Dawn Wells has a go fund me account and has lost her home!

I thought Natalie Shaffer, who played Mrs. Howell, left the bulk of her estate to Dawn.

I think I read that Dawn confirmed that was just a rumor, R1

She is a real sweetheart. I pray she gets the money she needs. Her story is very sad.

R1 Schafer has been dead almost 30 years. Im sure the money got spent on who knows what if Wells indeed got it. The article says she has been struggling financially for 10 years.

We sat behind her in a Broadway theatre. Before the show started, I was pointing out something to my husband on the stage directly in front of her. She turned to us and said, “Yes, I am. I’m Maryann” and then waited for us to respond — she must have thought we were pointing at her and gawking.

By the sound of it, we should have tossed her a few bucks.

Where the hell is her GF? Too stoned to work????

Her net worth is supposedly $7 million. Just goes to show those sites are BS.

I believe she fell and injured herself a few months ago. That can be difficult for someone her ago to overcome.

From all accounts I've heard, she's a sweet lady. Hope things turn out for the best for her.

Mary Ann is apparently a GRIFTER!

It's odd she's not mentioned anything about this (needing money) on her official website or facebook page.

Regardless of the authenticity of the story, this makes me feel old. DW was the cutest little thing with her big brown eyes and cute lil' ass. Supposedly, a descendent of Wells - Fargo. Shame if it's true as she made so many people happy (mainly tween-teen boys pulling themselves off when she wore short shorts) . RIP.

This puts a lot of pressure on Tina Louise. Everyone will expect her to help out.

Op here. I was being facetious. Tina and Dawn are not friends. Tina will never help her. She would probably let her live on the street first.

R12 which would be bullshit. In no other business would someone be expected to help a former coworker of three years 50 fucking years ago.

But I think Dawn is great and hope the story is bullshit.

Motion Picture Country Home and Hospital in Woodland Hills: can't they help her?

Don't know about them R15, but the article states because of her debt she has been turned down. The point of the Go Fund Me is to get money to pay off her debt and then she can get into long term care.

What happened to all her money? Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale...

Lesbian?

Tina Louise has $6 million bucks!

Big deal R19, Dawn Wells has $7 million.

"Like a clam

Needs a shell!"

[quote]What happened to all her money?

Coconut creme pies aren't cheap.

Hope this story isn't true.

If she truly needs long-term care in a nursing home won’t CA Medicaid pay for it like all other states?

Can't she hit Thurston and Lovey up for a loan?

It's a shame she probably doesn't get much in residuals anymore, if she ever got any at all. Hell, MeTV is going to start showing three straight hours of "Gilligan" every week starting this Sunday.

How can you be worth $7 million yet be in debt and asking for money?

Well R27 it means those sites claiming celebrities are worth x amount are a bunch of BS. I posted at R7 and R20.

She was in The Town That Dreaded Sundown. She should get on the horror movie convention circuit. Between that and Gilligan's Island, she'd make a killing.

They may have been terrible TV but it's too bad in a way that shows like "Love Boat" and "Fantasy Island" are no longer around. Shows like that kept actors like Dawn -- who don't have much else going on career-wise -- working and able to make a quick paycheck when they needed it.

Nowadays I guess they can always get work doing promos for stations like MeTV.

We're hiring at Trader Joe's!

Dawn or any of other Gillian's Island stars never made a penny in residuals for the show. Most actors on TV shows prior to the 70's got screwed over that way.

The Medicaid nursing homes often leave a lot to be desired. Usually understaffed and don't give the people there the care they deserve. On the plus side, she's in her right mind, but doesn't have family to take care of her or check in on her on often.

If she gets into one of the actors homes, she will receive better care and be around others with similar interests.

She should get a job at Trader Joes.

There’s no such thing as a “Medicaid nursing home.” You need to meet a high level of care to be in a nursing home, and you either pay privately or Medicaid helps cover your stay. Maybe you mean she needs a lower level of care which would be assisted living, which Medicaid may or may not help with depending on the state.

The poor lady. She brought laughter and calm to the masses and I wish her all the best.

But yes, most nursing homes have difficulty retaining staff, as do hospitals and other large health care facilities.

She has a specific nursing home in mind. Apparently, she'll need more $$ than she has.

Trumper, methinks.

Is she not still dealing pot?

I thought Bob Denver was the pothead.

R12

The two women never got along which was Tina's doing. Dawn was known to be sweet and outgoing. Tina only wanted you around when she could use you for something. Aside from Gia Scala years ago I don't think Tina has ever had any close female friends.

Tina BTW was rumored to have had her own financial problems some years back and was rumored to be offering her favors at the time for princely sums. That was over a dozen years ago. Tina Louise will turn 85 next February.

Doesn't mater if they are friends or not, Tina has an obligation as the last remaining cast member.

[quote]It's a shame she probably doesn't get much in residuals anymore, if she ever got any at all. Hell, MeTV is going to start showing three straight hours of "Gilligan" every week starting this Sunday.

I recall there was a rumor years ago that the Gilligan Island's cast never received residuals because Sherwood Schwartz screwed them over in later deals.

R42

Where do you get that notion ? Are you going to be responsible for a co-worker you worked with decades ago should they have financial need ?

She's been a junkie for 20 years. Your finances deplete, especially when you like it ruffalo like Ms. Wells.

R43 Several of the cast, including Dawn, confirmed they didn't get any residuals.

Update from the gofundme:

"Today was an amazing day for donations. Thank you all. I have found an apartment for Dawn in a fab retirement village in Glendale Ca. Dawn is thrilled , humbled and flattered. Thank you thank you thank you for this fresh start."

Did she ever try the dinner theater circuit like Karen Valentine and Loretta Swit?

R47 Wow that's awesome. She has a true friend helping her, and true fans ponying up.

[quote] I have found an apartment for Dawn

"For" Dawn? You mean this Go Fund Me isn't by Dawn herself?

