Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tina Louise
How Tina Louise built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Tina Louise is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Ginger Grant, the glamorous movie star stranded on an island in the iconic television sitcom Gilligan's Island. As the last surviving member of the show's main cast, she holds a unique place in television history, embodying a memorable character from a beloved and enduring pop-culture phenomenon.
1952: Acting Debut in Two's Company
In 1952, Tina Louise made her acting debut in the Bette Davis musical revue "Two's Company".
1957: It's Time for Tina Album Release
In 1957, Tina Louise released her record album, "It's Time for Tina", originally on Concert Hall.
May 1958: Playboy pictorial
In May 1958, Tina Louise appeared in a pictorial for Playboy magazine as part of studio promotion.
1958: Breakthrough role in God's Little Acre
In 1958, Tina Louise had her breakthrough role in the drama film "God's Little Acre," earning her the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year.
1958: Film Debut and "World's Most Beautiful Redhead"
In 1958, Tina Louise made her film debut in "God's Little Acre", and was named the "World's Most Beautiful Redhead" by the National Art Council.
1958: Album Reissue and United Artists Single
In 1958, Tina Louise's album was reissued on Urania Records, and she recorded one single for United Artists Records.
April 1959: Playboy pictorial
In April 1959, Tina Louise appeared in a pictorial for Playboy magazine as part of studio promotion.
1959: Album Reissue
In 1959, Tina Louise's album was reissued on Urania Records.
1960: Italian Cinema Roles
In 1960, Tina Louise starred in the Italian films "The Siege of Syracuse" and "Garibaldi".
1960: Campaigning for John F. Kennedy
In 1960, Tina Louise, a Democrat, campaigned for John F. Kennedy during the presidential race.
1962: Guest Star on The Real McCoys
In 1962, Tina Louise guest-starred on "The Real McCoys", portraying a country girl from West Virginia.
1964: Gilligan's Island and Worries of Typecasting
In 1964, Tina Louise left the Broadway musical "Fade Out – Fade In" to portray Ginger Grant on "Gilligan's Island," later worrying about being typecast.
1969: Love, American Style Appearance
In 1969, Tina Louise and Les Crane appeared together as a fictitious married couple in a segment of "Love, American Style" titled "Love and the Advice-Givers."
1969: The Wrecking Crew
In 1969, Tina Louise appeared in the Matt Helm spy spoof "The Wrecking Crew" with Dean Martin.
1974: Darker Role on Kojak
In 1974, Tina Louise played a heroin addict in an episode of "Kojak" as an effort to get rid of her comedic image.
1975: The Stepford Wives
In 1975, Tina Louise appeared in the film "The Stepford Wives".
1976: Nightmare in Badham County
In 1976, Tina Louise appeared as a cruel corrections officer in the television movie "Nightmare in Badham County."
1977: SST: Death Flight
In 1977, Tina Louise starred in the made-for-TV film "SST: Death Flight".
1978: Dallas
From 1978-1979, Tina Louise acted in the soap opera "Dallas".
1978: Gilligan's Island Sequel Movies
In 1978, Tina Louise chose not to appear in the "Rescue from Gilligan's Island" movie. Other actresses played the role of Ginger in the sequels.
1979: Dallas
From 1978-1979, Tina Louise acted in the soap opera "Dallas".
1979: Gilligan's Island Sequel Movies
In 1979, Tina Louise chose not to appear in the "The Castaways on Gilligan's Island" movie. Other actresses played the role of Ginger in the sequels.
1981: Gilligan's Island Sequel Movies
In 1981, Tina Louise chose not to appear in the "The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island" movie. Other actresses played the role of Ginger in the sequels.
1982: Gilligan's Island Reunion on Good Morning America
In 1982, Tina Louise made a brief walk-on appearance on "Good Morning America" for a Gilligan's Island reunion.
1984: Rituals
In 1984, Tina Louise took over the role of Taylor Chapin on the syndicated soap opera "Rituals".
1987: O.C. and Stiggs
In 1987, Tina Louise co-starred in the Robert Altman comedy "O.C. and Stiggs".
1988: The Late Show Appearance
In 1988, Tina Louise made a brief walk-on appearance on "The Late Show" for Gilligan's Island reunions.
1990: Married... with Children
In 1990, Tina Louise appeared in an episode of "Married... with Children" as Miss Beck.
1992: Johnny Suede
In 1992, Tina Louise appeared in the independently made satire "Johnny Suede" starring Brad Pitt.
1996: Volunteering at Public Schools
Since 1996, Tina Louise had been volunteering at local public schools.
2001: Surviving Gilligan's Island
In 2001, Tina Louise did not reunite with costars for the television film "Surviving Gilligan's Island".
2004: TV Land Award Show Reunion
In 2004, Tina Louise made a brief walk-on appearance at the TV Land award show with the other surviving cast members of Gilligan's Island.
2007: When I Grow Up Book Release
In 2007, Tina Louise donated a portion of the proceeds of her book, "When I Grow Up", to literacy programs.
2012: Album Release on iTunes
In 2012, Tina Louise's album was released on iTunes.
2013: Volunteering at Public Schools
In 2013, Tina Louise said in an interview that she had been volunteering at local public schools since 1996.
2014: Tapestry and Late Phases
In 2014, Tina Louise starred in the spiritual drama "Tapestry" and the horror film "Late Phases".
2016: Campaigning for Hillary Clinton
In 2016, Tina Louise campaigned for Hillary Clinton in the presidential race.
