Dawn Wells (born October 18, 1938 in Reno, Nevada) is an actress, best known for her role as Mary Ann Summers on the sitcom Gilligan's Island, which ran on CBS from 1964 until 1967.

In 1959 Wells won the title of "Miss Nevada" and represented her state in the 1960 "Miss America" pageant. After moving to Hollywood she began appearing in guest roles in such television series as 77 Sunset Strip and Bonanza before winning the role of Mary Ann.

She starred with Michael Dante in the 1976 independent release, "Winterhawk" as a Western settler kidnapped by an Indian chief.

In the 1990s, she spoofed her character on a commercial for 1-800-COLLECT. She has also reprised her role as Mary Ann in the various Gilligan's Island reunion specials.

Today, she runs a successful business making special clothing for people with limited mobility. Still active in local theater across the country, Wells also runs an ongoing actor's workshop from her ranch in Idaho. Further, Wells is also a dedicated alumna of Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, having been instrumental in fundraising efforts for the college for many years.

External links

• Dawn Wells (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0920171/) at the Internet Movie Database