R48

She did. I remember that she was in a female version of THE ODD COUPLE back in the 70s.

From Wikipedia: Natalie Schafer died in 1991 at the age of 90. Regarding her estate: "Her investments, particularly in real estate, made her a multi-millionaire. Differing sources state that most of this fortune was bequeathed to either her Gilligan's Island co-star Dawn Wells or to care for her dogs. Wells did not comment on that, but she did claim on Vicki Lawrence's talk show Vicki! that Schafer spent her last years living with her, adding that she essentially had served as Natalie's caretaker during that time. Wells also stated on Vicki! that one of Schafer's favorite things on Gilligan's Island was "falling through quicksand".[citation needed]"

R51 I can see her as Felix, not as Oscar.

R50 No, it's by a friend of hers. I'm guessing it's legit though since news outlets like TMZ (yeah, I know) and MSN have posted about it.

This is sad. I’m glad the go fund me campaign worked.

If it's not legit, it would be like a hilarious and wacky episode of "Gilligan's Island".

Fuck her

It was at $8K five hours ago. Now it's up to $24K.

i thought she’d moved off to Idaho or Montana or somewhere up there where minor celebs go for the lower cost of living and to drink in peace. Maybe I’m thinking of Margot Kidder or Patty Duke though.

R52- I had no idea Mrs. Howell's "real" name was Lovey. I thought that was just a term of endearment that her husband used!

R57 = Tina Louise

R53 I think Sally Struthers played Oscar in that production,

[quote] Tina will never help her. She would probably let her live on the street first.

“Probably “?

I'm glad things are working out for her on go fund me.

Not having money is scary.

Dawn will be 80 on October 18.

[quote]Doesn't mater if they are friends or not, Tina has an obligation as the last remaining cast member.

Can they become roommates and do a reality show, where they're both trying for comebacks? They can have a vegetable garden, rustle up dinner dates with fans, raise rabbits for food, and sew their own clothes, etc.

It can be called HOW TO MAKE A COMEBACK ON A DOLLAR A DAY or something.

R34 you're not quite correct about there not being "Medicaid nursing homes." Many states have them for people who qualify, based on income and care needs. However in Arizona, we have something even better that many don't know about. We have a Federal Medicaid waiver. Usually waivers are requested by mean flyover states that want the waiver so the state can make sick people work for their benefits, or have weird restrictions.

But in AZ, the waiver exists in part to provide assisted living options to people on Medicaid. If you qualify based on income and care needs, you can get your stay in one of AZ's thousands of assisted living homes, 100% paid. They vary in quality, but most are quite nice and even really pleasant, large private homes with private or shared with one person rooms with pleasant decor and home-cooked meals 3x a day, and caregiving services included. There are also homes that specialize in particular diagnoses, including ALZ and other dementias. Some serve mainly veterans, etc.

DW need to show up and apply. If she's able-bodied though, she won't qualify.

$24,000 will build a nice grass hut.

Oops I forgot, R67 should have been signed

It’s actually Eunice “Lovey” Wentworth Howell, R60

$26,500 as of now.

Link so that TMZ doesn’t get the clicks.

Couldn't she make a lot selling her used panties?

G-damn freeloader.

What did Dawn do with all the money that old dyke Mrs. Howell left her?

Per the article, Dawn lost a lot of money in the Great Recession. Same as a lot of other folks

Thabks for the informative post, R67. We have an aged/disables waiver program in my state, although it only pays for care at home if you meet the same medical and financial criteria to be eligible for nursing home Medicaid. Long waitlist. What I meant in my post is that there are no scary “Medicaid nursing homes” that provide poor care for only poor people who need Medicaid to subsidize their stay. You either bill Medicare/Medicare replacement for short term skilled services or Medicaid/private pay if you need long-term care. You get the same care in Medicare/Medicaid certified homes whether you are on Medicaid or have resources to pay privately. Of course, facilities vary in how they are run. Sounds like dawn just needs a “retirement community” which someone confused as a nursing home upthread. Very different!

The American Indians had a very efficient retirement program that was accepted by all.

When one became to old/feeble to be useful he would be led way up into the mountains and left there!

What fucked up stupid source did you use for that miserable comment, R76? Elders are valuable and respected members of their community. Children of today’s good families are still taught to be helpful to their needs, and to listen to the oral history of their families.

A fabulous elderister once said that there is no reason for any fish to receive public assistance when she has that goldmine between her legs.

It's up to $63,000 now.

She commented about it finally on her facebook page.

[quote]Wow! I am amazed at the kindness and affection I have received from the current outpouring in regards to the Go Fund Me Page that is grabbing so much attention and want to address it. A dear dear friend of mine with a big heart was trying to help me with some common issues we all understand and some must face. He create that page with the love an emotion like someone protecting their child. In a recent conversation with him I remarked Where did the time go? I don't know how this happened. I thought I was taking all the proper steps to ensure my golden years. Now, here I am, no family, no husband, no kids and no money. Im grateful that God has given me so many friends and fans who care, or it would all be too ....overwhelming .....I am grateful to any of my fans who are willing to offer support. However, please know that my outlook is positive and I look forward to seeing you all in my travels.

Her message at R79 sounds like she's disowning it.

He might not have asked for her approval beforehand, but I doubt she'll turn the money down, since she really needs it.

She's kind of the most beloved girl TV star of her era, isn't she? In a way?

The idea of America supporting Mary Ann through her modest golden years by everyone sending in a dollar is kind of cute.

We can afford it!

TRIVIA: Ginger's iconic beaded dress was by Nolan Miller, who later did DYNASTY.

I don't know if he did Mary Ann's cutoffs and gingham [italic]schmattas,[/italic] too.

She has 383,850 "likes" on her facebook page. If every one of those people donated $1, she'd have twice the amount of her goal.

I thought she made a bunch of money by designing tear-away clothing for elderly people. Or am I thinking of some other TV star of the era?

