Surprising Stories from the Set of Gilligan’s Island

For decades, male viewers have debated one of TV’s most famous questions: “Ginger or Mary Ann?” It’s a lighthearted argument with no real winner, since both characters brought their own charm—Ginger with her glamorous movie-star sparkle and Mary Ann with her sweet, girl-next-door warmth.

Fan mail, however, painted an interesting picture. Dawn Wells received more letters from young boys smitten with Mary Ann’s wholesome appeal, while Tina Louise drew the attention of grown men captivated by Ginger’s Hollywood allure. In the end, both actresses won plenty of hearts, just in different age brackets.