Surprising Stories from the Set of Gilligan’s Island

Bob Denver almost missed out on becoming Gilligan. Sherwood Schwartz hesitated because Denver was famous for playing beatnik Maynard G. Krebs on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. Schwartz didn’t want a laid-back hipster—he wanted someone with an innocent, clumsy charm for Gilligan’s role.

But when the two finally met, Denver showed he could drop the beatnik act and become the lovable goof Schwartz imagined. His performance sealed the deal, giving the show its perfect lead. It’s hard to picture anyone else tumbling across that island, so thank goodness he convinced them.