Tear-away clothes (or at least panties) sound more like Ginger's thing.

R85 She did. It was called "Wishing Wells". Although it was a great idea, apparently it wasn't that successful, because the company went defunct some time ago. Maybe that's where some her money went.

I didn't read it as that R80. She just stated a dear friend of hers started it.

Medicare, Medicaid...it's confusing. I'm familiar with Medi-Cal in CA and I was trying to figure out what Medicaid covered. Googled it and ok, Medi-Cal is the same Medicaid.

My mom has very little income and assets so she gets Medi-Cal and it helps cover her Medicare and prescription drug premiums.

It's even more complicated than that, R89. Your mom has what is called a "Medi-Medi" or dual program, where the state Medicaid program pays for her Medicare premiums, and Medicare is the primary on her insurance, and Medicaid is the secondary.

Screw residuals, what about AFTRA pension? She must have belonged to at least one union.

R47, 66K does not get you a unit in a retirement village anywhere for more than six months.

Yes, R90, I meant to end the last sentence along the lines of "amongst other things." but forgot. She was kicked off Medi-Cal because her bank total exceeded $2,000 off and on. My brother got her reinstated, thank god. Medi-Cal is so important as she can't afford Medicare premiums and of course, any hospital stay or nursing care would wipe her out immediately.

Tina Louise sends her best wishes ;)

From R93's link:

[quote] Tina Louise: "I just heard that Dawn Wells has not been feeling well. Me, caprice crane and our newest arrivals are sending Dawn our very best wishes for a speedy recovery and all good things in the future""

"Best wishes" is not $$.

She supposedly needs $194k, so why is the gofundme limit set at $180K?

R91 They said one the celebrity ones would take her in if her debts were paid off.

But you're right that she should be getting a SAG/AFTRA pension at least.

And her total is over $92,000 as a type this. At this rate, she might meet her goal and then some. And it seems like she's still wanting to public appearances/autograph signings, which will add to her income. Not sure if she's still working for METV or not, if she is that could help her also.

Tina could've at least posted a link to Dawn's go fund me.

I’m glad this has a happy ending. Dawn seems like a lovely person. I may be gay but I always preferred Maryann over Ginger.

One good thing about being famous. Whoever likes you will donate to your gofund me.

I hear that the nice folks at Go Fund Me take a 10% CUT of the donated funds.

That's what bugs me about that platform R100, but what's the alternative? I realize there are expenses maintaining the site and salaries so it would be helpful to know what their expenses are and what their profit is. There are 137 complaints with the Better Business Bureau. I don't know if that is a lot against a company. If you google reviews for them they aren't very good.

As long as her stink-hole can open up there is no need to send her money.

Tina is pissed because Dawn beat her to this great idea.

I didn’t really have a good opinion of Tina Louise but her comment was very nice.

Are you listening mean old lady Susan Dey ?

"Tina Louise has $6 million bucks!"

That's a lot of blow jobs!

R93 Do the "Gilligan Girls" get along now?

I thought ever since Dawn's behind-the scenes G.I. film, they haven't spoken to one another.

Tina's post of her two grandkids picture & mention of her daughter seems like a response to Dawn's mention of "no family, no kids".

I'm a fan of both actresses but it seems like a sneaky jab when you also factor in no link to her Go Fund Me page.

Also why is Dawn mentioning "travels" in her thank you response? Doesn't she know "travels" (which implies more than one trip) costs money?

Maybe she shouldn't be mentioning another expense when she can't cover her current medical ones. Does she even know how to budget at all?

TAKE AWAY HER MAKEUP! Too expensive.

Dawn has three holes. Get to work Dawn!

$111,400.

I actually follow her on Facebook. She was constantly doing the fan convention circuit and personal appearances but who knows how much money she actually makes doing that. Looking up her IMDB , shows voice over work too. I think she also had a cook book she was hawking.I doubt ishe actually works enough to cover unseen medical expenses. It sounds like she’s been struggling financially for a while. It actually does not surprise me she was in debt.

I actually had a very nice encounter with her some years back. I was dropping off a gift for a friend who was in a show with her. I ran into Dawn coming back into the theater and she offered to call my friend to let her know I was at the theatre. She looked great ,was very nice and I remember watching her earlier interact with fans. Seemed very down to earth and exactly what you would hope she would be like,

She was arrested for drunk driving

Didn’t she have a line of mail order pies and desserts some years ago?

One of the comments in R109's link:

[quote] I wish I could help you but I also have a gofundme page that no one has donated to so far as I need medical help also but I wish you all the best and God Bless you

What is sad R113 is Dawn probably has the means to get the money she needs whereas that woman that posted to her doesn't.

Bitch! OP is worse than the traitor in the White House,

Actually this OP had a better title and I’m glad seemingly got her problem solved....

Dawn seemingly.

Where did they go to the bathroom on the island?

That would be like camping R117.

Are there nude photos of The Professor?

She said in an interview last year, the most she made on Gilligan's Island was $700 a week. Then add to that she didn't get any residuals either, and the show has been in syndication worldwide for 5 decades now. She (and the other cast members) were really screwed over.

[quote]She has 383,850 "likes" on her facebook page. If every one of those people donated $1, she'd have twice the amount of her goal.

Usually a lot of the people who like or share about a gofundme never donate. I saw this back in March on a much smaller scale. A former co-worker of mine passed away unexpectedly. This woman had been a paramedic and nurse in a nearby town and a lot of people knew her through that. She commuted to the non-profit that we worked for. This woman was homophobic, racist, and hated anyone who wasn't Christian. The non-profit we worked for provides services to people with disabilities and so we often brought in different therapists in on to consult and work with clients. She got fired after making horrible statements to a Sikh man who was doing occupational therapy consulting with us.

