25 Facts About Tina Louise

Tina Louise is an American actress widely known for her career on stage, film and television, including her role as movie star Ginger Grant in the popular television situation comedy Gilligan's Island.

Tina Louise began her career on stage in the mid-1950s before landing her breakthrough role in 1958 drama film God's Little Acre for which she received the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year.

Tina Louise had a recurring role on the primetime soap opera Dallas.

Tina Louise's father, Joseph Blacker, was a candy store owner in Brooklyn, and later an accountant.

Tina Louise's parents divorced by the time she was four.

Tina Louise attended PS 6, Scarborough Day School and Miami University.

The name "Tina Louise" was added during her senior year in high school when she mentioned to her drama teacher that she was the only girl in the class without a middle name, and he suggested it.

Tina Louise got her first role at age two after being in an ad for her father's candy store.

Tina Louise began studying acting, singing, and dancing at age 17 under Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in Manhattan.

Tina Louise appeared in the live television dramas Studio One and Producers' Showcase.

Tina Louise made her film debut in 1958 in God's Little Acre.

Tina Louise became a leading lady for stars such as Robert Taylor and Richard Widmark, often playing sombre roles.

Tina Louise turned down roles in the films of Li'l Abner and Operation Petticoat, taking roles on Broadway and in Italian cinema.

Tina Louise returned to the United States, began studying with Lee Strasberg, and became a member of the Actors Studio.

Tina Louise appeared with Bob Denver two years later in the beach party film For Those Who Think Young.

Tina Louise did not appear in any of the subsequent Gilligan's Island sequel movies: Rescue from Gilligan's Island, The Castaways on Gilligan's Island, or The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island.

Tina Louise maintained a steady acting career after the series ended, going on to appear in the Matt Helm spy spoof The Wrecking Crew with Dean Martin and in The Stepford Wives.

In 2014, Tina Louise starred in the spiritual drama Tapestry and the horror film Late Phases.

Tina Louise did not reunite with them for the television film Surviving Gilligan's Island, co-produced by Wells; Ginger was portrayed by Kristen Dalton in the television film.

Tina Louise recorded for United Artists Records but recorded just one single for that label in 1958.

Tina Louise is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a lifetime member of the Actors Studio.

Tina Louise has been a vocal advocate for improving child literacy.

Tina Louise donated a portion of the proceeds of her 2007 book, When I Grow Up, to literacy programs and said in a 2013 interview that she had been volunteering at local public schools since 1996.

Tina Louise has written three books including Sunday: A Memoir and When I Grow Up.

Tina Louise campaigned for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential race.