Who was the best actor on Gilligan's Island?

There really were only two legitimate actors- Jim Backus and Tina Louise.

There were good actors on that show?

Bob Denver did theater like "Play It Again, Sam" on stage, as well. He had to do a lot of physical comedy, and he did it well. Plus he was quite different from how he had been in "Dobie Gillis" where he played a beatnik quite famously.

Backus was typecast from this point on, but he had played straight dramas, including James Dean's father in "Rebel Without a Cause".

Alan Hale (Jr.) looked and acted just like his father Alan Hale (Sr.) from the Errol Flynn "Adventures of Robin Hood"

Natalie always played the same type of socialite.

Dawn didn't seem to get that much opportunity after the show endd, which was strange since she got the most fan mail on the show.

Tina had done Broadway and the film "God's Little Acre" and expected "Gilligan's Island" to have been built around her Apparently she must have developed an attitude which never let up, since other than a small part in the original "Stepford Wives", I don't recall her doing that much.

Russell Johnson is really good in this film noir TCM showed starring and directed by Paul Henried about college fraternity hazing ,with Johnson as the vicious frat boy.

[quote]Tina had done Broadway and the film "God's Little Acre" and expected "Gilligan's Island" to have been built around her Apparently she must have developed an attitude which never let up, since other than a small part in the original "Stepford Wives", I don't recall her doing that much.

She was also on "Dallas" the first couple of seasons, I believe.

No idea. I just want to plow the Skipper in his thick daddy butt.

I don't care much for Bob Denver as Gilligan, but he was truly terrific as Maynard G. Krebs on Dobie Gillis. So maybe him?

Two very different characters, indeed!

I can't judge acting. I don't understand how to evaluate it

I voted for Tina Louise based on the episode where she played Ginger and her lookalike.

It seems boring now. Was amazing when I was kid. Monty python if my generation

The Professor made me interested in science -- the science of how to get into his pants.

The professor was hot

Bob Denver and Dawn Wells. We live in Princeton WV, and during the 90's, he had an oldies radio station here. We used to see him and his Wife Dreama from time to time, while they were out and about. He was friendly, and would give autographs, and always had something good to say. My Brother worked in a grocery store here and actually asked him what Hollywood was like, and what was it like to be on Gilligan's Island. He said he had some great memories and experience on GI, but he said it was exhausting and not as glamorous as people think. My Brother asked him, how did you end up here in WV, and he said his Wife was from here, and he thought it was beautiful. He also said, he had more peace of mind, and, could relax more, and enjoyed having an oldies Radio Station. His house and station were on the very top of what we call "Kelly Mountain". He used to do local benefits and help promote local businesses around this area. He really was a nice person.

I don't think they ever let the Professor do a scene shirtless. That would have been hot to see.

R14 the professor was asexual.

I think the answer is clear

I recuse myself: I have never watched a single episode of GI.

Vanessa Bennett, formerly of Pine Valley Pennsylvania, was the best actor.

Dawn Wells actually did quite well in theater across the country after Gilligan's Island. She had a pretty big name because of GI and was cast often. It was ironic she didn't work on singing because she could have had an even better career. She was fired from the touring company of They're playing our song because she couldn't sing although she was perfect for the role. She did a lot of Neil Simon onstage.

That being said, Tina Louise was really good in the series.

Why is Jim Backus winning if Tina Louise is so good?

PATSY award-winning Judy the Chimp.

Denny Miller was the best.

Jim Backus was really good in Rebel without a cause so I'd say him.

The professor was the hottest though.

Kudos to R8 for honesty!! I'm a theater actor, so I think I have a basis to judge. What makes it hard is that some of the cast were given many more opportunities to show their range. For example, Dawn Wells was very, very good in her role, but seldom got anything "juicy" to play. Likewise Jim Backus was supremely talented, but Mr. Howell was really a very one-dimensional character.

My vote goes to Tina Louise, who was constantly switching from sultry sexpot to brainless bimbo -and always with a nod to us that Ginger knew what she was doing -putting on whatever act was needed to get her character what she wanted. Tina played the character on several levels at the same time.

R14 He was shirtless as a Island headhunter along with the other castaways when the crooks took Mary Ann hostage in the hut.

It was a 1st season b & w episode.

Gilligan had the most lines, stunts & facial expressions on the show. Bob did them all so well he couldn't be seen as anyone else after the show ended.

In real life he was quiet, shy, serious & smart. He was the cast member least like his character.

Didn't Zsa Zsa do an episode? I'd vote for her.

Jim Backus said that Natalie Shaffer farted all the time and smelled.

Oh, Thurston! How could you?!

too bad clint walker didn't make a appearance as a shipwrecked sailor completely shirtless of course and wearing barely there torn pants now only shorts throughout the episode!...

maybe the professor coming up with the idea to "train him and get him even stronger and bigger" to be able to help them get off the island due to his strength on a raft/the ocean, blah, blah, blah...and course Clint's character would have to be dumber than dumb, dumb and full of cum! lol!

U would need a PhD in the classics to begin to do this question justice. We should pool our money and hire one.

I shared my opinion and didn't bother voting.

R9 I agree. Tina was really good as Eva Grubb.

I know nothing about their careers, but the Skipper was such a particular performance that isn't really a 'type' like a movie star, a naive midwestern girl, a rich couple or a no-nonsense professor. I feel like that actor had to have made a lot of novel choices to create his character, who I remember from my childhood as affable, bumbling, and something of a leader but also something of a good-natured buffoon.