After she got fired, I heard she didn't work again claiming health issues. When she passed away in March, my former boss said that her kids said she had been suffering with fibromyalgia and other health problems.. She had a Facebook page that was mostly on set on public. There were tons of posts of people talking about how she was a "kind Christian" woman and how she was a good nurse and paramedic in that town. A friend of hers started a gofundme for funeral expenses. The goal was set at $5,000. I looked at the gofundme page and it been shared 113 times on social media. But, only 7 people donated and the amount of those donations was $400. It was funny how there were a lot of shares and likes about the Gofundme, but most of those people didn't donate.

A few weeks back I met up with my former boss and a former co-worker. We discussed the deceased woman and my former boss said that he had heard that her husband had her cremated a couple of days after her death and a memorial service was held the following week.

$700 in 1964 is about $7000 in 2018 dollars

Sherwood Swartz ripped them off. He got filthy rich on the Gilligan Island syndication rights, but as was the custom at the time, the cast didn't get any royalties after the third or so rerun. He could've at least shared some of his fortune with them, but he kept them starving and eager to do his crappy reunion movies.

That is irrelevant now R122. We've had recessions since then that took a toll on people's finances where they barely or didn't recover. Gilligan's Island was on for only three years and guest starring roles don't pay what a regular would get.

Already close to $130K.

My prediction for news item next month: "Dawn Wells in legal dispute with former friend who raised funds"

It wouldn't be hard for her to do a GILLIGAN'S ISLAND themed sex tape of a gangbang with her fans.

That's where the big money is.

So Tina DID donate! See comment from "Leslie" (20 hrs ago) in R109's link:

[quote] I know I am instrumental in getting this word about Dawn Wells out there. I even emailed Tina Louise (Ginger)... I feel Dawn Wells made us laugh for years, why not help her. And if she ends up in a Glendale facility, then all the better, they are the best for her type... I used to live in Glendale for 10 years. My mother was best pals with Tina Louise, and Tina is very kind and I know she donated, I saw it. Thanks to all who did this... I'm sure Dawn will be pleased if she isn't already. Thanks Tina for your donation. I'll call you soon. My mother would be proud of you. Check out photo #1 of my mom and Tina in their first show together TWO'S COMPANY! And the second is the whole cast at Tina's wedding to Les Crane.

R111, that was weed driving, not drunk driving.

All of these medical bills, has she ever heard of MEDICARE? There's something not quite right about this. And Dawn seems very nice, but wired - hyper as hell like she's on something.

Medicare doesn't pay for all of your medical bills R128. I was fortunate my mom had supplemental insurance that picked up the rest.

Almost 136K.

get them coins, hunty!

R128 Medicare doesn't cover nursing homes/assisted living except for few months.

[quote]They said one the celebrity ones would take her in if her debts were paid off. But you're right that she should be getting a SAG/AFTRA pension at least.

I'm assuming the home for actors that she's going into just needed her to pay off her debts, then would be using her SAG/AFTRA pension (along with Medicare/Social Security/whatever) to pay her monthly living costs.

I don't think creditors can go after a persons pension R132. She should have just declared bankruptcy.

I am one of the most caring and empathetic Souls towards people in unfortunate situations, hell, even more so towards animals....but this is ridiculous! Why should we feel the need to look out for her? This reminds of the "Star-Studded events to raise money for....." and celebrities with combined net worths in the BILLIONS are soliciting the average, under-paid nobody to send in their donations. Not only do SAG members get a very nice medical plan included in their benefits, there are organizations that are affiliated thru SAG that would help her. Because of a stupid TV show from the 60's Ms. Wells should be looked after?....How about the widow in her 60's on SS that worked for 20+ yrs and is lucky if there will still BE Social Security for her to collect when she is in her 80's like Ms. Wells.

No kidding R131. I'm talking about the hospital bills, if indeed they ARE hospital bills.

Actor and martial artist Ernie Reyes Jr had a gofundme a few years back when he was ill due to kidney failure. Reyes occasionally does guest spots on TV shows, so I wonder if he gets some help via SAG insurance. In a youtube video last year, Reyes said he's better these days, but does dialysis three days a week. I also recall Tracy Nelson had financial issues after she let her SAG insurance lapse because she didn't work because she was raising her kids.

You have to have earned a little over $17,000 for one plan and a little under $34,000 for another plan. They also have an age and service eligibility. It is easy to see how she would have lost her insurance.

Dawn needs a geriatric social worker and/or a long term care lawyer. Taking up a GoFundMe collection means that she will exceed income limits for public assistance, which will be the only way she can afford long-term care. Whatever money she collects will be spent quickly, and she'll be back where she started.

Maybe this is okay if it buys her some time to make other arrangements, but if she's elderly and broke, then she needs to come up with a plan to meet her needs for say the next 5 to 10 years, in the absence of public collections.

I'm sure some Gilligan's Island fans would gladly offer up a room for her to stay. She could help out with gardening like Lucille Ball did at the end of "Stone Pillow."

R138 Can she even afford to hire a lawyer at this point?

I think her plan is to pay off her debts so she can be eligible to move into one of the actor retirement homes. Apparently you can't be in debt to get into one. They've taken in actors who haven't worked in decades. Although they were probably also lucky enough to be debt free.

[quote]r138 Taking up a GoFundMe collection means that she will exceed income limits for public assistance

I don't believe gifts and donations are considered "income". It should be put in a trust, which pays its separate taxes...then income distributions are made on an As Needed basis. Since the tax has already been payed by the trust, the beneficiary is not then taxed again.

There are plenty of celebrity friends who could help Dawn out, including Alison Arngrim who she's seen with in this pic from last year.

Hmmm, looks to me that she has been working pretty steadily, including two productions this year.

Where can I donate my coconuts?

Can't she sell her hair to wigmakers?

We should only step in once she's done all she can.

R145 She wears a wig. She always has.

