Alan Hale

After the cancellation of the TV sitcom Gilligan's Island, in which he starred, Alan continued to work steadily, but claimed he lost more roles than he won due to the typecasting his Gilligan's Island character, The Skipper, afforded him. In the last two decades of his life, Hale supplemented his acting income as part-owner of a successful West Hollywood restaurant, The Lobster Barrel. The popular eatery, which was in business for about 15 years during the 70s and 80s, was located on Hollywood's Restaurant Row (826 N. La Cienega Blvd. in Los Angeles, California). Alan often greeted customers wearing a skipper's cap like the one he wore as The Skipper during his Gilligan's Island stint. He would stroll through the restaurant greeting patrons, signing autograph cards, and even giving away several "Skipper" hats from time to time. After Hale's death in 1990, the restaurant became the location for The Shark Bar Restaurant, which proved to be an unsuccessful business venture.

At one time known professionally as Alan Hale Jr., Alan dropped the suffix "Jr." from his stage name after the death of his father, Alan Hale Sr., in 1950.

During an episode of Gilligan's Island, Alan accidentally ripped his pants straight down the seat–- into the camera. Co-star Bob Denver wanted the shot to be used, but Hale insisted not, since he wasn't wearing the Skipper's trademark boxer shorts with the hearts on them.