Gilligan’s Island. Gilligan's Island was a situation comedy that aired for three seasons from 1964 until 1967. The show had an cast that featured Bob Denver (1935-2005), Alan Hale, Jr., Jim Backus (1913-1989), Natalie Schafer (1900-1991), Russell Johnson, Tina Louise (1934- ), and Dawn Wells (1938- ). The show followed the comic adventures of seven castaways as they attempted to survive the island on which they had been shipwrecked. Most episodes revolve around the dissimilar castaways' conflicts and their unsuccessful attempts, for whose failure Gilligan was frequently responsible, to escape their plight. 8” x 10” black and white cast photograph signed by Backus, Denver, Louise (who adds: To Mike Best Wishes”), Schaffer and Wells.