Interesting that her IMDb bio said she couldn't be ballerina because she had bad knees. She fell and broke one of them. Not good at age 79. Must've been pretty bad for her to be in the hospital for two months. Probably lots of physical therapy too.

Dawn's a nice lady and willing to work hard. Always super nice to fans. And what hasn't she tried to generate income?

--the acting school --the cookbook and the WWMA Do? book --the tearaway clothes for the elderly (it's not that they weren't good, it's that they got copied--Google "Adaptive Clothing for Seniors") --conventions --selling career memorabilia (Mary Ann's blouse) --the potato spokesperson/the coconut cream pies --the GI behind the scenes film --indie movies and web series She's done all the above in the years people typically slow down or retire (55 and up)

Plus she has always done tons of theatre; THAT'S what she did after Gilligan's Island, especially in the heyday of stock and dinner theatre, for decades. Name a play from back then with a leading lady role, she did it somewhere, from BUS STOP with Ruby Dee to THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT, GASLIGHT, CHAPTER TWO, LOVE IN E FLAT, THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG, THE LION IN WINTER. It's not so much SAG and AFTRA as one would think she'd have to be vested (i.e.at an age where she doesn't have to earn work weeks or income to participate) in Actors Equity's health plan.

She was at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre in FL last year for several weeks, doing 8 performances a week of STEEL MAGNOLIAS at age 78. She's done LOVE LETTERS a few times and did LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE in NYC in recent years.

She's there for the fans and will even answer to "Mary Ann" if you don't remember her real name. She hasn't gotten residuals from GI since a few years after it aired, but it's still constantly on the air around the world. It wouldn't still be on the air if people weren't watching. Were it a series from recent years with the circulation GI had, she'd be wealthy. She didn't make a bad deal--she got the standard deal for back then. Actors got screwed while producers raked it in, unless you were an actor who owned part or all of your show. Maybe technically you can be cold and say "those are the breaks, Dawn" but if everyone for whom GI has any meaning gave $1 she'd be set for life.

R148 After reading that I can't believe nobody would offer to take her in. Maybe someone with a spare bedroom in their home.

Wells Gofar Bank

$150,400

Man, in that photo at R142 from last year she could pass for her mid-50s not mid-70s.

R148, I'm surprised over the years that Dawn was never able to score more TV roles given what a recognizable face she is from GI -- the reruns, as you point out, have been on for decades. She could've been perfectly fine in some sitcom as someone's mother or grandmother.

I think it's a shame that stars from old shows like GI can't negotiate new deals with regard to residuals considering how much money those shows bring in from syndication. Just last year or so, Deadline posted an article saying how people wouldn't believe the millions of dollars CBS still makes on reruns of "I Love Lucy," despite the show being well over 60 years old.

The picture posted by R142 was from October 6, 2017, 12 days before her 79th birthday.

R152 It's kinda hard to believe she'll be 80 next month. She always had a "babyface" and has aged well. I'm sure most people without knowing anything about her, would peg her as being considerably younger, especially if she was all made up.

This is why I want to die before I go broke and have to go to an assisted living facility that smells like cat piss.

Being recognizable from Gilligan's Island is probably why she didn't get more roles R153.

The gofundme account is up to $158,295.

I saw an interview many years ago and she said one of the stagehands introduced himself and told her he watched Gilligan's Island and she got him through puberty. She said she wasn't sure what he meant by that.

$160,000!!

Wells must really have very poor money management skills to have lost all the money she's had in her lifetime.

How much money do you think she had in her lifetime R159?

R159 I was thinking the same thing. WHAT is she spending her money on? Her health to my knowledge has been good all her life. She has worked constantly in the 50 years GI has been off the air, albeit with pay the bills type productions that D listers like her do. Not to mention the money Schafer maybe left her. Does anyone know how much the SAG pension is and is it the same for all actors? She may be the type of person that has never learned to live modestly.

This is a perfect example of people assuming they know a celebrities life. Just because you don't know what is going on in their life doesn't mean there are no life altering things going on. We don't know what her past health problems may have been. This life threatening surgery she recently had, was it something chronic that got worse, was it an accident? People can look heathy, but are dealing with an illness you don't see. Maybe she was generous to a fault in helping people. This being so judgmental about people you don't know needs to stop. It is very easy to type anonymously to a website, but I'm sure some of the judgmental people here are not living stellar lives.

Hmmm, no TV roles after Gilligan. I saw her in a commercial about oven cleaners or something, her head was in the oven, circa 1970. But that's it for television. Had enough $ to live, then lost it all, we're told. She's been "single" most of her adult life. Could be gay, but I'm thinking of some nefarious personal issue - either substance abuse or mental illness.

Why don't one of YOU offer a room to her?

She might not have been a regular on TV since Gilligan's Island R163, but she has been on many series as a guest star.

Cool, R164, but we're talking about MONEY and a guest shot doesn't pay.

Where is she living at the moment? The rents are astronomical in LA.

Read your own comment R165 at R163. You said "no TV roles, which is incorrect. Those one shot TV roles add up. Not as lucrative, obviously, as being a star on a TV series. Talk for yourself and not the other posters here.

Estelle Parsons said in some interview years ago that her guest spots on the original Roseanne series didn't pay well.

She shouldn't have spent it all on weed.

They may not pay well on per episode, but if you are a regular it adds up R168. For a lot of people we could live off of "didn't pay well." Maybe she was use to making x amount and her pay on Roseanne was less than.

[quote]But you're right that she should be getting a SAG/AFTRA pension at least.

The pension is based on earnings. I can only assume the rates in the 60s for the TV agreement was low and that she wasn't making much. Also, like the health benefit, one must earn a certain amount for it to be considered a pension credit and to even vest you need four/five years of consecutive earnings. I'm not sure what other covered work she was doing at the time of Gilligan's Island if anything and it doesn't look like she has done much post then so I would guess her pension is really low.

Darlings, a TV SERIES would have made her a very rich woman.

