Guys (1968–1970), Dusty's Trail (1973–1974) (a show similar to Gilligan's Island, involving a lost wagon train headed to California), and the Sid and Marty Krofft children's program Far Out Space Nuts (1975). Four episodes of Dusty's Trail were later combined to create a feature film, The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West (1976).

Denver's other television roles included guest appearances on multiple episodes of Love, American Style; The Love Boat; and Fantasy Island. In 1983, he starred in the television pilot The Invisible Woman as the bumbling mad scientist uncle of the title character.

Film career

Denver's first feature film appearance was in the service farce, A Private's Affair (1959), with Sal Mineo. Credited as Robert Denver, he had a small role in the Jimmy Stewart film, Take Her, She's Mine (1963), playing a beatnik poet working at a coffee shop. Denver also appeared in the beach film For Those Who Think Young (1964) with Tina Louise prior to the development of Gilligan's Island.

Other films in which Denver appeared include Who's Minding the Mint? (1967), The Sweet Ride (1968), Did You Hear the One About the Traveling Saleslady? (1968) with Phyllis Diller, and The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West (1976). In 1983, he appeared in the television movie High School U.S.. His final role was a small part in the Frankie Avalon-Annette Funicello comedy Back to the Beach (1987).

Other work

Denver in 1977

In 1970, Denver replaced Woody Allen in the original Broadway production of Allen's comedy Play It Again, Sam, earning praise from The New York Times critic Clive Barnes for conveying "a genuine clown-like wistfulness" that Barnes had found lacking in Allen's own performance in the starring role.

Personal life and death

Denver was married four times. With his first wife he had a son and a daughter. He was later married to Jean Webber (1967–1970) and Carole Abrahams (1972–1975), and with the latter fathered a daughter, Emily. His last wife was Dreama Perry, to whom he was married until his death and with whom he fathered a son, Colin.

On February 7, 1971, Denver was arrested in Anderson, California for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia in his car and pleaded no contest for a reduced sentence of a $250 fine. In 1998, he was arrested for marijuana delivered to his home, originally saying that the delivery came from Dawn Wells, who played Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island, but he later refused to name her in court, testifying that "some crazy fan must have sent it." He pleaded no contest and received six months probation.

Later in his life, Denver returned to his adopted home of Princeton, West Virginia, and became an FM radio personality. He and his wife Dreama ran a small "oldies format" radio station, WGAG-LP 93.1 FM. He also earned a small income making public appearances, often costumed as Gilligan. In 1992, he played Gilligan to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation for a West Virginia fundraiser for the organization.

Denver was a heavy smoker. He received cancer treatment and underwent heart bypass surgery in 2005. On September 2, 2005, he died at age 70 from complications, including pneumonia following throat cancer surgery at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1959 A Private's Affair MacIntosh
1963 Take Her, She's Mine Alex
1964 For Those Who Think Young Kelp
1967 Who's Minding the Mint? Willie Owens
1968 The Sweet Ride Choo-Choo Burns
Did You Hear the One About the Traveling Saleslady? Bertram Webb
1976 The Wackiest Wagon Train in the West Dusty
1987 Back to the Beach Bartender

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1957 The Silent Service Murph Episode: "The Tang's Last Shot"
1959–1963 The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis Maynard G. Krebs Main cast, 144 episodes
1963 Dr. Kildare Dr. Paul Garrett Episode: "If You Can't Believe the Truth"
The Farmer's Daughter Lieutenant Tenner Episode: "An Enterprising Young Man"
1964 The Andy Griffith Show Dud Wash Episode: "Divorce, Mountain Style"
The Danny Thomas Show Herbie Episode: "The Persistent Cop"
1964–1967 Gilligan's Island Gilligan Lead role, 98 episodes
1967 I Dream of Jeannie Harold Episode: "My Son, the Genie"
1968–1970 The Good Guys Rufus Butterworth Lead role, 42 episodes
1970–1973 Love, American Style Earl / Jeffrey / Sam Cosgrove 3 episodes
1973–1974 Dusty's Trail Dusty Lead role, 26 episodes
1974–1975 The New Adventures of Gilligan Gilligan Voice, 24 episodes
1975 Far Out Space Nuts Junior Lead role, 15 episodes
1977 Whatever Happened to Dobie Gillis? Maynard G. Krebs TV movie
Captain Kangaroo Himself 1 episode
1978 Rescue from Gilligan's Island Gilligan TV movie
1979 The Love Boat Jason Markham 2 episodes
The Castaways on Gilligan's Island Gilligan TV movie
1980–1983 Fantasy Island Morris Binstock
Francis Elkins
Don Winters
Tim Kearns		 4 episodes
1981 The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island Gilligan TV movie
1982 Twilight Theater Various characters TV movie
The Love Boat Norman Lomax Episode; "A Dress to Remember"
Scamps Oliver Hopkins TV movie
Gilligan's Planet Gilligan Voice, 13 episodes
1983 The Invisible Woman Dr. Dudley Plunkett TV movie
High School U.S. Milton Feld TV movie
1987 The New Gidget Gilligan Episode: "Gilligidge Island"
ALF Episode: "Somewhere Over the Rerun"
1988 Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis Maynard G. Krebs
1992 Baywatch Gilligan Episode: "Sit Right Back and You'll Hear a Tale"
1992 Phil Donahue Show Himself Episode: "Famous Past Celebrities"
1993 Evening Shade Himself 2 episodes
1994 Space Ghost Coast to Coast Episode: "Gilligan"
Herman's Head Episode: "The Herm from Ipanema"
1995 Roseanne Jackie Episode: "Sherwood Schwartz: A Loving Tribute"
1997 Meego Gilligan Episode: "Mommy 'n' Meego" (final appearance)
1998 The Simpsons Himself Voice
Episode: "Simpson Tide"
2001 Surviving Gilligan's Island Himself TV movie

References

  1. "UPI Almanac for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020". United Press International. January 9, 2020. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020. …actor Bob Denver in 1935
  2. "TV's beatnik is a Square at heart". The Age. Melbourne. June 14, 1962. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  3. "Dr. Kildare Episode Guide". richard-chamberlain.co.uk. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  4. "35th Anniversary Celebration: A Mayberry Reunion". iMayberry.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2010. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  5. Adams, Cecil. "Was the "Gilligan's Island" theme song tampered with?". The Straight Dope. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  6. "Gilligan's Island (Gilligan's Island Tidbits section)". The Fifties Web. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  7. ^ Bernstein, Adam (September 7, 2005). "Bob Denver, 70; Brought Goofy Comedy to Role as TV's Gilligan". The Washington Post.
  8. ^ Selim, Jocelyn (March 28, 2014). "Everybody's Little Buddy". Cancer Today. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  9. "Gilligan's Dreams: Dreama Denver talks about her book, her life with TV icon Bob Denver, and raising their autistic son". Network of Care - Tarrant Cares. July 7, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  10. "'Gilligan' Arrested". CBS News. June 5, 1998. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  11. Stevens, Dana (September 7, 2005). "Gilligan's Dreams". Slate. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  12. Brandt, Aviva L. (April 12, 1992). "Tour planned for children's group". The Sunday Times-Sentinel. Vol. 27, no. 10. Galliopolis, Ohio. Associated Press.
  13. Martin, Douglas (September 7, 2005). "Bob Denver is dead at 70; Star of Gilligan's Island". The New York Times. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  14. "Certificate of Death". findadeath.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2018.

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