Who can forget the warmth of Mary Ann Summers on “Gilligan’s Island?” She and Tina Louise are the last cast members still standing from the original series; signaling almost the end of an era. Her role on the show brought her great success, starring in TV shows, films, and even has her own show at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in 1985. She was ranked in 2005 for her leading role as one of TV Guide’s “50 Sexiest Stars of All Time.”
But whilst she is a star, she too is only human. Just this year, a good friend of Dawn Wells, Dugg Kirkpatrick planned to launch a fundraiser to help the “Gilligan’s Island” star pay off medical bills. Within ten days, over $140,000 was raised by loyal fans. Sadly, Dawn passed away in December 2020, she was 82 years old.
Cheryl Ladd
Back to back, we have another "Charlie’s Angels" star: Cheryl Ladd. Replacing Farrah Fawcett after only one season, Ladd, like Smith, remained on the show for the entire run. Using her fame on the TV series, Ladd furthered her musical career, performing the National anthem during the 1980 Super Bowl XIV, as well as releasing three albums! Her popularity on TV led to a number of TV films, including a role as the iconic Grace Kelly.
Other guest appearances, such as on TV shows such as "Charmed" and "CSI: Miami" proved successful, before finally landing a 29-episode run on TV drama series "Las Vegas." Recently, she starred in "Unforgettable," albeit the film received negative reviews. Regardless, she’ll always be an Angel to us!
Farrah Fawcett
To round out our trio is the face which perhaps epitomizes "Charlie’s Angels:" blonde bombshell Farrah Fawcett. A fan favorite, Jill Monroe was the girl everyone wanted to be, or be with! Salty fans say the show wasn’t the same after her brief stint, despite the show running for almost another decade! Best known for her bouncy golden locks, and that cheeky red-bikini, Fawcett was a four-time Emmy, and six-time Golden Globe nominee.
In the later years of her life, Fawcett, in a controversial, and deeply-saddening move, filmed a “video diary” of her illness, titled Farrah’s Story, documenting her struggle with cancer, and ultimately, losing her battle. She passed away at age 62 in 2009. She will be long remembered, and greatly missed by Hollywood, and the world.
Marina Sirtis
Born in London to Greek parents, her parents fought with her so she would not become an actress. Secretly applying to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Sirtis was determined to make it. And make it she did! Best known as Counselor Deanna Troi on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" as well as the feature films which followed, Sirtis hilariously remarked; “I was originally cast to be the brains of the Enterprise. Somehow, I became The Chick."
"There’s a little ugly girl inside of me going “Yay! I’m a sex symbol!” A true ugly duckling story! See girls; dreams do come true! The British-American actress followed her "Star Trek" role with appearances in "Crash," "Grey’s Anatomy" and "NCIS." In more recent times, Sirtis was in the movie "As Greek As It Gets."
Mary-Kate And Ashley Olsen
The Olsen twins shot to fame in the 90s, with nascent acting careers, beginning at just six months old! The globally recognized fraternal twins these days shy away from the spotlight, however, are making waves in the fashion world, with their “bohemian-bourgeois” brands The Row and Elizabeth and James appearing on celebrities, in major department stores, as well as on high-end fashion sites Farfetch, Net-A-Porter and MatchesFashion.
Their company Dualstar, which released their own home décor, fragrance and teen-apparel lines, saw them appear on the 2007 Forbes list as the eleventh-richest women in the biz, with a net worth of $100 million. Talented, and business-savvy. Maybe baby Ari was right when she sang “God is a woman?"