My Alice guest spots paid enough to buy me a handsome man to keep me. That and the denture ads.

It was on for only three years R172.

[quote]She was at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre in FL last year for several weeks, doing 8 performances a week of STEEL MAGNOLIAS at age 78.

And was FABULOUS as Shelby.

R174, IF DAWN HAD A TV SERIES AFTER GI in a lead role.

Not necessarily R176.

I posted earlier where celebrity net worth had Dawn at $7 million. Just checked and now they have her at $50,000. Just goes to show how worthless those sites are.

R178 I'd say the vast majority of the amounts of celebrity net worth are wrong.

They still have the wrong amount she made for Gillian's Island. I watched the interview where she talked about how much she earned, and she *the most* she made a week was $700. I'm sure that was towards the end of the series run and she was paid less than that before. She also said she only got around $5,000 in residuals from the first 5 times it was shown in reruns and nothing after that.

Then how come Tina Louise has millions?

R180 she probably doesn’t. Tina works sparingly. I know she took years off to teach reading to inner city kids or something. But she was married for a long time and she has her daughter for support too. It’s to safe to say she has more money than Wells. Tina might’ve invested her money wisely too.

R180 Tina worked more than Dawn did both before and after GI in both film and television. I'm sure she was paid more than Dawn since she wasn't an unknown like Dawn (who was probably the lowest paid person on the show). Dawn and Russell Johnson weren't even shown or mentioned in the first season's opening credits and were only listed in the end credits. And Russell had been in the business for a while at that time and wasn't an unknown. I'm sure he was paid more than Dawn was also.

What's really cool is that most donations are like $10, $5, $12, etc.. People who don't have much usually are the ones who give...

I wonder if Sherwood Schwartz would've bother to contribute anything? He had over 150 million from GI and Brady Bunch syndication. He should've given each main cast member from both series at least a million. Like he would've even noticed the loss.

What are the tax implications for a big influx like this? Will she be taxed as a person earning 150K per annum? Because it will be a big hit.

R184 He screwed over both the Gillian Island and Brady Bunch cast when it came to residuals. He still would've made more money than he would've ever needed in his lifetime (plus whomever he left his estate to), if he gave his actors a fair deal for the residuals they deserved.

[quote]Russell had been in the business for a while at that time and wasn't an unknown.

Yes, Russell had been a regular fixture in guest roles in series during both the '50s and '60s.

It is considered a gift R185 so she won't be taxed. If an individual gave her over $10,000 then she would have to declare that.

[quote]r180 Then how come Tina Louise has millions?

She was raised on Park Avenue, or something. Her stepfather Dr. John Myers was a society figure, and she graduated from the Scarborough High School in Westchester.

I've always heard she was raised by her mother R189, who was a fashion model. Never heard of a stepfather. Do you have a link?

Dawn, if you're reading, I'm getting your room ready.

r190 This isn't some super releable site....but it repeats things I've read elsewhere.

Thanks R192.

I am surprised Tina Louise's film career didn't go further. But rumor has it she's somewhat prikly.

Which is FINE...but in the 1950s execs just expected starlets to lay down and lock their ankles behind their heads during a coffee break.

I imagine she said, "Um, no thanks."

Tina Louise was a terrible actress.

No, she's not. She's not a BLAZING bundle of talent, but she was alright. She was extraordinarily beautiful, though...and that's what mostly counted back then.

She turned down a big film her studio wanted her in (OPERATION PETTICOAT) and after that I imagine they just washed their hands of putting real effort into her.

$170,159

The highest donation was $2,500 but many are small donations under $100. It looks like she'll meet her goal.

Some weed magnate should make her their spokeselder.

She could be tending a crop on Gilligan's Island!! Mary Ann WAS a farm girl.

[italic]"People ask me how I made it through the days out here..."

There are a lot of unflattering pics of Tina Louise in present day, but I think this is what she sees when she looks into the mirror.

I saw Tina Louise in a shoe store, plopped down next to her and babbled away. Then I left.

She was perfectly nice.

She's probably kicking herself for leaving the island.

[quote]There are a lot of unflattering pics of Tina Louise in present day, but I think this is what she sees when she looks into the mirror.

She didn't age well. I was wondering if she had plastic surgery.

It looks like Jewess Tina has had a few more nose jobs since her initial success.

I thought Tina was genuinely scary as the prison matron in the Deborah Raffin potboiler "Nightmare in Badham County", a movie that was a gigantic hit in China.

[quote]Tina Louise was a terrible actress.

Oh look, Dawn's new place has wi-fi.

[quote]r205 I thought Tina was genuinely scary as the prison matron in the Deborah Raffin potboiler "Nightmare in Badham County", a movie that was a gigantic hit in China.

A truly sensitive coming of age story...not sensationalized in the least.

We need more good, clean pictures like that.

$171,700.

This is as exciting as it was waiting for them to get off the island.

Bob Denver's widow Dreama comments on Dawn's situation.

"Because so many of you know that Dawn Wells and I have been close friends for the last 40 years, many of you have been PMing me to ask about her current situation. I didn’t feel it was my place to speak publicly about her private affairs, so I thought I’d share this statement from her representative B. Harlan Boll, which you will find at the end of my post.

For the most part, the online comments have been loving and supportive, but I’ve also read critical comments that are hurtful to those of us who know and love her. Social media can be a cruel, cruel place, so when I read comments like ‘she must have squandered her fortune’, I have to sigh. There was no fortune!

In the early days of television, actors weren’t paid the kind of money they’re paid today and, trust me, there have been no residuals in the 50+ years Gilligan’s Island has been rerunning. When actors signed contracts in the 60s, no one had any idea that video, DVDs, cable, Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime were the wave of the future. No one had a clue that his/her show could stay on the air for 50 years. Bob always said had he known any of this, he would have made a better deal!

