Bob Denver, the beloved actor who portrayed bumbling first mate Gilligan on the classic 1960s series Gilligan's Island, died Friday at Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital in North Carolina. Although Denver suffered from heart problems that demanded that he undergo quadruple bypass surgery earlier this year, his agent, Mike Eisenstadt, cited complications from cancer treatment as the cause of death.
The first iconic TV role Denver played was that of beatnik Maynard G. Krebs in The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, a comedy that aired from 1959 to 1963. The memorable Maynard was soon overshadowed by the legendary Gilligan, who was shipwrecked with a motley crew of tourists when Gilligan's Island premiered in 1964. Though the series only aired for three seasons before it was canceled, it won generations of fans who have been kept happy with continuing reruns, remakes, and movies. The most recent spin-off is the reality show The Real Gilligan's Island.
Denver moved from LA to West Virginia in the 1970s after he became tired of the television world. He lived out the remainder of his years quietly, cohosting an oldies radio show with his wife, Dreama, and occasionally appearing as himself or Gilligan in TV shows and films and at fan conventions. In 1993, he published the book Gilligan, Maynard, & Me.
Denver's wife and four children--Patrick, Colin, Emily, and Megan--were with him when he died. "Bob is the finest human being I have ever known," Dreama Denver stated. "He was my everything and I will love him forever."
A few words for Bob...
When I was just a little boy
The Tv was my favorite toy
It could always make me laugh or scream
Just turn it on and "instant dream"
I'm a Grandpa now, like you
And as time went on this lil boy grew
And as I did you were there with me
Made me laugh so hard I couldn't see
Countless hours of hysterical fun
But now, it seems, your hours are done
You made me bust a gut and wonder why
But this is the first time that you've made me cry
The world is now a sadder place
Seems I've lost my happy face
And though you go you'll still endure
As your genius has that grand allure
So like that Skipper fuddy duddy
You'll always be my Little Buddy
And I doubt we ever will again
See such a one as "Gilligan"
And we can't forget "Maynard", what a good guy!
You'd say "work" and he'd say "Goodbye!"
A loveable, laughable, good natured goof
Portrayed by a man who was a master of spoof
So many times you brought tears to my eyes
Then I kept laughing til they pert-near went dry...
But in any case, the answer is clear
My life is richer because you were here
I'll miss you Bob, more than you'll know
And I really hate to see you go
So "Thank you" for the smiles and joy
From this old man who's still part boy
One more thing Bob, before I must end
A boon, if you will... a message to send
Say hi to Natalie, Alan and Jim
Hug 'em for me (if you don't mind the whim)...
This would be the amended version of the poem posted at "Maynards Coffeehouse" by Dreama Denver in December of '05.
She sent me the perfect gift from the Gilligans' Gift Gallery site, but has honored be beyond my ability to express by leaving the poem on the site for almost 2 years now.
I hope that everyone that reads this will enjoy it as well and will send it to everyone they know that was touched by this man as well.
I miss you Bob...moreless
God bless him and may his soul rest in peace.
Gilligan was the 1st clcbrity i ever wrote to when i was a kid !! Gonna miss you Little Buddy !!!!
goodbye gilligan. we will miss you.
man, this hits like a ton of bricks i'm sure for alot of tv fans everywhere.....the guy was a class act (despite the pot incident) and a great actor and comedian. but i guess all good things must come to an end.....RIP Mr. Denver, everyone's little buddy....you will be missed :(
One of my all time T.V. buddies gone now. So Sad! :( You'll be missed, Bob.
That is sad. RIP.
Gilligan will be missed as well as Maynard.<br />
<br />
I also enjoyed his Saturday morning series, Far Out Space Nuts (CBS) as well as The New Adventures of Gilligan.<br />
<br />
All we have left is the movie star, the professor & Mary Ann.
:-( So Sad! RIP Gilligan!
See ya later Bob....
Descanse en Paz, Siempre sera recordado en nuestros corazones. Mexico te extrañara Gilligan!
we'll all miss you buddy.
I remember running home from school, everyday to catch Gilligans Island on tv.<br />
Now my 9 year old loves to watch it on dvd.<br />
We love you Little buddy!<br />
Long live Gilligan!
Bob Denver is a television icon who will be missed. He was everybody's little buddy. Thank you Bob Denver for making us laugh for so many years.
Whenever a friend of mine does something stupid, I like to say, "Your hat, Gilligan!" Bob Denver had a great catch phrase from Dobie Gillis that many people probably don't remember. "Woo-oork!" RIP Mr. Denver.
Gilligan rocked!
I never watched Gilligan's Island but I know a lot of people that loved this guy. Sad to see him go!
That's so sad! As someone who has only seen him as Gilligan, I thought that he was a great actor. He will definitely be missed. :(
R.I.P Bob Denver.
My last memory of him was getting in trouble for marijuana possession.Gilligan a Bong head....That would have made the shows a little more interesting.... I always thought he would have made a great real life Shaggy on Scooby Doo but by the time they did it he was too old
:(
Krebs, Maynard G., now up there with Mr. and Mrs. G. and the world's biggest collection of tin foil. Ah, well, cousin Jerome Krebs (Michael J. Pollard) is still with us.
He was a class act & he will be greatly missed.