Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 9, 2025 · Entertainment

Tina Louise Still Striking at 91: Iconic 'Gilligan's Island' Star Makes Rare NYC Appearance

This photogenic wonder was on a massive sitcom in the 1960s. The TV show was set on a deserted island and had several amusing characters. This actress played one of the better looking ladies on the series

The Sizzling Sex Symbol of 1960s TV: A Rare Glimpse at Tina Louise, The Last Living Star of Gilligan's Island

In a shocking turn of events, one of Hollywood's most iconic and beloved sex symbols made a rare appearance on the Upper East Side of New York City over the weekend. The 91-year-old actress, who still turns heads with her stunning looks and fiery red hair, was spotted sporting a chic outfit consisting of fitted jeans, a black top, jacket, and sleek black sneakers - all topped off with oversized sunglasses that added to her signature glamour.

But who is this ravishing beauty? None other than Tina Louise, the sizzling star of the hit 1960s sitcom Gilligan's Island. As Ginger Grant, the loveliest and most famous movie star in the show, Louise brought a level of sophistication and sex appeal to the small screen that captivated audiences worldwide.

The star, 91, made a rare sighting in New York City's Upper East Side over the weekend as she wore fitted jeans, a black top and jacket as well as black sneakers and glamorous oversized sunglasses. Can you guess who this sex symbol is?

But Louise's journey to fame was not without its challenges. She began her acting career on stage during the 1950s, but it wasn't until she landed the role of Georgia in the 1958 drama film God's Little Acre that she started gaining recognition. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year, paving the way for her future success.

As Louise continued to hone her craft, she went on to star in a string of classics, including The Trap, Day Of The Outlaw, and For Those Who Think Young. But it was her role as Ginger Grant on Gilligan's Island that catapulted her to international stardom. With its diverse cast of characters, including the lovable millionaire Thurston Howell III (Jim Backus) and the bumbling Professor Roy Hinkley Jr. (Russell Johnson), the show became a global phenomenon, airing from 1964 to 1967.

But did you know that Louise was not the original choice for the role of Ginger? Jayne Mansfield was initially offered the part, but turned it down - a decision that would have changed the course of Hollywood history. Louise's portrayal of the sultry movie star has become iconic, and she remains the only original cast member to decline offers to reprise her role in later films.

She is Tina Louise, who played the stunning movie star Ginger Grant on Gilligan's Island. The series starred Russell Johnson, Dawn Wells, Bob Denver, Jim Backus, Natalie Schafer, and Alan Hale, Jr.

In recent years, Louise has continued to make waves in the entertainment industry. In 2017, she starred alongside Stephen Baldwin, Burt Young, and Joseph D'Onofrio in the family drama Tapestry, directed by Ken Kushner. And last year, she re-released her memoir, Sunday: A Memoir, which offers a candid look at her life on set as well as her tumultuous childhood.

In an exclusive interview with The Scholarly Note, Louise revealed that working on Gilligan's Island was not always easy. "I didn't think it would last six months," she confessed. But despite initial doubts, the show became a beloved classic, and Louise's performance as Ginger Grant remains one of the most memorable in television history.

But what really sets Louise apart is her unflinching honesty about her personal life. In her memoir, she writes candidly about her time at boarding school as a child, where she was sent by her parents due to their divorce when she was just six years old. "The only highlight of my week was Sundays," she recalled. "That's when my parents would visit me."

The actress on Gilligan's Island with Alan Hale Jr. and Bob Denver

In a poignant statement on her Facebook page, Louise reflected on the process of writing her memoir: "I've been having fun doing press about my audiobook for the re-release of Sunday... It's really quite freeing and therapeutic to talk about it." And with this rare glimpse into her life, fans are reminded once again why Tina Louise remains one of Hollywood's most enduring sex symbols.

So here's to Tina Louise - a true Hollywood legend who continues to captivate audiences with her stunning looks and unflinching candor. As the last living star of Gilligan's Island, she remains an icon of 1960s television, and her enduring appeal is a testament to her timeless beauty and talent.

PHOTO CAPTION

Portrait of the cast of Gilligan's Island, 1964. Back row, from left, American actors Jim Backus (1913 - 1989) as Thurston Howell III, Natalie Schafer (1900 - 1991) as Mrs. Howell, Tina Louise as Ginger Grant, Alan Hale Jr. (1918 - 1990) as the Skipper, and Dawn Wells as Mary Ann Summers; front row, from left, Russell Johnson as the Professor and Bob Denver as Gilligan

Tina Louise, the ravishing actress who stole hearts as Ginger Grant on Gilligan's Island, spotted on the Upper East Side of New York City over the weekend. (Photo credit: The Scholarly Note)

The show about a diverse group of tourists shipwrecked on a tropical island aired from 1964 to 1967

Louise seen in 1960 in a pinup glamour photo where she was wearing a white dress, which has falling down from her shoulders, with a white flower on the front

In her tell-all book she talks about her time as a child in boarding school. At age six she was sent by her parents to boarding school because they were going through a divorce. But she did not feel comfortable at the school

She did make numerous guest appearances on television series and even made a return to film starring in The Wrecking Crew, The Happy Ending, and The Stepford Wives. Seen in 1980