Dawn is one of the hardest working women I know and at 79, still beautiful. Anyone who’s met her will attest to her genuineness. Like Bob, she has always been kind and gracious to her fans. When she did a fundraiser for me in Bluefield 10 years ago, she wouldn’t leave the building until she had taken a photo with every single fan. It took hours!

I love Dawn like a sister and treasure the appearances we’ve made together. The legacy of love inspired by Gilligan’s Island has been a huge comfort to me since Bob’s death and is an unbelievable comfort to Dawn as she recuperates. So . . . To all of you who have chosen to support Dawn through all of this, thank you and much love.

There’s not one of us who can’t say, “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”

Comments from Dawn's representative. She wasn't aware about the Go Fund Me until after her friend created it for her. She will be accepting the money.

" From B Harlan Boll

For those of you texting, e.mailing, calling and private messengering me the last couple days, I apologize for not getting back to you. I have been dealing with the media (practically EVERY outlet around the world) while trying to accurately and professionally handle this unexpected situation surrounding Dawn Wells. For the record YES, the Go-Fund-Me page is legit. I realize that as Dawn's representative, my failure to or lack of commenting has resulted in much speculation as to it authenticity.

Now THE FACTS: Although Dawn wont deny that she is indeed having a rough time of it, as many Americans are, between the medical bills and an IRS audit that punished her severely with a hefty penalty for a simple and unintentional mistake, she has been keeping her wits about herself and like so many others in the U.S. today, is doing her best to overcome difficult times. However, she was caught completely unaware of her well intended and dear friend's creation of a Go Fund Me page. It has been both embarrassing and humbling for Dawn.

Until today, it had not yet been decided whether she would return the funds so generously donated by her fans and friends or if she would accept the situation as a gift from God and place the money into a trust/fund (for transparency purposes) to help alleviate the previously mentioned issues. Above all else, Dawn is overwhelmed by the response of this effort and touched by all the people writing in, if only to share about their own situations. How, they too, despite all the planning for the future, discovered how things can go so wrong without warning. It had been somehow comforting to know that she is not alone - That others have experienced this same sense of powerlessness. If you will forgive the obvious parallel ... Like a cast-a-way, alone and forgotten by the outside world. God bless you all."

I hope she hits a million dollars.

TAKE THAT, GINGER!

[quote] and an IRS audit that punished her severely with a hefty penalty for a simple and unintentional mistake

That's a new wrinkle heretofore not mentioned.

How much does she need? If she is close is that good enough? Is that Sherwood Whatever still alive? Bastard.

Holy crap, only 5,000 away from reaching her goal in just 12 days!

Well played Mary Ann, well played.

[quote] Tina's going to be on the rag for this one.

Read R127. Tina donated.

I did R217, I am sure Tina just did that through peer pressure and image. How much did she donate? 5 bucks?

Whatever reason whatever amount it was very nice ...

R206, LOL!

We want Dawn to be happy.

[quote]I am sure Tina just did that through peer pressure and image. How much did she donate? 5 bucks?

Three coconuts. Enough for two pies.

$176,300

I usually fall asleep with my TV on and was shocked a few months ago when I woke up in the middle of the night and saw Dawn Wells in an episode of "77 Sunset Strip." Don't know who she was playing exactly (I went right back to sleep) but it just surprised me because I honestly had never seen her in anything other than GI before.

Tina Louise was never worth $7 million. My dad was fucking her in the 70s and gave her $1500 a month.

$178,117... almost there!!!!

R225 More details!

R226 No it doesn't automatically close when the goal is met. Some close it after that and some keep it open for a while. Dawn can get even more money if people keep donating.

scam i never believe go fund me shit. all lies

The friend of Dawn's that created the Go Fund Me is hairstylist in the Television and Film Industry. And yeah, he's gay. Wonder if he's ever lurked or posted here?

I looked at the gofundme page and over 4700 people have contributed. The names I saw were giving small amounts which was rather sweet.

Some were anonymous, but most of the names were men.

Lots of guys with fond memories of Mary Ann.

[quote]Tina Louise was never worth $7 million. My dad was fucking her in the 70s and gave her $1500 a month.

That's like $9,800 in 2018, R225. She wasn't cheap.

[quote]r225 Tina Louise was never worth $7 million. My dad was fucking her in the 70s and gave her $1500 a month.

Is this true? I wonder how many "benefactors" she juggled.

($1,500 in 1975 would work out to $7,026 today.)

She had at least 2 others during that time period that I know of. She rarely worked and didn't come from a wealthy family.

SHE HIT IT!!!!! $180K!!!!

Is it possible to read comments from the donors on a GoFundMe page?

They had the comments on the page before, not sure what happened to them, R235.

[quote] Tina Louise has $6 million bucks!

$12 million of it in her face.

[quote]r233 She had at least 2 others during that time period that I know of. She rarely worked and didn't come from a wealthy family.

May I ask how your father made her aquaintance? And, why did it end?

Did he say anything about what type of person she was...or was this all uncovered by your poor widowed mother when she started going through his old bookkeeping ? ?

No demands that Dawn come out?

Sportsman's Lodge in Studio City, he was a bored horndog and moved on, my parents are divorced and both still living. My dad unfortunately didn't say much about her- she had a house off Coldwater Canyon, Beverly Hills PO.

He actually did date Valerie Perrine- he likes her a lot.

r240 thanx.

I don't have any judgements on prostitution, which is what some marriages and relationships are, and have always been.

It was interesting in reading about Heidi Fleiss and books on other madams that some of their high end workers were (supposedly) out of work actresses and beauty contestants the public would know. What was even more interesting to me was that some of the women went on to marry important clients who were in the entertainment industry.

It makes sense. Both partners are entering the marriage with their eyes wide open, knowing what's important to the other: money and sex.

I surprised nobody has thought of getting Tina and Dawn back together for a TV series about aging, financially-struggling former starlets. This could be big hit for ABC.

