« December 2nd, 2006 - Happy Birthday Kate Bosworth! | Home | Please… Please Tell Me… »
December 2nd, 2006 - This Day In History
By Allie | January 2, 2007
1990 : Alan Hale Jr. dies
Alan Hale Jr., the Skipper on Gilligan’s Island, dies of cancer at age 68.
Gilligan’s Island ran from 1964 to 1967, then aired in reruns for decades. The characters were resurrected in three TV movies in 1978, 1979, and 1981.
He was born in Los Angeles, California. His father, character actor Alan Hale Sr. (who looked almost exactly like his son), had a successful career in movies including the role of Little John in both the Douglas Fairbanks and Errol Flynn versions of Robin Hood. Hale Sr. is probably best known for having appeared in almost every Errol Flynn film. While his father was adapting to sound films, Hale Jr. started his career while still a baby. During the Second World War, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. After his father’s death in 1950, Junior was dropped from his name. His mother would go on to live until 1979.
His first important roles were as a member of Gene Autry’s recurring cast of players. During the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, he frequently appear in Gene Autry movies and The Gene Autry Show on TV. He also starred in television series, such as 1952-53’s Biff Baker U.S.A.. He later took part in sitcoms such as Casey Jones (1957) and The Good Guys (1968-70). He made his greatest mark on pop culture with his role as the Skipper on Gilligan’s Island, which ran from 1964 to 1967. During his career, he was noted for his supporting character roles in such movies as Up Periscope, The Lady Takes a Flyer, The Giant Spider Invasion and The West Point Story.
Living in Hollywood for his post-television years, Hale died at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Los Angeles from respiratory failure due to cancer of the thymus.
The popularity of Gilligan’s Island typecast its actors, making it difficult for them to find other acting work. However, Alan Hale often said he didn’t mind being so closely identified with the Skipper. He owned a very popular restaurant and would often greet customers in his “Skipper” hat. Alan Hale was known for his great love of children. When he was dying of cancer, he learned there was a sick child in the same hospital who loved the show. He went to see the boy and said “The Skipper’s here, son, everything is going to be all right.”
During the weekends of 1974 to 1977, a new generation enjoyed the cartoon version of The New Adventures of Gilligan and by 1978, they brought back the original crew for a two-part episode named Rescue From Gilligan’s Island. This experience was renewed in 1979 and 1981.
Topics: This Day In History, Wired Gossip |
Related Posts
Comments