Did Dawn Wells Live in Idaho?

Dawn Wells, best known for her role as Mary Ann Summers on the hit series “Gilligan’s Island,” lived in Idaho for many years. Born in Reno, Nevada, she moved to Idaho after graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in theater arts.

During her time in Idaho, Wells was active in the local theater scene, appearing in productions of “South Pacific” and “The King and I” at the Boise Little Theater. She also appeared in several television commercials and hosted her own radio show.

In addition to her acting career, Wells was an active member of the community, serving as a board member of the Idaho Commission on the Arts and was an honorary chair of the annual “Idaho Celebrates the Arts” event.

Wells moved to Los Angeles in the late 1960s to pursue her acting career, and eventually became a beloved television icon. Though she no longer lives in Idaho, she continues to be an advocate for the state and its arts community. She has visited several times, most recently in 2016 for a special screening of “Gilligan’s Island” in Boise.

Though Wells’ time in Idaho may have been relatively short, she left a lasting impression on the state. In 2016, she was inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame and is remembered fondly by the many Idahoans she touched.

References:

• IMDb: Dawn Wells Biography
• Idaho Statesman: Dawn Wells returns to Boise for ‘Gilligan’s Island’ screening
• Boise State Public Radio: Dawn Wells: Idaho’s favorite castaway
• Idaho Statesman: Dawn Wells inducted into Idaho Hall of Fame