She should do some of those 'an evening with' events.... they're easy money.

An Evening with Dawn Wells. "Hello, everyone, I'm Dawn Wells. You may remember me from Gilligan's Island." And....Scene!

Has her famous niece - the renowned Boston private investigator Tiffany - offered to lend a helping hand?

Money keeps coming -- up to $185,000.

[quote]He actually did date Valerie Perrine- he likes her a lot.

Which version of Valerie did your father date R240? Hope it was the former and not the later. She just got new teeth.

Tina was a natural for a Stepford wife, not exactly a stretch.

This was very interesting.

Dawn Welles wasn't the original Mary Ann (who was first called Bunny.) It was some blonde chick. The Ginger and Professor were different actors in the original, unaired pilot, as well....and their characters were somewhat different.

Those poor three didn't test well with audiences who were brought in.

NEXT!

Tina Louise did not do a GI reunion because Schwartz offered her 50k. She said 100k which he refused. If all the other actors had supported her they would have also gotten twice as much which the producer could easily have afforded.

Even the kids from Brady Bunch make no money while the Schwartz heirs rake it in. I assume Reed and Henderson got permanent syndication deals. I would hope. Reed was alone at the end so I wonder who he left his estate to. He was permanently estranged from his mother and nobody knows why and had a short-lived reconciliation with his daughter. A deeply unhappy man which does not show at all in the show.

Update:

[quote] Thank you all. I have found an apartment for Dawn in a fab retirement village in Glendale Ca.

She has Parkinson's R247, you asshole. Unfortunately she lost some of teeth to Parkinson's medication.

Dawn, your room is ready.

Valerie was gorgeous in the 70s.

She’s up to $8 Million now. That’s a shit ton of coconut.

[quote]She has Parkinson's [R247], you asshole. Unfortunately she lost some of teeth to Parkinson's medication.

She's also 75. I felt bad for her when I saw the side by side picture of her then and now. Ignoring the Parkinson's and the drugs causing her teeth to fall out she still looks good for her age.

They moved the goal to $194,000.

[quote]i had to up the goal because of fees that go fund me has. I didn’t take that into consideration

I feel sad for the other people asking for help on Go Fund Me that will never get the help because they are not famous. The times I have gone there it seems to be a platform of who can write the best sob story. If you have a goal of $10,000 once you reach it end the campaign so others may get a chance of people donating to them. I can't put my finger on it, but it is something that made me feel uncomfortable. Maybe it is a feeling that it is a popularity contest.

GoFundMe charges a 2.9 percent payment processing fee and $0.30 per donation. The fees are currently around $6,900 for Dawn's account.

That 30 cents is a slap in the face to the donors. I'd like the see the financial on Go Fund Me to see how much profit they are making.

I've only donated to a GoFundMe a few times, R259. One was for a dog hit by a car and the other from the critical comments I read was pocketed. They were both small amounts.

I have not donated to Dawn Well's GoFundMe but considering it. I might be in the same boat someday but I don't have the advantage of being a celebrity to raise money.

Well unlike the celebrities of today, I do feel sorry for Dawn Wells because she did not make millions and squander it recklessly. All the famous people you see today are millionaires many times over. Kardashians almost up to 1 billion dollars for doing nothing except talking about their stinking pussies. All the Real Housewives are making 20, 50, 100k a week! That douche bag Chumly on Pawn Stars is making 25,000 per episode. That couple that rehabs homes in Texas, 50k a week. Don't even get me started on Vander Poop.

R254, maybe Miss Welles would be more comfortable in one of our themed rooms.

[quote]I might be in the same boat someday but I don't have the advantage of being a celebrity to raise money.

Then you're fucked.

Hmmm, this got me thinking.

R264 If she does well with the light household chores and gardening we might let her pick a color for her room and have it painted.

Its kind of interesting when you think about it. The Internet wasn't around when Giligan's Island was made let a alone a Go Fund me site. Or apparently the concept of demanding royalties for that matter. Not in her wildest dreams could she have ever guess that some day 60 years later her fans would come to her rescue through technology.

[quote]r259 I can't put my finger on it, but it is something that made me feel uncomfortable. Maybe it is a feeling that it is a popularity contest.

What did you think life is?

[quote]but it is something that made me feel uncomfortable. Maybe it is a feeling that it is a popularity contest.

Tell me about it, I have been part of a popularity contest called Ginger or Mary Ann, for 50 years!

The fundraiser finally reached it's goal. Mary Ann was rescued by her fans!

Even if she had a crystal ball to see what the show would earn in syndication and demanded just royalty sharing in her contract she would have been replaced so fast.

Bob Denver I hope got a fat paycheck every year. Or did he have an idiot agent who made his commission and had him give away the family store like Neil Simon's?

And why was Florence Henderson stuck doing Wesson commercials?

Didn't she have Schwartz by the balls?

Happy 80th Birthday, Dawn. Now $200K richer.

??? ???

Has Susan Dey weighed in, or do you have to die for her to ignore you?

That's a shame.

A shame she got 200k? Someone please shame me too!

I once heard a story that Dawn was on tour with Dody Goodman in NUNSENSE. They arrived at a touring stop once and their hotel rooms weren’t ready. Dody said “If our rooms aren’t ready in five minutes I’m gonna pull down my panties and show ‘em my pussy!” To which Dawn aghast said “Oh, Dody! Not again.” True story.

Has she blown it all on pot yet?

You know what, tho ... Welles should seriously invest in a pot farm, and market [italic]Mary Ann's Island Blend.[/italic]

People would buy it just for the tin.

Her lost business opportunity was Dawn Wells' Coconut Cream Pie.

If any DLers have a free week next November, you can take a 6 day tour with Dawn and other classic TV faves!

[quote]r281 Her lost business opportunity was Dawn Wells' Coconut Cream Pie.

Was that a porno?

I would consider taking that R282.

I would have let the professor cream pie me.