Celebrating the Legacy of Gilligan’s Island and Bob Denver

Dreama Denver shares stories from her marriage to Bob Denver and discusses her new book celebrating the 60th anniversary of Gilligan’s Island on WRCO Radio

It’s the 60th anniversary of Gilligan’s Island and a new book is celebrating the legacy of both the show and Bob Denver, the man behind the main character. Dreama Denver joined Phil Nee on WRCO Radio to talk about her life with the television star, his legendary role as Gilligan, and her book Island to Icon: The Many Lives of Bob Denver.

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LISTEN to the entire interview with Dreama Denver here:

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Dreama tells Phil people still ask if Bob was as goofy in real life as his character Gilligan. 

“They think he actually fell out of hammocks and got hit with coconuts in real life,” she says. “But Bob was an incredibly intelligent, well-read man who taught me so much during our 30 years together. He also managed to bring the best to his career, seamlessly balancing wordplay comedy with physical humor.”

When asked why Gilligan’s Island remains a cultural touchstone for six decades, Dreama offers her husband’s simple but profound explanation. 

“You can’t place the show in any particular time period. It was set on an island with no cars, no modern furniture, and no phones. There’s nothing that dates it. It’s timeless,” Dreama explains. “The show represented a more innocent time, something families today appreciate as they introduce their children to the lighthearted adventures of the castaways.”

Throughout the interview with Phil, Dreama reminisces about the talented cast, her personal friendship with co-star Dawn Wells (Mary Ann), and the many personal connections Bob maintained with his former colleagues. She also shared little-known stories about Bob’s experiences meeting legends like Jimmy Buffett and how the Gilligan’s Island cast received a standing ovation from thousands of Buffett fans at a concert.

Dreama also tells Phil she continues her work with The Denver Foundation. She and Bob started the organization to support families dealing with special needs, inspired by their son Colin’s autism diagnosis. 

“Bob stepped away from Hollywood to give full-time care to our son,” she shares. “His dedication to our family was just as strong as his commitment to his fans.”

Dreama also reveals her book, Island to Icon, provides a rich, pictorial journey through Bob Denver’s career. And it features stories and memories fans won’t find anywhere else. 

“It’s bittersweet to work on these projects,” Dreama says. “But it’s also such a comfort to celebrate Bob and keep his legacy alive. He gave me a path in life that serves me well even now, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”